US expats plead for vaccine help in viral Thailand

[Jud Canada]

I live on a small island in PhangNga province and the health authority just came to the house for vaccine registration. Wasn't even looking for vaccination at this point. Apparently the jab is in June. I assumed this would be consistent throughout the kingdom. 

 

[atpeace]

Wow, the anti American sentiment is fearsome.  I'm an American and so are many of my friends. We all give you a big hug!

 

We aren't perfect but compared to many angry childlike  individuals on this forum, we are saints.  The day will come when we aren't a powerful nation and the next day we will be humans just like  we always have been.  My parents had sex in Florida and out I came 9 months later. Could have happened anywhere in the world.  My parents did the nasty while in the Philippines and my brother was born there.  Is he still a filthy American?

 

Always in awe how anger makes individuals so oblivious to the hatred that they show towards people that are not "like" them on this forum.  Just because 10 idiots say stupid things, doesn't validate anything other 10 idiots can type.

[oslooskar]

3 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

If Amercia starts  doing it then all the other countries will have to follow the lead.Right thing to do as the farang will be at the back of the bus for sure in thailand

 

I thought China was in the lead? After all, I thought I read here on Thaivisa somewhere that the Chinese were going to start vaccinating their own expatriates living here in Thailand.

[Mansell]

Just bring the top two vaccines to the US Embassy in Bangkok. Then all the American citizens here come there with their passports and pick up their vaccine, then it is upon them to go to a clinic or hospital to have it injected. Pretty simple and relatively inexpensive. That would be the American way to step forward. I’d even be happy to pay 3000 baht for the vaccine. 

[Jingthing]

4 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?  This list would be long and possibly there are more Americans in other countries than Thailand?  A lot of Americans are in the PI as well.  It is not what "the Government owes us or has a duty to do", most of us came to Thailand voluntarily.  I have never met any American who was forced to come to Thailand or is on asylum status.  We can leave Thailand anytime.  

 

Additionally would countries like India or possibly Brazil be higher on any potential list to vaccinate Americans?  If the pandemic poses an imminent threat to Americans then the State Department would deploy it's ultimate overseas tool:  the NEO program, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations.  If the pandemics gets really bad the US Embassy in Bangkok would offer all Americans a chance to evacuate(of course it would not be free).  In essence Americans who want to be evacuated would pack one carry on bag and meet at a designated meeting point and fly out to the US or the nearest safe country. 

 

This is issue is "DOA".  

Is it really?

I heard a report that the US embassy in Manila was providing vaccines to expats from the surplus supply from the VA hospital. So proof that there is nothing stopping them except pigheadishness.

 

(I think this is the first time I've used the word pigheadishness in my life )

Edited May 31, 2021 by Jingthing

[brucegoniners]

I couldn't agree more. As Americans overseas we've gotten the shaft.

 

The US Embassy tells us "your healthcare is your responsibility". And I told them "it's a freaking pandemic, you're kidding right?"

[Jud Canada]

3 hours ago, PEE TEE said:

My friends wife who is from Cambodia was called to attend her first vaccine yesterday (Has work permit) after a 20 k drive to the center was told sorry vaccine finished and sent away .koh Samui. what a BS   

Sounds like the US when it started it's own vaccination process. As well as most other countries for that matter.

Edited May 31, 2021 by Jud Canada

[mlmcleod]

4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

It is not what "the Government owes us or has a duty to do", most of us came to Thailand voluntarily.  I have never met any American who was forced to come to Thailand or is on asylum status.  We can leave Thailand anytime.  

Really?  Most of us are retirees.  Many were forced from the USA due to the high cost of living there.  While I am sure there are many wealthy expats in Thailand, many are not!  Actually,  most of us cannot leave Thailand without vaccination.  This is not whining!  Our embassy personnel live it up drinking champagne while constantly reducing services for expats.  Even the simple income letter was too much for them.

