How very BIG..... not of the Thai Government for the expat community

[4MyEgo]

The Government confirmed that foreigners who had registered via the Mor Prom app or the LINE app would not be offered vaccinations in the June or July roll out.

 

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/vaccines-reserved-to-thais-not-expats-public-health-ministry

 

Open to hear everyone's take on how they feel about this.

 

Personally I can understand the elderly people, and those over 60 with pre-existing conditions need to be vaccinated first for obvious reasons, but saying Thai's first, expats later, shows me how the Thai's really are in my opinion, well behind the rest of the developed world.

 

I take this with a grain of salt, am I bitter, I suppose you could say that I am, but then again, me more the fool for believing that the Thai's would put "anyone" other than themselves first before others, regardless if they are in the high risk category. Survival of the fittest, this is not just a war about a virus, it's a war of being treated humanly in a situation such as this.

 

Not allowing us to pay for vaccinations at private hospitals makes it worse as our lives are in their hands unfortunately, and more the fools the Australian government for donating 68 million baht to the Thai Government without any consideration for their expats, i.e. even our own government has washed it's hands of us, shame the Thai government and more so the Australian government, but then again, did we really expect anything different, well I did for a while.

 

Rant over.   

[internationalism]

international media will pick up on this.

anutin will land himself in hot water again, will apologise and delete offending post on social media.

Those who registered should turn up and loudly protest, if refused. Take kids and family for a back up. Post video of commotion on social media, for the world to see.

In the 21c nationalism and racism smell badly

[Caldera]

This is bound to make Thailand look very bad. I don't know of any other country that prioritizes access to Covid-19 vaccines by nationality. Different countries do have different priorities, but they are usually applied to all residents regardless of nationality.

 

[sqwakvfr]

If this keeps up I might have to fly to Los Angeles and get jabbed at my local Wal Mart Pharmacy(many time slots open).  Also, some have the Moderna and some even have the J&J on shot vaccine.  The biggest obstacle (besides the cost) is the unknown nature of Re-entry into LOS.  My fear is that the leadership of this country might institute a 21 day quarantine?  As it stands right if one enters Singapore from a high risk country then they are placed on a 21 day SHN(Stay Home Notice). In SIN one is tracked by the government to ensure compliance and violators are arrested.  

 

It would be a miracle if foreigners are given a chance to get vaccinated by the end of the year(I hope I am wrong).  

[friendofthai]

How does it feels like when you are a patriotic foreigner, fighting against "vaccine diplomacy" of China and Russia, posting links to credible news source like Reuters to prove your words? You feel that you are the winner. The rest of the world is buying very little of Chinese and Russian vaccines and billions of people will wait for years to get their Pfizer dose! This is a great victory in the informational vaccine battle.
You open the window and suddenly see that you are neither in USA nor in UK. You are in the "rest of the world". And you brain is beginning to suspect that something is wrong with your epic victory in the informational vaccine battle.
 

[4MyEgo]

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

 

It would be a miracle if foreigners are given a chance to get vaccinated by the end of the year(I hope I am wrong). 

 

I just got back from my local Dr's having had the annual Flu shot and my wife asked her about the Mor Prom appointment and that she registered me and this Dr works at the local hospital and is high up. She said to the wife, it is Thai's first and farangs will probably get vaccinated by the end of the year and there will probably be about 7 vaccines by then, but she doubts that the vaccines will be free.

 

Sorry to deliver the bad news, all we can do is hit our Facebook pages posting the news of how Thailand treats anyone other than Thai's and hope it sends a clear message to those intending to come here, regardless of retirement, or tourism, because as far as I am concerned, this is out right racism at it's highest level, and I agree, I haven't heard of any other country treating expats or tourists like this.

 

No doubt I will remember this, but won't take it out on the Thai people because it's not their doing, it's their incompetent governments doing, they cannot see the benefit of vaccinating everyone as soon as possible to reach herd immunity, nothing to do with Thai's.....idiots !!! 

[daveAustin]

13 hours ago, Caldera said:

This is bound to make Thailand look very bad. I don't know of any other country that prioritizes access to Covid-19 vaccines by nationality. Different countries do have different priorities, but they are usually applied to all residents regardless of nationality.

