Overseas and Overlooked, Americans in Thailand Seek Vaccines

[webfact]

Two men enjoy the city skyline view on the 314-meter high rooftop terrace of the Mahanakhon building in Bangkok on Nov. 11, 2020.

 

By Warangkana Chomchuen

 

BANGKOK - Alec Goldman, an American educator who has made a life in Bangkok, wants to get vaccinated.

 

Right about now would be a good time as COVID-19 cases in Thailand have been spiking since early April, fueled by the highly transmissible variant B.1.1.7, first detected here just before the four-day Thai New Year holiday that began April 12. 

 

Goldman worries about the health risks posed by long international flights. He said a trip would strain his finances. 

 

Full story: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/overseas-and-overlooked-americans-thailand-seek-vaccines

 

-- © Copyright VOA 2021-05-11

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

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[John Drake]

   

Quote

Nikki Fox, spokesperson of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, said in an email to VOA that the State Department does not provide direct medical care to private citizens abroad. The State Department's current guidelines recommend that Americans overseas check whether they are eligible for a vaccine with local authorities. 

Some U.S. expats, however, remember when U.S. government personnel inoculated American expats.

When Gary Suwannarat first moved to Thailand in the 1980s, she and her family were vaccinated against hepatitis B, a major public health concern in Asia at the time, on the grounds of the U.S. Consulate in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai.

 

So, they used to provide vaccinations. There goes the excuse they can't do so in a foreign country.

[ThailandRyan]

I think it has more to do with slapping the Thai Government in the face if they did vaccinate their countries citizens when Thailand has not even scratched the surface here.  Just my take on it.

[John Drake]

5 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

I think it has more to do with slapping the Thai Government in the face if they did vaccinate their countries citizens when Thailand has not even scratched the surface here.  Just my take on it.

 

Undoubtedly you are correct. Yet the Thai authorities apparently had no problem with China making their vaccine deliveries conditional on putting Chinese nationals first in line to receive them.  

Quote

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the charg d’affaires at China’s embassy in Thailand, Yang Xin, had informed him that Chinese authorities have approved and coordinated with the manufacturing company.

He said Thailand will continue to issue a letter of intent to seek support for the vaccine from China as a friend. If the vaccine is given, it may state the condition to take care of the Chinese nationals in Thailand.   https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1208810-800000-doses-of-sinovac-vaccine-are-expected-to-arrive-on-march-25/

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

8 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Undoubtedly you are correct. Yet the Thai authorities apparently had no problem with China making their vaccine deliveries conditional on putting Chinese nationals first in line to receive them.  

 

I do remember that, but you have to take into the context and consideration that China supplied them with the Sinovac vaccine in whatever deal was made, while the US itself has not made any deals in sending Thailand vaccines.

[Dogmatix]

The US embassy has vaccinated its own staff, including locals, and families with Pfizer.  Other US citizens have to look after themselves. 

 

A friend is in the silver tube right now on the way to get himself Pfizered in California.  He had the airmiles and is happy to get out of Thailand for a few weeks.

 

Edited May 11, 2021 by Dogmatix

[Dogmatix]

Nobody expects any help from the British embassy any more.  Even if you are murdered, they will only pitch in to help an officially endorsed frame up of scapgoats.  But have they even bothered to vaccinate embassy staff?

[John Drake]

15 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

I do remember that, but you have to take into the context and consideration that China supplied them with the Sinovac vaccine in whatever deal was made, while the US itself has not made any deals in sending Thailand vaccines.

 

All of that is true, too. And we all know the stranglehold that China has over Thailand. But looking at it from the US standpoint, the embassy should feel humiliated. China was able to protect its nationals with its own vaccine and have the Thais do the delivery. Meanwhile, just a few days ago the US charge de affairs was crowing along with the outgoing British ambassador that Thailand had agreed to vaccinate Westerners.  Yet if you unpack all the Thai statements, you'll find that nothing has really changed since Anutin said "all Thais first." The access the western diplomats were bragging about for us is dependent on a June some time development of an English language app that takes passport numbers. And we all know how long that can take and the problems associated with it. Meanwhile, in Bangrak, a hospital will be used to vaccinate foreign embassies and NGO's. Why Bangrak? It's convenient for the embassies. Effectively, to me at least, it looks like we are still last in line and no better off than when Anutin made his first statement promising all Thais first. Our embassies are indifferent. These actions on the part of the Thais and Chinese should have made the US embassy demand the right to give safe vaccine coverage to its citizens. Instead, it's taking credit for something it didn't even win.

