Expats getting a Covid-19 vaccine in Pattaya for dummies with emphasis on expats outside the Thai system

[WaveHunter]

3 minutes ago, VaccineHunter said:

Jingthing I wanted to be proactive and help you with the good news that there is a option for you to get vaccinated and all you do is to complain about it. I rest my case. 

I know you're trying to be helpful on this thread but I think it's unfair to criticize any of us who have been diligently trying to find a solution only to be shot down repeatedly.  It's incredibly frustrating.

[Jingthing]

Taking a more macro look at this fiasco.

 

IF the public health goal of the Thai authorities is for all (or most like 70 percent) higher risk expats all over Thailand to get jabs in a timely manner, does this absurd only in person Bangkok pre-registration scheme even begin to meet that goal? So a few percentage will get vaccinated this way. I can only conclude that the public health goal here does NOT include us to a significant level. 

Edited July 5, 2021 by Jingthing

[VaccineHunter]

3 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

I know you're trying to be helpful on this thread but I think it's unfair to criticize any of us who have been diligently trying to find a solution only to be shot down repeatedly.  It's incredibly frustrating.

Is that directed at me? 

[WaveHunter]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

But even best case scenario, if this "pre" registration actually goes through, is to first travel to Bangkok with no expectation of even the first jab, right?

Why can't they make that ONLINE?!?

Well I don't even know what "pre-registration" means.  I mean, like George Carlin once joked about how airlines always do pre-boarding, "What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?"

Edited July 5, 2021 by WaveHunter

[VaccineHunter]

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What option? One of two hospitals already CLOSED.

You're blaming me for not being happy for this ridiculous situation?

If that gives you pleasure, enjoy. 

Thats not the point, its basic courtesy to acknowledge  that I made you aware that the site now offers new choices that didn't exist yesterday when you were complaining about there being no options. Instead you chose to complain to me about it rather than be grateful that people try to help you here. 

[Jingthing]

Also demands to be asked and answered  (which it won't be obviously) , if this is the new scheme, why aren't there hospitals near expat population centers all over Thailand being included in it?

Why only Bangkok?

To add, for all intents and purposes thailandintervac.com is CLOSED if they never open up again for any ONLINE registration function.

 

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, VaccineHunter said:

Thats not the point, its basic courtesy to acknowledge  that I made you aware that the site now offers new choices that didn't exist yesterday when you were complaining about there being no options. Instead you chose to complain to me about it rather than be grateful that people try to help you here. 

OK, thank you for the heads up about that. I would have found that myself as I check at least daily, but I did hear it from you first.

The site is non-functional if all it does it send out announcements, with no other online function. 

They could do what they did today with press releases.

[WaveHunter]

11 minutes ago, VaccineHunter said:

Is that directed at me? 

...about your comment to JingThing, "...Jingthing I wanted to be proactive and help you with the good news that there is a option for you to get vaccinated and all you do is to complain about it. I rest my case. 

 

I'm sure your proactive help was appreciated, but as I found out, one of the hospitals knows nothing about it and just closed down their regular registration today. 

 

Perhaps the InterVac statement has not been told to them yet (That's what the nurse at Samitivej told me).  Do you think this is not frustrating. 

 

The nurse I spoke with sure felt it was frustrating from her perspective that the Ministry of Health does not communicate with the hospitals well.  It's like "the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing"

 

There's a big difference between what one can offer as proactive advice and what the actual situation really turns out to be...and so far, every single registration scheme has sounded great initially and then just gone to hell.

 

Right now, it's a complete crapshoot on whether or not you can get registered for vaccination as a foreigner...and it just shouldn't be that way!

Edited July 5, 2021 by WaveHunter

[Harry2]

I would suggest folks follow the Thailand Intervac website directly:

https://thailandintervac.com

 

It says this about Pyathai where I had my jab, note it opens in a week's time on 12th. As I explained in my Sunday post, there is an English language email service available which was fast & helpful at: [email protected]

 

"1. Phyathai 2 Hospital

 

Pre-registration: 12-16 July from 09.00-12.00 hours only (via phyathai2international.com)

Vaccination Period: 19-30 July 2021 (except weekends)"

[Harry2]

Also although I went to my appointment via coach on 7th, next time I will go by car/taxi @ around B2k return. That way you diminish infection risk considerably & also reduce travel stress. Believe me I would have preferred a PTY hospital to BKK but if this is the available option seize it.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, Harry2 said:

I would suggest folks follow the Thailand Intervac website directly:

https://thailandintervac.com

 

It says this about Pyathai where I had my jab, note it opens in a week's time on 12th. As I explained in my Sunday post, there is an English language email service available which was fast & helpful at: [email protected]

 

"1. Phyathai 2 Hospital

 

Pre-registration: 12-16 July from 09.00-12.00 hours only (via phyathai2international.com)

Vaccination Period: 19-30 July 2021 (except weekends)"

Wait a second there.

Are you saying we can do PRE registration online at their site?

