Overseas and Overlooked, Americans in Thailand Seek Vaccines

[pookondee]

1 minute ago, placnx said:

The thing that seems to irritate posters here is that, in this pandemic, the Embassy seems uninterested in the fate of it's expats. This is after all not a minor event.

Politicians are only interested in the larger groups that have voting power, and everyone else is but an annoyance.

 

Embassy staff are of much the same ilk.

The last thing they want to do is be bothered by the plebs wanting help.

 

Thats the way its been since the 90's.

Probably even well before that 

[Lacessit]

AFAIK, there is no nation that is assisting its citizens in Thailand to be vaccinated, although China may be an exception. We will all just have to suck it up, and stay away from crowded venues until the Thai government gets off its backside.

[wwest5829]

4 hours 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

Hmmm, you evidently do not know US law. All US citizens are required to pay income tax on worldwide income (US tax law allows exemptions and income limits subject to taxation(. Flying back to the US for vaccine has no effect on tax liability.

[GinBoy2]

30 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

AFAIK, there is no nation that is assisting its citizens in Thailand to be vaccinated, although China may be an exception. We will all just have to suck it up, and stay away from crowded venues until the Thai government gets off its backside.

China is far from the exception.

 

They rank way down the list of getting their own population vaccinated, and its more a case of they export the damn stuff as part of their diplomatic strategy.

 

And lets be clear, Beijing is not shipping vaccines overseas for their own people, this is a clear upfront, in your face political move to try to gain influence.

Edited May 11, 2021 by GinBoy2

[billsmart]

I'm an "American," a U.S. citizen, and I don't expect to receive any vaccine from the U.S. embassy or anywhere else. I just expect to receive the vaccine from the Thai government or a private hospital as soon as there are doses available.

[Jingthing]

27 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I'm an "American," a U.S. citizen, and I don't expect to receive any vaccine from the U.S. embassy or anywhere else. I just expect to receive the vaccine from the Thai government or a private hospital as soon as there are doses available.

There are doses available but they are not available to expats. This is a particularly atrocious situation for high risk expsts bring blocked from access on the same schedule as Thais. Does it need to be spelled out what the consequences will be from this?

 

This is why this is an exceptional situation where embassies really should step in to help their own nationals during this historically momentous global pandemic. They won't for the most part but they still really should. 

Edited May 11, 2021 by Jingthing

[DogNo1]

If you're an American, read the first inside page of your passport.  Countries where Americans are residing do have an obligation to provide them with assistance.   Thailand fumbled its timely procurement of vaccines. This puts Americans in danger, especially the elderly and those with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to infection by the virus.  I think that it should be possible for some of the tens of millions of doses that are being sent to India to be diverted to Thailand and given to Americans and possibly other foreigners as well.  Thailand would be averse to losing face over its inability to provide vaccines on a timely basis. This is probably partly behind its previous declaration to deliver vaccines to Thais first, now rescinded. A supply of America's surplus AZ vaccine could help Thailand out of a tough place.  It might take strong demands from Americans to get that done.  The medical establishment in Thailand is plenty angry about the tardy procurement of the vaccines.  Perhaps the face saving for certain highly placed officials will win out and we will just have to wait.  Flying out to get vaccinated would be costly in terms of time and money and probably dangerous as well so I am going to hope to be vaccinated in June. 

BTW, doesn't America provide many millions in financial aid to Thailand each year?

[Surelynot]

Haven't read the thread......but I assume someone has already gone with......

 

Over paid......over sexed and......... over here

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

Haven't read the thread......but I assume someone has already gone with......

 

Over paid......over sexed and......... over here

You're the first, dude.

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

5 hours 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.

Yes it has, if you follow the news...????

[Denim]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

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

 

Might want to change his name to Nonpreciousmetalman.

 

Bit of a mouthfull though.

[Jimbone]

5 hours 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

The response should be proportional. Since there is a global pandemic, I would fully expect the US to help expats, in this instance.

[Jimbone]

23 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Yes it has, if you follow the news...????

July is a long way off. I would be concerned that what is said now by the Thai gov't may not be what, in actually, happens.

 

[Jingthing]

34 minutes ago, khunPer said:

Yes it has, if you follow the news...????

Conflicting news.

Believe it if and when it happens.