Edited May 11, 2021 by John Drake

[ThailandRyan]

16 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

All of that is true, too. And we all know the stranglehold that China has over Thailand. But looking at it from the US standpoint, the embassy should feel humiliated. China was able to protect its nationals with its own vaccine and have the Thais do the delivery. Meanwhile, just a few days ago the US charge de affairs was crowing along with the outgoing British ambassador that Thailand had agreed to vaccinate Westerners.  Yet if you unpack all the Thai statements, you'll find that nothing has really changed since Anutin said "all Thais first." The access the western diplomats were bragging about for us is dependent on a June some time development of an English language app that takes passport numbers. And we all know how long that can take and the problems associated with it. Meanwhile, in Bangrak, a hospital will be used to vaccinate foreign embassies and NGO's. Why Bangrak? It's convenient for the embassies. Effectively, to me at least, it looks like we are still last in line and no better off than when Anutin made his first statement promising all Thais first. Our embassies are indifferent. These actions on the part of the Thais and Chinese should have made the US embassy demand the right to give safe vaccine coverage to its citizens. Instead, it's taking credit for something it didn't even win.

You are correct in your views as I see it very much the same way.  Flying out to obtain the vaccination and then returning however many weeks later, 6 or so and enduring a 2 week quarantine upon returning is an option and one that would not impact myself greatly.  However, it would impact my family here in Bangkok as they would not and could not make the trip to the US due to Visa issues.   

[MasterBaker]

1 hour ago, Dogmatix said:

The US embassy has vaccinated its own staff, including locals, and families with Pfizer.  Other US citizens have to look after themselves. 

 

A friend is in the silver tube right now on the way to get himself Pfizered in California.  He had the airmiles and is happy to get out of Thailand for a few weeks.

 

well if he has to go for second and then for a booster, he would suddenly find himself being eligible for paying US taxes

[Aomelia]

I just booked a Japan Airlines Ticket go San Francisco 800 dollars RT , DEAL , coming back Oct 1 I hope quarantine is finished by then 

Edited May 11, 2021 by Aomelia

[khunPer]

I cannot see the big problem, as he can register for free vaccination in Thailand from July...????

[Aomelia]

1 hour ago, Dogmatix said:

The US embassy has vaccinated its own staff, including locals, and families with Pfizer.  Other US citizens have to look after themselves. 

 

A friend is in the silver tube right now on the way to get himself Pfizered in California.  He had the airmiles and is happy to get out of Thailand for a few weeks.

 

I wouldn’t use miles now , it’s too cheap 

[Myran]

Cry me a river, snowflake. Unless he was sent her by the U.S. government, I fail to see how it's their responsibility to make sure he gets his vaccination. Get it yourself by travelling or wait for it to be made available in Thailand, just like literally every other person in Thailand.

[brommers]

Why do expats think their birth country gives a fiddlers cuss about them? You left to find somewhere "better" so live with the consequences. I am more than happy to wait until I am able to be vaccinated in a private hospital in the same way that I was vaccinated against flu, shingles & pneumococcal infections, at my own expense. So Americans just need to grow up and accept responsibility for themselves. After all you dont want any socialism your country so can't expect a nanny state to care for you when you live outside of it

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

We all know the stranglehold that China has over Thailand.

Do you mean good diplomatic, cultural, and business ties with Thailand...while the US has done nothing but berate Thai governments for the past decade on diplomatic, trade, and "human rights" issues; and slap tariffs and fines on Thai businesses? Then you would be correct.

[John Drake]

1 minute ago, brommers said:

Why do expats think their birth country gives a fiddlers cuss about them? You left to find somewhere "better" so live with the consequences. I am more than happy to wait until I am able to be vaccinated in a private hospital in the same way that I was vaccinated against flu, shingles & pneumococcal infections, at my own expense. So Americans just need to grow up and accept responsibility for themselves. After all you dont want any socialism your country so can't expect a nanny state to care for you when you live outside of it

 

Perhaps part of the reason many Americans are responding as we do is that, as the article itself asserts correctly, we are paying taxes for the vaccine. I know I do. I pay and file a tax return every year, although I haven't set foot in the  US since January 2013. Meanwhile hi-so Thais are flying into the US for vaccine tourism and being given shots for free that my tax dollars paid for. Now, do I really expect the embassy to do anything if it can squirm its way around helping us? No. So, I'll be happy to pay at a private Thai hospital. Unfortunately, that isn't possible and there is no way to find out when it will be possible. And our taxpayer funded embassy, which has as part of its mission statement protecting and aiding American citizens in Thailand, can't be bothered to help even at this level.

[mark131v]

As the Myron and Brommers have rightly pointed out unless you are here on a  government posting (in which case you will get vaccinated) then you have chosen to be here, if that's the case stop whining and accept it or make a plan to get it yourself, simples really...

Edited May 11, 2021 by mark131v

[John Drake]

1 minute ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

Do you mean good diplomatic, cultural, and business ties with Thailand...while the US has done nothing but berate Thai governments for the past decade on diplomatic, trade, and "human rights" issues; and slap tariffs and fines on Thai businesses? Then you would be correct.

 

Like China turning off the water tap to the Mekong? And of course Thailand never puts tariffs on American goods, do they? Nor do they steal or distribute American IP, do they? 