Don't forget, Thailand is special.

[Ralf001]

Countries that have donated money to Thailand to assist with a vaccine rollout should ask for their money back.

[Jingthing]

I wonder how many expats actually booked that way. 

I also wonder if people will still show up to be kicked out and what interesting "scenes" they will be.

Youtubers seeking viral stuff? 

[Jingthing]

If it isn't very many expats that were clever enough and had the magic number to make those bookings, couldn't they just be good sports and grandfather them in?  

[meechai]

18 hours ago, internationalism said:

international media will pick up on this.

anutin will land himself in hot water again,

 

^^^This^^^

Sadly Anutin was never called Sun by his father because gawd help him he is just not that bright ????

 

That aside...Face it Thailand leadership is a oxymoron because they constantly lack any form of intelligence

 

If the Vaccine is to be of any use to Thailand it should be the same as other countries period...

IE: Those over 65 meaning any HUMAN over 65 first to receive a vaccine if they want it

Next the Humans from 55-65 etc etc etc

 

That is no different than women & children first evac from any sinking ship eh?

Meaning weakest ...most in need...first

 

 

Edited May 6, 2021 by meechai

[simon43]

Living in Laos, I received my first AZ shot last week - free of course.  Laos has been rolling out AZ, Sputnik V and Sinovac for weeks already, for all priority groups, (I'm 61 years old), as well as  the general younger population, regardless of whether they are Lao citizens or foreigners.

 

Thailand - the only country in the world where Covid-19 virus only infects citizens of that country and not non-citizens ????

[Bkk Brian]

Amazing really, AZ developed in the UK by Oxford UNI, rights given to Thailand to produce it and then this by the Thai gov. Quite astounding. 

[CharlieH]

This should be about PEOPLE not nationality or immigration status !

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Amazing really, AZ developed in the UK by Oxford UNI, rights given to Thailand to produce it and then this by the Thai gov. Quite astounding. 

I have posted this comment many times on this forum.....we,as foreigners are not really wanted or welcomed by the current authorities here...only our money is welcomed....it would be better if all foreigners upon arrival left their wallets/purses/credit cards in the bins provided at Immigration and returned home immediately by the same mode of transport. 

[4MyEgo]

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I wonder how many expats actually booked that way. 

I also wonder if people will still show up to be kicked out and what interesting "scenes" they will be.

Youtubers seeking viral stuff? 

 

I won't be going, they have made it clear that it Thai's first, always been that way as far as I can remember back to 2005.

 

I will however keep the appointment for June 7 in case they change their minds, again, and again, and again, but doubt it, so when I hear vaccines are available to us, I will seek them out.

 

We shouldn't hold this against the Thai's, more the fools we are for thinking they actually gave a rats about us, nope, it's still all about the money, money, money, well what can I say, they have shot themselves in the foot again, and I wish them well with their future in trying to get back tourists, which they will, but won't be anywhere near the volumes they had in the peak as people don't forget and seek other places.

 

Bitter sweet I say, but the last laugh is on ?   

[CharlieH]

From another topic regarding this .....

 

"We also understand that the the Thai government has said that Covid 19 Vaccines will only be offered to Thai nationals at this time.

The UK Ambassador is raising this as a matter of urgency with the Prime Minister, as well as the Minister of Health. He is asking for clarity on the government policy and for equal access to vaccines for all residents of Thailand, Thai or foreign. Again, we will update the Forum when there is any new information"

[Patong2021]

 

19 hours ago, Caldera said:

This is bound to make Thailand look very bad. I don't know of any other country that prioritizes access to Covid-19 vaccines by nationality. Different countries do have different priorities, but they are usually applied to all residents regardless of nationality.

You make a  good point.     Unfortunately, Thailand has looked bad before, but it does not care.

I went to look for other Asia country policy and was surprised by generosity of other countries.

 

Malaysia: “(The) Cabinet has decided that foreign citizens residing in Malaysia will receive COVID-19 vaccines free under the National Immunisation Programme,” . “This will include diplomats, expatriates, students, foreign spouses and children, foreign workers & UNHCR [UN refugee agency] card holders.” Khairy Jamaluddin,  Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, who is leading the vaccination drive. (21-Feb-2021)

 

Singapore:  Citizens, Permanent Residents, Persons on Long Term Visitor Pass, Employment Pass, S Pass, Work permit, and dependant pass holders will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations for free.