[Jingthing]

3 hours ago, Dialemco said:

Are all these Americans paying taxes in the US and Thailand I doubt it. I feel more sorry for the thousands of unregistered Thai's who were employed in the Tourist Industry but now destitute some with Children who really do not understand why they are hungry 

Not all but all Americans are subject taxation while living abroad if they do indeed owe taxes. By your logic Americans living in the USA that don't owe taxes don't deserve vaccines.

[newnative]

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

And American's wonder where the stereotype of the me american I am special comes from.

    Not special.  Just equal to other Americans.  China is taking care of its citizens abroad, no reason why the US can't.  

[atpeace]

It would be nice and seems simple enough.  If it doesn't happen and probably won't.  I'll just wait here patiently and consider myself lucky to have been in Thailand during this pandemic.  Considering the resources available, Thailand has done a commendable job over the last 18 months. 

 

Still remember the first few weeks and thinking this is ridiculous.  Whistle blowers in the streets for non mask wearers and registering at 7 Eleven, no alcohol,   and list goes on.  Wow, I was wrong!

[bkkcanuck8]

3 hours ago, skorp13 said:

LOL. The U.S. is supposed to send personalized vaccines to each citizen in every other country?. Wow, talk about entitlement syndrome.

Exactly.  There is a difference between US military/diplomatic core and those that just chose to live in a different country.  If it was your personal decision to live in another country (sorry to be blunt), that is not the government's fault nor responsibility.  If the US exports vaccines to SE Asia, they should go into the pool for the purpose of vaccinating all people (the only thing the US government should demand is that it is not distributed in a discriminatory way - other than that of need aka medical priorities).  Those vaccines will also have to be approved by those countries as well since what is approved in the US is not necessarily approved in another country yet.  If you want the 'benefits' of living in the US, go home.

[StrandedBusinessPerson]

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.)

Im in Nepal, and here they will come out to pee if ur self-immolating at the gate, but u have to have ur credit card out for the 50dalla price of admission.  

Edited May 31, 2021 by StrandedBusinessPerson

[LukKrueng]

3 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I expect the kids who took the polio vaccination preferred that, to the risk of being crippled for life. 

Yes, well that vaccine (polio) was developed over a much longer time, tested thoroughly and fully approved for used BEFORE any mass vaccination was done. Also, while most people who got polio were crippled for life, most people who get covid overcome it with no long term effects. And one more point (or 2, actually) polio vaccine was not patented and was offered for all pharmaceutical companies to manufacture free of charge, unlike any of the covid vaccines, and most importantly you only take the polio vaccine once whereas the covid vaccine is intended to become a "normal" part of your life

[placeholder]

44 minutes ago, BTB1977 said:

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.  

If utter lack of knowledge is anything Togo by, then I can well believe you're a Trump supporter. The covid 19 virus is in no way  shape, or form, an influenza virus. So what have flu shots got to do with this?

And you lack of knowledge doesn't end there. Desombre, the former American ambassador, who called for the United States to help citizens abroad with covid vaccine, was a political appointee appointed by guess who? Donald Trump.

[Jingthing]

3 hours 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 

That ship has sailed. No longer an issue.  Such vaccinations of high risk Thais has already begun and will accelerate in June.

[atpeace]

4 minutes ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

Exactly.  There is a difference between US military/diplomatic core and those that just chose to live in a different country.  If it was your personal decision to live in another country (sorry to be blunt), that is not the government's fault nor responsibility.  If the US exports vaccines to SE Asia, they should go into the pool for the purpose of vaccinating all people (the only thing the US government should demand is that it is not distributed in a discriminatory way - other than that of need aka medical priorities).  Those vaccines will also have to be approved by those countries as well since what is approved in the US is not necessarily approved in another country yet.  If you want the 'benefits' of living in the US, go home.

Not really.  We pay taxes for roads, hospitals, etc that we do not use as xpats.  We do expect to be treated fairly and are IMO treated fairly most of time.  It is more complicated than just jabbing us in the arm.  logistic issues, politics, cost, and most importantly prioritizing vaccinating the masses in lieu a small group of xpats.  Perfectly OK to ask for assistance but at the same time staying calm and realizing it will probably end well.