[Emdog]

1 hour ago, MasterBaker said:

well if he has to go for second and then for a booster, he would suddenly find himself being eligible for paying US taxes

I don't know where you get your misinformation, but moving abroad in no way relieves US citizens from paying taxes. Nonsense.

[bkk6060]

2 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

A friend is in the silver tube right now on the way to get himself Pfizered in California.  He had the airmiles and is happy to get out of Thailand for a few weeks.

It is risky at best just getting there with all the delayed, canceled flights.  Being on a plane and in airports

for about 20 hours if he got a decent layover. And, having to wear a mask on the plane the entire time.

All sounds terrible and a potential risk of infection.

Then, it is 3 weeks between shots.

The embassy is saying on their website up to 15 days for a COE.

Then, 14 day quarantine back here.

 

So, good luck to your friend he is more then likely looking at a few months not a few weeks before he finds himself back at his place here.

[Jingthing]

3 hours ago, John Drake said:

   

 

So, they used to provide vaccinations. There goes the excuse they can't do so in a foreign country.

Can.

Don't want to.

I'm thoroughly disgusted with them.

First they messed up retirees by canceling income letters. 

Now this with much worse potential consequences.

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

I cannot see the big problem, as he can register for free vaccination in Thailand from July...????

That has not been fully confirmed yet.

[Pattaya Spotter]

18 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Like China turning off the water tap to the Mekong? And of course Thailand never puts tariffs on American goods, do they? Nor do they steal or distribute American IP, do they? 

It was suggested China has a "stranglehold" on Thailand...I guess some see normal cordial country to country relations as a stranglehold. Maybe the US should try it sometime...otherwise why should Thailand do the US any favors.

[Pattaya Spotter]

14 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

It is risky at best just getting there with all the delayed, canceled flights.  Being on a plane and in airports

for about 20 hours if he got a decent layover. And, having to wear a mask on the plane the entire time.

All sounds terrible and a potential risk of infection.

Then, it is 3 weeks between shots.

The embassy is saying on their website up to 15 days for a COE.

Then, 14 day quarantine back here.

 

So, good luck to your friend he is more then likely looking at a few months not a few weeks before he finds himself back at his place here.

Agree...it seems a bit extreme but maybe he was homesick anyway.

[orchis]

That's a little rich. If I want a free vaccine I will fly back to my country.

[Pattaya Spotter]

1 hour ago, Aomelia said:

I just booked a Japan Airlines Ticket go San Francisco 800 dollars RT , DEAL , coming back Oct 1 I hope quarantine is finished by then 

You do know that airlines are still selling tickets for "phantom" flights that never take off, right? But they're happy to take your money now and re-schedule you for a flight sometime within the next year or two.

[sqwakvfr]

I have worked and lived in the Middle East and now I live in LOS.  I have learned the mission of any US or other nations embassy is to promote the it's political and economic interests to the host nation.  Assisting it's own citizens is a very low priority.  I think expecting the US Embassy to provide vaccines to it's citizens is unrealistic.  

 

Why should they?  I and any other American currently in LOS can go back to the US and get vaccinated.  Currently I am waiting to see when or if I can get vaccinated in LOS.  If it looks my turn will be in 2022 then I am booking my flight with Singapore Airlines to LAX.  The biggest factor that is delaying my trip is the fact that I absolutely hated Quarantine(survived it in mid February). .  Doubt I could deal with being locked in  another 15 days in a hotel in BKK.    

[John Drake]

1 minute ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

It was suggested China has a "stranglehold" on Thailand...I guess some see normal cordial country to country relations as a stranglehold. Maybe the US should try it sometime...otherwise why should Thailand do the US any favors.

 

I can see that you are trying to deflect this topic into yet another good Thailand/bad Thailand thread. I'm really not interested. So just to summarize my view as it relates to this topic about the US government's responsibilities to its citizens in Thailand: 1) I'm not angry with Thailand. Thailand is just being Thailand. I was prepared for its position on vaccinating foreigners (which, again, is not part of this topic). 2) I'm not angry with China. China has done extremely well protecting the interests of its citizens in Thailand. 3) I am angry with the US embassy for its indifference and callous attitude towards its own citizens in this country, which contrasts poorly with the concern and support China has given its citizens.

[Enzian]

An American. I take responsibility for myself and I know the Thais don't owe me anything nor do I expect them to. (Though strangely I have received certain valuable health services almost for free because I was in the right place at the right time-but I accept that that is a rare anomaly.) The tough part is being well over 80 and not knowing how many months I will have to wait for a vaccination, whereas if I were in California I would have it in a day or two. So I could fly to CA, but then I think there is too much uncertainty around any plans to return  within this calendar year.

So I'm arriving at the conclusion that I will have to stay here in Thailand indefinitely and just continue to isolate, which seems to work, or leave indefinitely. No family here, no problem. Move out. Return in a year or two, or not; it's a toss-up at this point. I have options, it's all good.