Not before.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/vaccine-explainer-thailands-vaccines-and-timeline/

 

For non-citizens, only pink card holders (Permanent Residents), who are either 60 or older or have any of the seven health problems mentioned above can register now for vaccination in June or July, while foreign diplomats will also be eligible for jabs on a voluntary basis.

The criteria and plans for future vaccination of other non-Thai citizens remain unclear.

Edited May 11, 2021 by Jingthing

[bwpage3]

First off, I never want to get myself in a situation where 1 trip would be a strain on my finances.

 

Second, is why these people think the US govt owe them anything once they move away.

 

If you make a choice to move to the third world, live with it, deal with it.

 

Third thing, the provided literature by Moderna states vaccine effectivity is 6 months. Why fly anywhere for a vaccine that is only good for 6 months; then what.

 

I have had both Moderna in the US and will need the booster vaccine sometime around August time frame. How long that will be good for is anyone's guess right now.

 

Stay put, stay home, where a mask if you must get your necessities, social distance. That is really all you can do.

 

The vaccine is NO guarantee you won't STILL get Covid as some have found out in the US.

 

Thailand has all kinds of strains from everywhere. Is one vaccine going to cover all of them?

 

 

[Thomas J]

6 hours 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

Absolutely spot on.  I see posts on TV chastising the pharmaceutical companies for providing a virus vaccine in record time at a cost as low as $10 for a single dose.  Perhaps they would have been happier if the companies invested their money came up with no vaccine.  Or another alternative they came up with a vaccine but it costs $10,000 per dose.  What ingrates that they can't shape their own future, go to a private hospital and if the rates here in Thailand run about the same as the rest of the world, get a Johnson & Johnson shot shot for half the cost of a case of Chang.  Such an outrage that you might actually have to dig into your own pocket to pay for something instead of living in the delusion that somehow those vaccines shots in the USA that are dispensed for nothing don't actually cost you. 


 

[Bezdomny]

Goldman, dont be cheap charlie. Buy ticket and fly home if you are in a hurry to be vaccinated.

[Jingthing]

7 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

Absolutely spot on.  I see posts on TV chastising the pharmaceutical companies for providing a virus vaccine in record time at a cost as low as $10 for a single dose.  Perhaps they would have been happier if the companies invested their money came up with no vaccine.  Or another alternative they came up with a vaccine but it costs $10,000 per dose.  What ingrates that they can't shape their own future, go to a private hospital and if the rates here in Thailand run about the same as the rest of the world, get a Johnson & Johnson shot shot for half the cost of a case of Chang.  Such an outrage that you might actually have to dig into your own pocket to pay for something instead of living in the delusion that somehow those vaccines shots in the USA that are dispensed for nothing don't actually cost you. 


 

Private hospitals don't have any vaccines yet at any price. We don't know when they will and assuming they ever do we don't yet know what the rules for expat access. You are totally off the mark if you think the issue is price. The issues are timing and access! 

[Thomas J]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Private hospitals don't have any vaccines yet at any price. We don't know when they will and assuming they ever do we don't yet know what the rules for expat access. You are totally off the mark if you think the issue is price. The issues are timing and access! 

Yes, they don't have any.  However bellyaching that somehow the US government should come to their rescue is misguided.   I am a U.S. citizen and came here of my own choice.  That means I live with the consequences and potential inconvenience.  Any of those crybabies who want the vaccine, try Travelocity for flight information and go back and get it instead of somehow thinking that the US should send the U.S.S. comfort ship and a crew of navy doctors because for you to fly home is inconvenient and waiting for the vaccine is something you just think is unconscionable. 

 

[Jingthing]

6 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

Yes, they don't have any.  However bellyaching that somehow the US government should come to their rescue is misguided.   I am a U.S. citizen and came here of my own choice.  That means I live with the consequences and potential inconvenience.  Any of those crybabies who want the vaccine, try Travelocity for flight information and go back and get it instead of somehow thinking that the US should send the U.S.S. comfort ship and a crew of navy doctors because for you to fly home is inconvenient and waiting for the vaccine is something you just think is unconscionable. 

 

Sending a ship? This is a serious topic. You're obviously just trying to insult people and provoke arguments. Doesn’t interest me. Adios. 

[GinBoy2]

26 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Private hospitals don't have any vaccines yet at any price. We don't know when they will and assuming they ever do we don't yet know what the rules for expat access. You are totally off the mark if you think the issue is price. The issues are timing and access! 

Thing is JT, every American has access to a shot, all you gotta do is get on a plane and in pretty much every State right now you will have a vaccine in your arm within 24 hours.