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, kamahele said:

While I would love for the US government to offer free vaccines to citizens living abroad, I know it is not their job nor their mission. We made the decision to live abroad and were not forced to do so by our government. 

We don't mind paying a service fee. It's not about free. It's about timely access especially for the high risk people.

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, morocco said:

Don’t the private clinics offer vaccines for a couple thousand baht?  

No.

[bkkcanuck8]

1 minute ago, LukKrueng said:

Yes, well that vaccine (polio) was developed over a much longer time, tested thoroughly and fully approved for used BEFORE any mass vaccination was done. Also, while most people who got polio were crippled for life, most people who get covid overcome it with no long term effects. And one more point (or 2, actually) polio vaccine was not patented and was offered for all pharmaceutical companies to manufacture free of charge, unlike any of the covid vaccines, and most importantly you only take the polio vaccine once whereas the covid vaccine is intended to become a "normal" part of your life

COVID vaccine development really started in 2003 (SARS1). 

 

And no, the Polio vaccine was not a conservative approach to vaccination (in fact vaccination as a whole was much newer as well) - it was a massive rush as well, and probably the largest medical experiment in history which also had some serious failures (search for 'Cutter Incident'). 

 

Most vaccines are pretty standardized in development, you take a live virus - inactivate it - introduce it to your body so your immune system has a chance to 'build a immune response memory'  so that if you get the live virus .... your body will have a head start at being able to fight it off. 

 

mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer I believe) are newer and all current evidence shows that it is safer as it skips the step of dealing with the live virus and speeds each new generation of vaccine development and distribution. 

 

All vaccines in the US has gone through 3 phases of clinical trials (and now months of feedback and monitoring)  [Phase 1/2 is ... is it safe, what is the right dose; Phase 3 is how effective is the vaccine]

 

That said, I will be getting one of the mRNA vaccines as soon as they are available to me. 

[apetryxx]

4 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?  This list would be long and possibly there are more Americans in other countries than Thailand?  A lot of Americans are in the PI as well.  It is not what "the Government owes us or has a duty to do", most of us came to Thailand voluntarily.  I have never met any American who was forced to come to Thailand or is on asylum status.  We can leave Thailand anytime.  

 

Additionally would countries like India or possibly Brazil be higher on any potential list to vaccinate Americans?  If the pandemic poses an imminent threat to Americans then the State Department would deploy it's ultimate overseas tool:  the NEO program, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations.  If the pandemics gets really bad the US Embassy in Bangkok would offer all Americans a chance to evacuate(of course it would not be free).  In essence Americans who want to be evacuated would pack one carry on bag and meet at a designated meeting point and fly out to the US or the nearest safe country. 

 

This is issue is "DOA".  

Instead of sqwaking VFR perhaps you should try 7700. I would imagine that in all those other countries you speak of they realize the importance of vaccinating everyone not just a chosen few. Xenophobic Thai authorities don’t seem to realize that simple truth so asking our home country to help out is not only wise but necessary.

[newnative]

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

MO, The U.S. should donate 5 million doses to Thailand, of which 500,000 would be delivered to Americans. The remaining 4.5 m doses would be administered as the Thai government sees fit.

 

Pfizer, J&J and Moderna are all approved for emergency use by The Thai FDA.

 

U.S. officials here have received Pfizer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exactly.   Solves the problem and creates some much needed goodwill between the US and Thailand.  

[Jingthing]

2 hours 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 . So sorry now Americans know they are no longer the best or the biggest or even the most democratic of countries, suck it up and wait just like the rest of us . Grow a set and become men . 

Because the US has boatloads of surplus doses they now plan to donate abroad and expats in Thailand are facing roadblocks that Thais aren't to timely access here.

[bkkcanuck8]

6 minutes ago, atpeace said:

Not really.  We pay taxes for roads, hospitals, etc that we do not use as xpats.  We do expect to be treated fairly and are IMO treated fairly most of time.  It is more complicated than just jabbing us in the arm.  logistic issues, politics, cost, and most importantly prioritizing vaccinating the masses in lieu a small group of xpats.  Perfectly OK to ask for assistance but at the same time staying calm and realizing it will probably end well.