[Harry2]

Just now, Jingthing said:

Wait a second there.

Are you saying we can do PRE registration online at their site?

That is what they are saying from the 12th!

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, Harry2 said:

That is what they are saying from the 12th!

How exactly?

What is needed exactly to do that?

I just looked at the site and whatever structure that they might have for that on that date doesn't appear to be there now.

Not saying you would know, just a heads up.

 

Edited July 5, 2021 by Jingthing

[WaveHunter]

2 minutes ago, Harry2 said:

I would suggest folks follow the Thailand Intervac website directly:

https://thailandintervac.com

 

It says this about Pyathai where I had my jab, note it opens in a week's time on 12th. As I explained in my Sunday post, there is an English language email service available which was fast & helpful at: [email protected]

 

"1. Phyathai 2 Hospital

 

Pre-registration: 12-16 July from 09.00-12.00 hours only (via phyathai2international.com)

Vaccination Period: 19-30 July 2021 (except weekends)"

Thanks for the email addy for Phyathai Hospital and feedback on your experience with contacting them that way.  I was planning to contact them tomorrow to see if registration can be by phone or it must be in person (I'm hoping the former).  Nice to know that they respond to email as well.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, WaveHunter said:

Thanks for the email addy for Phyathai Hospital and feedback on your experience with contacting them that way.  I was planning to contact them tomorrow to see if registration can be by phone or it must be in person (I'm hoping the former).  Nice to know that they respond to email as well.

Sounds like they might be having an online option. Whatever you find out about that, please post it here.

[VaccineHunter]

1 minute ago, WaveHunter said:

...about your comment to JingThing, "...Jingthing I wanted to be proactive and help you with the good news that there is a option for you to get vaccinated and all you do is to complain about it. I rest my case. 

 

I'm sure your proactive help was appreciated, but as I found out, one of the hospitals knows nothing about it and just closed down their regular registration today. 

 

Perhaps the InterVac statement has not been told to them yet (That's what the nurse at Samitivej told me).  Do you think this is not frustrating. 

 

The nurse I spoke with sure felt it was frustrating from her perspective that the Ministry of Health does not communicate with the hospitals well.  It's like "the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing"

 

There's a big difference what one can offer as proactive advice and what the actual situation really turns out to be...and so far, every single registration scheme has sounded great and then gone to hell.

The moment I saw changes on the intervac site I turned to this forum to inform you guys about it despite me actually already being vaccinated what more do you expect? Of course all this is frustrating but that does not justify being rude and ungrateful to the posters on this forum who try to help. At least not from my perspective - please explain me why you think otherwise? We should be focused on getting all of us vaccinated and at the moment this is the only feasible route I am aware of. If you know a better option please share.

[Harry2]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

How exactly?

What is needed exactly to do that?

I just looked at the site and whatever structure that they might have for that on that dates doesn't appear to be there now.

Not saying you would know, just a heads up.

 

I would contact them via the email I gave, but is seems likely that on the 12th they will have their own registration web service - given they were IMO efficient in handling the vaccination process I actually think this is a positive development vs registration via Intervac. For more details refer to my posts on Sunday.

[VaccineHunter]

14 minutes ago, Harry2 said:

Also although I went to my appointment via coach on 7th, next time I will go by car/taxi @ around B2k return. That way you diminish infection risk considerably & also reduce travel stress. Believe me I would have preferred a PTY hospital to BKK but if this is the available option seize it.

I used the  Bolt app and it was 1089 Bath from Phrathamnak to PhyaThai 2 one way and the driver was happy to bring me back for the same amount plus highway fees. Agree this is the safer bet with the raging Delta Variant.

Edited July 5, 2021 by VaccineHunter

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, Harry2 said:

I would contact them via the email I gave, but is seems likely that on the 12th they will have their own registration web service - given they were IMO efficient in handling the vaccination process I actually think this is a positive development vs registration via Intervac. For more details refer to my posts on Sunday.

I agree if the hospitals handle it directly that would be a positive change from intervac.

But I'm going to go macro again. 

Why only Bangkok? 

[WaveHunter]

Just now, Jingthing said:

How exactly?

What is needed exactly to do that?

I just looked at the site and whatever structure that they might have for that on that dates doesn't appear to be there now.

Not saying you would know, just a heads up.

 

The nurse I spoke with advised not to even bother checking their website becuase they, and probably most other hospitals, do not post that kind of information simply because it happens so quick and is so subject to changes. 

 

Best bet is to call them or email them.  I just emailed Phyathai at [email protected], and will call them tomorrow morning as well.

 

Phone numbers I have for Phyathai are 

• 1772

• +662-617-2444 ext. 2020, 2021, 5221

For Samitivej Hospital

• 02 378 9000
• 033 030 100 (One of the branches that has a special number for foreigners)

• +66 2022 2222

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, WaveHunter said:

The nurse I spoke with advised not to even bother checking their website becuase they, and probably most other hospitals, do not post that kind of information simply because it happens so quick and is so subject to changes. 

