Thai health ministry denies they are giving free jabs to expats - Thais come first

[webfact]

Thai health ministry denies they are giving free jabs to expats - Thais come first

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand has denied that they are giving free Covid-19  jabs to foreign expats living in Thailand.

 

This comes as some expats went on Thaivisa to say they had successfully registered for the jabs for the over 60s in June and July. 

 

Print media in Thailand quoted the ministry as strongly denying this was the case. 

 

Rungruang Kitpati said that vaccines right now were reserved for high risk Thais and Thais in high risk areas. 

 

Expats would have to wait for further details from the government though they were told there would be more alternatives later and not to worry.

 

They would be able to get jabs when there was a "surplus". 

 

The message as reported in the media was clear: Thais would be given priority in the vaccine rollout. 

 

Some Thaivisa members had reported on related threads that they had been successful in registering. Others said they were unable to. 

 

Yet more said they would wait until they could pay for a vaccination at a private hospital where they may get a choice of VAX. 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-05-05

 

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[John Drake]

This had to happen. I've seen the same thing occur when I worked in a notable Thai institution. Farangs think they've found a loophole to acquire the same benefit as Thais, and a few weeks later, word comes saying, no. Nothing to be done about it. I expected this and said as much four days ago. It is really, really terrible that some expats who need to be in the front of the line will not get the vaccine. Stupid and immoral. But I could easily see someone going up for their "appointment" and being pulled out of line and told to go home. My rule: if it looks like the authorities are trying to exclude you, they are trying to exclude you, and they will exclude you. 

Edited May 5, 2021 by John Drake

[internationalism]

as expected.

there won't be also a chance for private hospitals, sometimes at he end of year.

so take any other vax now, to boost immune system and if desperate, travel somewhere for a vax holiday 

 

Edited May 5, 2021 by internationalism

[Crossy]

Indeed no real surprise although I thought that the CCSA who made this announcement were part of the Health Ministry.

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215441-expats-in-thailand-to-receive-covid-19-vaccinations-free-of-charge/

 

Left hand and right hand as usual.

 

[darksidedog]

Seems the system allowed anyone to register regardless of origin. Because a few farang slipped through the net we have people up in arms and the Government duly folded. I wonder the furore back home if our governments started denying people their allocated vaccine slot based on race?

[Dmaxdan]

This is disgusting, plain and simple.

In one fell swoop, Thailand has proven that it is fifty years behind the rest of the world.

 

[kotsak]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

They would be able to get jabs when there was a "surplus". 

 

Please do care and explain to us the meek and children of a lesser god, how you define surplus within a timeframe? 

[tgw]

Apparently, the administration has its own mind and applies laws in the way it pleases.

 

I have seen this several times already - the law says one thing, in theory including foreigners in its application, and then the administration, on it's own, decides it's "Thai only" or "non-directors only" or whatever.

 

One example is the registration with Thai social security - the law says anyone receiving a salary can register, but the SS office refuses to register directors. With no legal basis.
Another example is registration of an usufruct - Land offices just refuse to do it. Without any legal basis again. Land offices are just there to officially register legal acts permitted by law, not to decide whether they want to accept or not to do it, they should have no say at all other than requiring the necessary documents.
I'm sure there are many other examples.

 

[tingtong]

Even a simple covid test comes most places with a farang surcharge, 1000s more...not that I really understand why it cost still do much.

 

I am sure Thailand will find a way to eventually spin things to be able to charge for farangs for the jab, at an extra high price.

 

Question remains though that what they plan to do with the lot larger size but lot poorer migrant population of myanmar, lao, cambodia ppl here when they seem to the first to blame for the virus, thus getting them vaccinated last doesn't make sense?

[Surelynot]

I am tempted to pop down to Khlong Toei.....get a dose and then stand at the entrance to Central World coughing and licking door handles.

[JonnyF]

So having paid significant amounts of income tax every year for the last 15 years, I go to the back of the queue for the vaccine.

 

I can't even pay for it at a private hospital because the government wants to make money from shady deals on domestic vaccine production.

 

Great job Thailand. A new low.

[WineOh]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Great job Thailand. A new low.

makes you feel so welcome, doesn't it?

 

If I didn't have mouths to feed I would be out of here like a shot.

Enough is enough.

 

[scubascuba3]

More daily vaccine B<deleted>

[Surelynot]

I am, and we all should, write to our embassy/consulate and demand they put pressure on the Thai government over this issue.

 

I see the government is also gearing up to sell the vaccine to companies.........so perfectly healthy, unlikely to be ill, 18 to 40 year olds will be vaccinated well before much higher risk groups.

[justcantmakeitup]

 

Hoho, the Masters Of U-turnity are at it again ....

Ur havin a laff!

[smedly]

seems that foreigners in Thailand don't get covid - spread covid or die from covid

 

This health minister a real genius and we all thought he had the intelligence and memory of a goldfish 

[Dogmatix]

It should have been easy enough to block registration from ID numbers with prefixes that are not issued to Thais, except for the prefix "8" that can be issued to both Thais and foreigners with PR.  I guess someone just screwed up or maybe a dissident in the MoPH who misguidedly thought it was good public health policy to vaccinate everyone. 

[Crossy]

8 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

So having paid significant amounts of income tax every year for the last 15 years, I go to the back of the queue for the vaccine.