If you feel you are not getting your money's worth, give up your citizenship.

 

The US has social programs just like any other western country, vaccine is effectively a 'social program'.  The government is only responsible for their own country, not third countries...  if you want to take advantage of it, go home where the government actually has responsibility for.

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

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.  

It's a pandemic dear.

They could if they wanted to add a temporary new item to the price list.  

Covid19 vaccine.

[connda]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“Biden has publicly announced that all Americans now have access to vaccines, but the government and State seem to have forgotten about us Americans living abroad,” 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.”

What is more irritating is that the US government can provide foreign aid throughout the world, but turn a completely blind eye toward their citizens overseas. 
All the while China by comparison does the right thing and provides vaccines for it citizens overseas in a time where we are told by the US government that China's leadership are inhuman and heartless.  It seems to be the other way around.
You think the US would lead by example.  Instead, China leads by example and the US falls flat.

Billions of USD in tax-payer funds are earmarked for foreign aid including vaccines while the US government refuses to provide care for its own citizens during a global pandemic.

It's not like we're whining for assistance all the time.  The global Covid pandemic is a significant, one-off event.  It should be met with significant, one-off assistance - Like China just did for its citizens, but which the US government refuses to do for its citizens.

Wouldn't it be nice if the US government placed US tax-paying citizens interests before the rest of the globe just this once. The Congress can provide $2 billion to GAVI though USAID to provide vaccines for foreign countries¹ , but it can't provide the time of day for its US citizens abroad.
What an embarrassment.

^{1. USAID to Provide Initial $2 Billion to Propel Global Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, Statement by USAID Acting Administrator Gloria Steele, February 19, 2021}

[placeholder]

2 minutes ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

If you feel you are not getting your money's worth, give up your citizenship.

 

The US has social programs just like any other western country, vaccine is effectively a 'social program'.  The government is only responsible for their own country, not third countries...  if you want to take advantage of it, go home where the government actually has responsibility for.

Nonsense. The government is responsible for whatever it decides it's responsible for. There is no hard-and-fast rule saying the government isn't responsible for its citizens abroad under any and all circumstances. These are political issues not constitutional ones.

[Andy from Kent]

4 hours ago, skorp13 said:

LOL. The U.S. is supposed to send personalized vaccines to each citizen in every other country?. Wow, talk about entitlement syndrome.

 

 

How did you manage to come to this conclusion.     Nothing of the kind!

 

Are you just indulging in a bit of American bashing?

 

[pjmorton]

As Boris Johnson and many others will testify, the US claims the right to tax all citizens on their worldwide income no matter where they live. If the US has a surplus of vaccine, why shouldn't some of it be allocated to Americans living overseas? Seems fair to me...

[oslooskar]

3 hours ago, the green light said:

it looks so easy.. let me lay out the fact.

 

On the the way to the US

you will need a negative covid 19 test and  you have to do 7 days self quarantine in the US.

cost : assuming that you have a place to quarantine, you will be paying for the test around $200. 

 

On your return to Thailand

You must wait 14 days after the second shot to return to Thailand. you will need COE document plus you will need to buy COvid19 health insurance.

you will also need a "fit to fly document with proof of vaccination from your doctor and not just a card.

 

Assuming that immigration accept Pfizer as a vaccination you will need a forced 7 days quarantine in thailand followed with 2 covid19 test.

 

total cost :  Thai quarantine is about  $3,000

 

excluding the airfare or miscellaneous expenses like food in the US.

 

Overall. the cost for this plan is around $6,000 in case you want to get you vaccine in the US and return back to Thailand after 45 days.

 

It surely is a piece of cake HA HAHHA   HAHAHAHAHA

 

Not only is the monetary cost of returning to the States prohibitive, the risk of becoming infected with Covid-19 while traveling there would be significant-----at least for me. Bottom-line, if the U.S. can send aid to India to combat Covid-19 then it has no excuse for not making vaccines available to its own citizens living abroad.