 

Best bet is to call them or email them.  I just emailed Phyathai at [email protected], and will call them tomorrow morning as well.

 

Phone numbers I have for Phyathai are 

• 1772

• +662-617-2444 ext. 2020, 2021, 5221

For Samitivej Hospital

• 02 378 9000
• 033 030 100 (One of the branches that has a special number for foreigners)

• +66 2022 2222

Confused again.

So you're saying Phyathai probably won't be opening for online registrations on July 12? How are "normal" people supposed to keep up with all of this? 

[WaveHunter]

6 minutes ago, VaccineHunter said:

The moment I saw changes on the intervac site I turned to this forum to inform you guys about it despite me actually already being vaccinated what more do you expect? Of course all this is frustrating but that does not justify being rude and ungrateful to the posters on this forum who try to help. At least not from my perspective - please explain me why you think otherwise? We should be focused on getting all of us vaccinated and at the moment this is the only feasible route I am aware of. If you know a better option please share.

I'm not criticizing your desire to help, only your criticism directed at those of us who are getting really frustrated with all of the great sounding opportunities to register that, one by one, just turn to garbage before almost anyone can take advantage of them.

Edited July 5, 2021 by WaveHunter

[VaccineHunter]

Just now, WaveHunter said:

I'm not criticizing your desire to help, only our criticism directed at those of us who are getting really frustrated with all of the great sounding opportunities to register that, one by one, just turn to garbage before almost anyone can take advantage of them.

Understood, lets band together and help each other! I got my first shot already but want to help out and make sure all can get vaxxed asap.

[WaveHunter]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Confused again.

So you're saying Phyathai probably won't be opening for online registrations on July 12? How are "normal" people supposed to keep up with all of this? 

I only spoke to a nurse at Samitivej, not PhyaThai.  All that I know about PhyaThai at this point is what is on the InterVac site (and we all know how reliable that has proved to be so far)...so I am calling them in the morning to find out the actual facts.

 

According to the InerVac site:

Pre-registration: 12-16 July from 09.00-12.00 hours only (via phyathai2international.com)

 

I'm hoping a phone call to them tomorrow confirms that to be true (and also hoping the "pre registration" can be done by phone and not a personal visit)...and also that it will not close down hours after it opens!

Edited July 5, 2021 by WaveHunter

[VaccineHunter]

38 minutes ago, WaveHunter said:

No, I don;t think so.  When she said registration just closed, I told her that the pre-registration scheme had only appeared on InterVac today.  She said she knew nothing about InterVac's "pre-registration" and was only referring to the hospital's normal registration.  She said perhaps the InterVac's scheme would go into effect in the next day or so but at this time, she had no information on it.

 

I believe what she said becuase she put our call on hold for about 5 minutes while she checked with another department for any details of InterVac that she might not have heard of, so she was very thorough, and BTW she was a senior nurse so I think she really knew what she was talking about.

 

She expressed frustration about communication between the Ministry of Health and the hospital, saying there were often delays between public announcements and the hospital being informed.

 

Her advice was to just start making periodic phone calls directly to the hospital's call center becuase thing change so rapidly with Covid vaccination registration that most hospital don;t even put any information on their websites.

To be honest I would actually go there directly and talk to their most senior person on the ground ... I know not convenient but doable.

[WaveHunter]

50 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's another good point. Even two doses of Sinovac if that's what you get won't be the end of this wild goose chase.

Take it easy Buddy; you're gonna whip yourself into a frenzy.  Just saying that in a good natured way.  I  mean you gotta take all of this in stride, one step at a time, or it will drive you insane.

 

[jacko45k]

9 hours ago, WaveHunter said:

I know you're trying to be helpful on this thread but I think it's unfair to criticize any of us who have been diligently trying to find a solution only to be shot down repeatedly.  It's incredibly frustrating.

Perhaps is too for those at the other end... they have to interact. You do seem to be commanding a lot of their resources. Is it really worth all the stress?

[Guderian]

Someone's enjoying this mullarky, lol!

 

[Surelynot]

1 minute ago, Guderian said:

Someone's enjoying this mullarky, lol!

 

How Chinese is that face?

[NanLaew]

12 hours ago, WaveHunter said:

Well I don't even know what "pre-registration" means.  I mean, like George Carlin once joked about how airlines always do pre-boarding, "What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?"

 

I thought only Delta did the pre-boarding malarkey? I had never flown with them until circumstances dictated I needed to connect at Hartsfield-Jackson. Despite languishing in their own lounge during the 5-hour layover, they never advertised 'pre-boarding' as a requirement, either by announcement or on the screens. So, when I saw the display say 'gate open', I rocked on up, presented the boarding pass they had given me at the transit desk only a few hours earlier only to have them hand it back to me and snort derisively, "Where were you for the pre-boarding? We have given your seat to another passenger already,"

 

I did get on through a combination of luck and their absolute ineptitude and got an upgrade to the front of the bus.

 

Then they lost my bags.

 

Now, back to our regular programming.