US expats plead for vaccine help in viral Thailand

[sqwakvfr]

"Far, FAR cheaper to vaccinate than evacuate. Not even close between tge two options."

 

Are you sure?  If an American is evacuated by the Embassy guess who pays(he or she will get a bill)?  The US government will cover the cost initially but part of the process is to have the evacuee sign a form acknowledging that he or she will reimburse the US Government at a later date.  Usually a chartered flight and these flights cost much more than scheduled airline flights.  

 

I know this because in a previous life I was on a NEO coordination team in a Middle East country(we actually ran drills on evacuating Americans).  Yes, most of the time it turned out to be a "Charlie Foxtrot".  

 

[placeholder]

12 minutes ago, Khun Paul said:

Oh dear, please I am an American in Thailand, living the good life and I want my country , where I left looking for a better life to vaccinate me . Oh dear poor unintelligent ignorant Americans, wake up this is the real world, why the hell would a country if fact any country vaccinate their people who have left . 

Ask the Chinese govt that question. 

[Ex Pool Doctor]

Its shameful that the Chinese gov takes care of their citizens abroad better than the U.S..  Vaccines sitting on shelves in the U.S. while we wait for the incompetent Thai gov to get it together.  

[Misty]

2 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Why only in Thailand or SE Asia?  If the US Government vaccinates Americans in Thailand then what about every country in the world that Americans are in?  

 

Not only Thailand or SE Asia.  But a particular case can be made for Thailand. For example, Thailand has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world - according to the FT's COVID19 vaccine tracker, Thailand's vaccination rate half even that of neighbor Malaysia's.  And some 172 countries joined COVAX.  Thailand is not one of them.

 

 

 

[jacko45k]

10 minutes ago, Bim Smith said:

Only US citizens would be so unknowledgeable to plead to be part of the world's biggest mass clinical trial using emergency use only vaccines still in phase three trials for the next two years over disease 99.8 percent don't die from. Good luck with that. 

And how could they be part of a clinical trial if the drug was not still in trial phase? 

[Scott]

Inflammatory, off-topic, troll posts removed.  

 

[thonglorjimmy]

1 hour ago, AnnieSeek said:

There would be uproar in Thailand, if foreigners were getting vaccinated ahead of the old and frail Thai nationals - no matter the source. I am aware there are some Chinese getting vaccinated, but they don't count. lol 

 

I'm a Brit and I have an appointment to receive my vaccine on the 7th June, my Thai wife couldn't register as she's under 60.

[Misty]

 

2 hours ago, pegman said:

I wonder if these drama queens are simular to the American expats I know who rail on constantly against "socialized medicine"? Come on guys pull up your boot straps, 555.

 

Ambassador DeSombre is no "drama queen." 

 

"As ambassadors, our priority was to secure the health and safety of all Americans. It is time
for the U.S. to offer Covid-19 vaccines to our fellow citizens living overseas."

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-americans-who-cant-get-vaccines-11622156230

 

 

 

 

 

[sqwakvfr]

Democrats Abroad in Thailand, Paul Risley.

“What are we, chopped liver? 

 

Yes you are.  .  As a fellow American he does not represent me.   He embarrasses me as an American who also lives in Thailand.  Of course people like this get the attention of the local media.  Stories like this negatively impact the perception of Americans in Thailand.  I do not feel entitled to anything from the US Government except for what is listed on the price sheet at the Embassy/Consulate.  Last time I checked the US Embassy does not provide vaccination or any other medical services.  

[sqwakvfr]

"Not only Thailand or SE Asia.  But a particular case can be made for Thailand. For example, Thailand has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the world - according to the FT's COVID19 vaccine tracker, Thailand's vaccination rate half even that of neighbor Malaysia's.  And some 172 countries joined COVAX.  Thailand is not one of them."

 

Why would low vaccination rate be a criteria for US American Government to vaccinate it's citizens in Thailand.  The only way I see the US Government taking immediate action would be a Public Medical Emergency in Thailand(hospitals overloaded , people dropping dead on the streets etc,).  Then I could see an airlift of emergency vaccines by the Department of Defense?  This is a big IF. Even then I  believe the US Government would advise American to evacuate first.  

[RocketDog]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Basha said:

Said the chair of Democrats Abroad in Thailand, Paul Risley.

“What are we, chopped liver? 

 

“These are vaccines, offered for free to all in the US, and most of them have been manufactured with taxpayer dollars.”

 

I wonder if he knows how few of the expats here actually pay U.S. taxes. I do, but most probably don't. 

Anybody receiving USA social security payments and Medicare pays taxes on it.