 

Vietnam: Foreigners will  be able to access vaccine once program is rolled out to all. Whetehr it is free is still under review.

 

Japan:  Japan will issue coronavirus vaccination vouchers to its over 2.2-million registered foreign residents at the same time as Japanese citizens. A Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare representative told the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, “Basically, the conditions to get vaccinated are the same (for foreigners) as for Japanese citizens. As a rule, vouchers will go to those with registered residences. Those who are clearly living in Japan will get vaccines.”

 

South Korea: Any foreigner allowed to stay more than 3 months in South Korea is treated same as South Korean citizen.  Korea then decided to provide COVID-19 vaccines to undocumented foreigners as part of increased efforts to stem the spread of the contagious disease.  "Unregistered migrants will be able to get vaccinated in the same manner that Korean nationals and other foreigners receive shots," a government official in charge of the country's vaccination program said 6 April 2021.

 

There are tens of thousands of Thai  nationals living in the above countries who will all be treated better and more fairly than the nationals of those countries in Thailand.

 

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

Amazing really, AZ developed in the UK by Oxford UNI, rights given to Thailand to produce it and then this by the Thai gov. Quite astounding. 

You make  comment which I think is very smart.

All of the  western vaccine  makers have code of conduct- ethical practice. I go to look at  company like Pfizer and it has 52 page book on code of conduct it calls Blue Book. It also has another on what is allowed for business practice. It says it will not engage or support discrimination based upon nationality or ethnicity. I think when Oxford University  agree to technology transfer it also require compliance with basic non discrimination.  What Thailand does is  discrimination. It is denial of medical care to person because of nationality. maybe complaints should be made to  Oxford University and ask what it intends to do with country it shared intellectual  property with for free.

[Jingthing]

Of course it's discrimination and that's atrocious to behold. 

 

But arguably even more atrocious are some of the people being discriminated against aggressively defending that policy. 

 

Now more than ever expats in Thailand should be UNITED against this clear and obvious wrong, but, no

...

[DerbyDan]

It sucks. People are not treated as equals here. Just the way the society is structured and the Thai's probably don't think it's off base.

 

It does make me think twice about permanent retirement hrre though. I grew up in a western Democracy.

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, DerbyDan said:

It sucks. People are not treated as equals here. Just the way the society is structured and the Thai's probably don't think it's off base.

 

It does make me think twice about permanent retirement hrre though. I grew up in a western Democracy.

Thailand doesn't offer permanent retirement status. Quelle surprise.

[clivebaxter]

Today they are saying they WILL vaccinate 3 million foreigners, I can't keep up with all these changes of mind

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thailand-plans-to-include-3-million-foreigners-in-mass-vaccination-programme

The Thai government says it is planning on including 3 million foreigners in its mass Covid-19 vaccination programme in an effort to protect the entire population. Opas Kankawinpong, the head of the disease control department, has confirmed the news,

Edited May 6, 2021 by clivebaxter

[Jingthing]

19 minutes ago, clivebaxter said:

Today they are saying they WILL vaccinate 3 million foreigners, I can't keep up with all these changes of mind

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/thailand-plans-to-include-3-million-foreigners-in-mass-vaccination-programme

The Thai government says it is planning on including 3 million foreigners in its mass Covid-19 vaccination programme in an effort to protect the entire population. Opas Kankawinpong, the head of the disease control department, has confirmed the news,

Its a head spinning experience. What will tomorrow bring?

 

Anyone that posts now asserting that they really know how this is going to develop is delusional.

 

It's all theories, speculation, and reading tea leaves.

[internationalism]

those 3mln mentioned in the above article corresponds with some 4mln foreign workers from neighbouring countries. 

Yes, they will get their free vax.

Foreigners from the other countries will face obstructions, to force them into buying moderna privately

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, internationalism said:

those 3mln mentioned in the above article corresponds with some 4mln foreign workers from neighbouring countries. 

Yes, they will get their free vax.

Foreigners from the other countries will face obstructions, to force them into buying moderna privately

No problem to pay but please hurry up.