I can't even pay for it at a private hospital because the government wants to make money from shady deals on domestic vaccine production.

 

To be honest I wouldn't mind paying if I got a choice of jab.

 

Meanwhile I took Madam to the hospital for her annual flu-jab, hospital asked if I wanted one (free). Sadly it turns out I'm too young as yet (Yes, my Thai wife is older than I am, she looks far better than I do mind).

 

[Excel]

3 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

I am, and we all should, write to our embassy/consulate and demand they put pressure on the Thai government over this issue.

 

I see the government is also gearing up to sell the vaccine to companies.........so perfectly healthy, unlikely to be ill, 18 to 40 year olds will be vaccinated well before much higher risk groups.

And what parallel universe are you living in ? "write to our embassy/consulate and demand they put pressure on the Thai government over this issue" you say.  Most embassies don't give a Tinkers cuss about their nationals, certainly that is true of the British embassy,  so your statement is nothing but wishful thinking that will never happen.

[Boomer6969]

Got this email yesterday:

 

"Dear Colleagues,

 

The Royal Thai Government (RTG) have committed to vaccinating UN personnel and dependents as part of the Thai national immunization plan. To help plan for UN personnel vaccination roll-out in June the RTG have asked for completion of a ‘survey’ to assess potential demand.

 

We request you to complete the following survey by noon on Thursday, 6 May 2021 to indicate your willingness to be vaccinated <link removed> UN personnel should also complete a separate form for each dependent/household member who is over 18 years of age and willing to be vaccinated. The UN System has been requested by the RTG to submit by Friday, 7 May 2021.

 

As you know, Thailand is currently experiencing ongoing community transmission of COVID-19, with many of the current ‘third wave’ cases arising from one of the far more transmissible variants of concern. We are all at risk of exposure to COVID-19. It is highly recommended that we all get vaccinated and consider carefully the merits of vaccination as a means to protect ourselves, our family, particularly the elderly and those at with underlying health conditions, our colleagues and the community.

 

What we know:

• The RTG has advised that vaccination with the AstraZenica vaccine will be offered free of charge to UN personnel and dependents over the age of 18 in June.
• Note this is not a registration form for vaccination.
• Vaccination against COVID-19 is a proven effective method to reduce the most severe forms of COVID-19 including hospitalization, the need for critical care in an ICU and death.

 

What we do not know:

• The date and location of vaccination will be announced in due course.
• The UN system is completing this survey based on the definition as outlined UN system-wide vaccination programme.

 

At this stage, no health information is collected due to confidentiality. But UN personnel will need to indicate any underlying health condition at the time of vaccination. "

 

Just wonder if it will be worth a trip to Bangkok, and the subsequent home quarantine..

Edited May 5, 2021 by blackcab
Link removed

[holy cow cm]

Good to know that racism and discrimination are alive and well here. And here I thought compassion was taking a leading edge. Not!

[Surelynot]

5 minutes ago, Boomer6969 said:

We are all at risk of exposure to COVID-19. It is highly recommended that we all get vaccinated and consider carefully the merits of vaccination as a means to protect ourselves, our family, particularly the elderly and those at with underlying health conditions, our colleagues and the community.

....except expats.

[KannikaP]

30 minutes ago, kotsak said:

 

Please do care and explain to us the meek and children of a lesser god, how you define surplus within a timeframe? 

Well with only 600,000 registering on Mor Prom when they expected 16 million, I think there may be an excess of Chinese vaccine.

[JonnyF]

17 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

To be honest I wouldn't mind paying if I got a choice of jab.

Me too. I'm fine paying.

 

Unfortunately the unbridled, limitless greed of this government is preventing that option as well.

[Dmaxdan]

It is about time that the World Health Organization got involved with and sorted out this so called government.

I would imagine that they are disgusted by their treatment of foreigners over this pandemic.

 

 

 

 

[Minime]

I think all UK citizens here should email our Ambassador for Thailand (Brian.Davidson2 @ fcdo.gov.uk)   and express our disgust at this blatant discrimination, after all the UK is offering free test and vaccines to all Thai nationals residing in the UK and that is a fact.

[Surelynot]

13 minutes ago, Excel said:

And what parallel universe are you living in ? "write to our embassy/consulate and demand they put pressure on the Thai government over this issue" you say.  Most embassies don't give a Tinkers cuss about their nationals, certainly that is true of the British embassy,  so your statement is nothing but wishful thinking that will never happen.

What's your favorite song?......."Always look on the bright side of life"?

[Surelynot]

13 minutes ago, Minime said:

I think all UK citizens here should email our Ambassador for Thailand (Brian.Davidson2 @ fcdo.gov.uk)   and express our disgust at this blatant discrimination, after all the UK is offering free test and vaccines to all Thai nationals residing in the UK and that is a fact.

Is there an alternative email address?.....Hotmail is saying "not found"

Edited May 5, 2021 by Surelynot

[holy cow cm]

4 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

The water monitor that visits our pond might disagree ????

It is yet of a double meaning if we are truly behind the cockroach and water monitor lizard. I surely hope it is not that bad.

[smedly]

23 minutes ago, WineOh said:

I would be out of here like a shot

back of the line for a shot - Thais first

 

The Genius master of diplomacy Anutin has spoken 

 

When are the the foreign tourists coming back - we need them so much