Minimum Medicare payment (taken from your SSA stipend) is around $105/month if income is minimal, more for higher incomes. From the beginning of the vaccinations they were free to Medicare recipients in America but not expats abroad. So we paid for it but don't get it, as with Medicare itself except when I'm home. Don't forget inheritance tax either. Americans are subject to taxes on income for life, regardless of where they live and earn money. Only two countries in the world are like this.

 

In that case I wouid guess most Americans here pay, or are subject to, taxes; I certainly do.

 

That said, I'm enough of a realist not to expect much from my government beyond increasing taxes/ inflation/ property taxes/ bureaucracy, and decreasing police protection and social services, all reasons that I'm here.

 

I fully expect to dodge the virus in semi-quarantine until I can get and pay for a REAL vaccine here, probably near year end.

That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

[jippytum]

I'm a long term resident and in the 'high risk ' group .I am prepared to wait until the vaccine of my choice is available and so are most of my friends in the same age group.The yanks sound like a load of wimps

[sqwakvfr]

"There are no significant hurdles for the U.S. government to ship Covid vaccines around the world and administer them to Americans living abroad. The State Department confirmed on April 20 that it has sent to each U.S. embassy sufficient vaccines to administer to all American employees. Each embassy also maintains a list of Americans who have registered their contact details, and unregistered Americans could easily be reached through the American communities in each country. All that would be required to administer vaccines in an orderly manner to Americans overseas would be to create an online sign-up system."

 

1) No significant hurdles?  Ok then. How?  DHL, FedEx, C17's C5's, Sherpas?  Then how about ground transportation and storage at the proper temperature?  Logistics? How hard can it be?  How much? Who would run this operation?  The "devil is in the details". 

 

2)"Each embassy also maintains a list of Americans who have registered their contact details, and unregistered Americans could easily be reached through the American communities in each"

 

So the contact information of all overseas American is 100% accurate and up to date?  

 

3)in an orderly manner to Americans overseas would be to create an online sign-up system.

 

How often are Americans orderly?

 

4)Which country gets the first delivery of vaccines for overseas Americans? What criteria will be used to establish this priority overseas vaccination program?  Again "the devil is in the details."  As always "easier said than done". 

[bronzedude]

The US embassy is not worth  the time or money. They do next to nothing for US citizens. Actually they probably do nothing.

[BTB1977]

Don't lump winnie socialist liberal democrats with Trump supporters.  As a Trump supporter and friends of many others here in thailand. We are not crying for our government to get us a flu shot.  We understand that we choose to live here. We don't need our government to pay for a cheap flu shot. I don't want to take it if I don't have too. The only reason I would get it would be if there was a restriction on traveling out side of Thailand to another country.  

[sqwakvfr]

One last point about the WJS article is this:  Most US Embassies are not large.  Some are gigantic like in London or even in Baghdad during the last decade.  Vaccinating Embassy Staff and even local workers might require hundreds of doses.  But vaccinating overseas citizens will require more than 100's of doses. Also, doubt if any embassy has the capability of storing significant amount of vaccine doses for an extended period.  

 

Some Americans could claim they cannot travel to the Embassy due medical or other reasons.  Then will the Embassy sent out personnel to the American who cannot travel for the vaccine?  "The Devil Is In the Details".  Any kind of program like this always takes time to plan and execute.  By than most of us might have already been vaccinated?  

[BTB1977]

Don't lump winnie socialist liberal democrats with Trump supporters.  As a Trump supporter and friends of many others here in thailand. We are not crying for our government to get us a flu shot.  We understand that we choose to live here. We don't need our government to pay for a cheap flu shot. I don't want to take it if I don't have too. The only reason I would get it would be if there was a restriction on traveling out side of Thailand to another country.  

Edited May 31, 2021 by BTB1977

[moe666]

2 hours ago, Rocking Robert said:

Just fly over to USA get vaccinated and fly back. Problem solved.  It’s not free the tax payers paid for it

Most of the vaccines were developed using corp. money and didn't recieve any tax payer dollars for the developement. They did get money reserving doses for the US but that would not be the same as tax payer funded. Get over it you live in Thailand because you want to be free of all the US drama.

[Isaan sailor]

I think people miss the point.  Expats here realize they cannot walk into any Thai pharmacy and have a choice of Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson&Johnson—the way we can in America right now.  It costs money to bring these vaccines halfway across the world. And logistics here would make it especially difficult.

So why not charge a premium to all who want these vaccines—Thai and expats alike?  Surely tens of thousands, or perhaps millions would gladly pay 2-5,000 Baht (or more) for a shot.  Win for Thailand, expats (and Thais) and vaccine manufacturers.