 

This all about choices. You choose to live overseas, and you can also choose to go home to get a shot tomorrow

Edited May 11, 2021 by GinBoy2

[DogNo1]

Read page 2 of your passport.

[gearbox]

2 hours ago, DogNo1 said:

If you're an American, read the first inside page of your passport.  Countries where Americans are residing do have an obligation to provide them with assistance.   Thailand fumbled its timely procurement of vaccines. This puts Americans in danger, especially the elderly and those with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to infection by the virus.  I think that it should be possible for some of the tens of millions of doses that are being sent to India to be diverted to Thailand and given to Americans and possibly other foreigners as well.  Thailand would be averse to losing face over its inability to provide vaccines on a timely basis. This is probably partly behind its previous declaration to deliver vaccines to Thais first, now rescinded. A supply of America's surplus AZ vaccine could help Thailand out of a tough place.  It might take strong demands from Americans to get that done.  The medical establishment in Thailand is plenty angry about the tardy procurement of the vaccines.  Perhaps the face saving for certain highly placed officials will win out and we will just have to wait.  Flying out to get vaccinated would be costly in terms of time and money and probably dangerous as well so I am going to hope to be vaccinated in June. 

BTW, doesn't America provide many millions in financial aid to Thailand each year?

 

 

What you see in your passport is a request, not an obligation,  and is present in similar wording in pretty much every passport in the world.

You can get only assistance if your home country has reciprocal agreement for medical care with the country where you are.

 

[thailand49]

8 hours 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

Personally I don't see how you can assume anything in regards to the taxes!  Have you ever consider that he might still be paying taxes like myself although I'm here 90% of the time.

 

I haven't declare Thailand my home for a number of reason in my case I still have a resident address that I'm using based on the generous tax code of the U.S. deductions if General Electric paid zero what make you think someone going home to obtain a vaccine shot will now find himself eligible for paying U.S. Taxes?  Silly and off based in my opinion.????

 

 

[DogNo1]

My understanding is that the US is vaccinating everyone present in the country without regard to nationality.  Thailand has now declared that they will do the same.   I hope to be vaccinated, for a price, at Bumrungrad in a month or so.  The hospital confirmed my registration just two days ago.  This will, of course, be subject to their ability to import the vaccines.

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, Thomas J said:

Absolutely spot on.  I see posts on TV chastising the pharmaceutical companies for providing a virus vaccine in record time at a cost as low as $10 for a single dose.  Perhaps they would have been happier if the companies invested their money came up with no vaccine.  Or another alternative they came up with a vaccine but it costs $10,000 per dose.  What ingrates that they can't shape their own future, go to a private hospital and if the rates here in Thailand run about the same as the rest of the world, get a Johnson & Johnson shot shot for half the cost of a case of Chang.  Such an outrage that you might actually have to dig into your own pocket to pay for something instead of living in the delusion that somehow those vaccines shots in the USA that are dispensed for nothing don't actually cost you. 


 

The problem isn't the cost. The problem is that they're not available to foreigners.. So cease with your irrelevant praise of capitalism and climb down from your soapbox already..

[placeholder]

3 minutes ago, DogNo1 said:

My understanding is that the US is vaccinating everyone present in the country without regard to nationality.  Thailand has now declared that they will do the same.   I hope to be vaccinated, for a price, at Bumrungrad in a month or so.  The hospital confirmed my registration just two days ago.  This will, of course, be subject to their ability to import the vaccines.

Actually not, It depends on the state. Undocumented aliens are having a difficult time getting vaccinated in some states like Florida. Which is really stupid on the part of the Florida govt but it is to be expected.

[Letseng]

11 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

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.   

The other day an American  guy wrote about going to Guam for vaccination. It is closer than going to US.

[starky]

11 hours ago, John Drake said:

 

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.

Do you imagine Americans are the only ones who pay taxes in their home countries? I've been living here 20 years and pay upwards of 50k Aussie dollars to my government every year. As one poster said you chose to come here to find a better place to live or what ever reason your here. You may not be the only ones paying taxes in your birth country but your certainly the ones doing all the wringing about not being able to get a vaccine.

[starky]

5 hours ago, Jimbone said:

The response should be proportional. Since there is a global pandemic, I would fully expect the US to help expats, in this instance.

It should help them by repatriating them then. Can't have ya cake and eat it too.