Edited May 31, 2021 by Isaan sailor

[sqwakvfr]

5,000 Baht 

 

I would pay this amount for 2 doses of Pfizer.  Chiang Mai Ram Hospital is launching an online survey tomorrow to gauge interest in "Alternative Covid-19 Vaccines".  The choices are Sinopharm or Moderna.  

I would also pay 5000 for two doses of Moderna as well.  That is if I can get vaccinated within the next 90 day.  I certainly would not wait until 2022 and pay.  

[4MyEgo]

What ceases to amaze me, for example is that the Australian Government recently gave Thailand $2.8 million or roughly 68,000,000 baht towards it's vaccinations program, but failed to say, oi, listen up fella's, we have a few Ozzie's there, can you make sure you get the vaxed a.s.a.p.

 

The response from Thailand Government might of been, who ?

 

The Australian Governments response might then of been, oh yeh that's right, forget it, it's all good, forget we mentioned it.

[Enzian]

To clarify a minor point misstated above, the US Embassy will no longer add pages to one's passport, as I once had done. A citizen must order a new passport.

[mal60]

I got an appointment for 8th July at Hua Hin hospital.

You can go t o Market Village in Hua Hin and make an appointment all this week between 11am and 6pm. 

They were doing this all last week for expats.

[wwest5829]

I would hope that any Americans, retired abroad, promote the USA instituting a national healthcare program like all other democratic countries provide for their citizens. Currently, I propose that Medicare health coverage be extended globally on the same basis that military retirees receive under Tricare coverage. Both military and civilian, earned and paid for benefits should be treated on an equitable basis.

[KKr]

2 hours ago, the green light said:

One must understand the purpose of an Embassy.

It is not to take care of the ordinary joe on most important matter.  Only you can get help to order a new passport, add pages to your passport  or just register you infant or get a paper notarized... with kick and screaming they are obliged to perform these duties. That is it all.

 

Their  true function is to cater  for the US business community and people in the US government travelling overseas.... So these are the people who will get the vaccines or special treatment.. and not you.

 

Look at it from their point of view: the ordinary joe lives in Thailand and spend his  SS money in  Thailand, enjoying the good life . .  Even if you work at a job in Thailand you are only paying Thai taxes and not US taxes. Mr. Joe,  by living in Thailand, you have zero contribution to the US economy.. why do you except to be equal to Mr. Microsoft  or any body working for the state department

 

Sorry that is the true fact.. 

clearly underlines the difference between Consulate and Embassy

[Pilotman]

3 hours ago, fusion58 said:

I have zero expectations as I already know very well that the U.S. Embassy wouldn't bother to urinate on me if I were on fire (see income affidavits.)

same for the UK embassy.  In Fact, I have a feeling that they would throw petrol on the fire to get rid of the inconvenience of having any of their citizens disturb their cocktail party existence. 

[Scott]

Off-topic, inflammatory, troll posts reported and removed.  

 

[Nanaplaza666]

2 hours ago, 10baht said:

Don't we all but what does that have to do with the price of tea in China? You people don't seem to understand once everyone, everywhere no matter how get vaccinated then the poor and hungry all over the world will be on a better path to riches and buffets.

Seems you'r ranting on a bit , at the beginning you made a little bit of sence but now . Before this pandemic the poor and hungry all over the world where on the same path as they are on now . And that wasn't a path of riches and buffets . there are just lots more poor and hungry at the moment . I don't say that mass vaccination isn't going to solve a lot of the new poor peoples problems but to say it solves all poor and hungry peoples problems is a bit far fatched .

[Genericnic]

3 hours ago, fusion58 said:

I have zero expectations as I already know very well that the U.S. Embassy wouldn't bother to urinate on me if I were on fire (see income affidavits.)

Or as we say back in the southern US, "about as useful as teats on a boar hog."

 

David

[hioctane]

2 hours ago, the green light said:

One must understand the purpose of an Embassy.

It is not to take care of the ordinary joe on most important matter.  Only you can get help to order a new passport, add pages to your passport  or just register you infant or get a paper notarized... with kick and screaming they are obliged to perform these duties. That is it all.

 

Their  true function is to cater  for the US business community and people in the US government travelling overseas.... So these are the people who will get the vaccines or special treatment.. and not you.

 

Look at it from their point of view: the ordinary joe lives in Thailand and spend his  SS money in  Thailand, enjoying the good life . .  Even if you work at a job in Thailand you are only paying Thai taxes and not US taxes. Mr. Joe,  by living in Thailand, you have zero contribution to the US economy.. why do you except to be equal to Mr. Microsoft  or any body working for the state department

 

Sorry that is the true fact.. 

 

The purpose of an embassy is help ALL it’s citizens living in that country. It has nothing to do with business.