Cautious optimism infects Thailand as mass vaccination heralds reopening

[Chicken George]

5 hours ago, mommysboy said:

UK is experiencing a rapid increase in cases and now hospitalizations, heading possibly to yet another wave even though 80% are thought to have antibodies to covid 19, and it uses 3 highly effective vaccines.    Sadly it looks like the new normal is going to have to be full vaccination, plus some social distancing.  You'd think there must come a time when things return to pre-pandemic normality, but it's a heck of a long way off for Thailand, especially as it has very little natural immunity.

 

[Keesters]

42 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Got so fed up of trying to register with different apps for the vaccine I decided to drive to my local Government Hospital the staff at one section of the hospital were busy giving vaccines to Thais . I was directed to a registration room took all of 5 minutes to complete and the young lady told me to expect a phone call in 1 to 2 months where a date and a time would be given to me . I did explain that although fit I was over 70 she told me that the hospital were concentrating on giving the vaccines to Thai nationals first which I understand , at least I am now registered so it’s a case of waiting to be contacted .

Go and see all thai people you know giving them a hug and a kiss saying you've been refused the vaccine. Post their reactions. 

[friendofthai]

5 hours ago, mommysboy said:

UK is experiencing a rapid increase in cases and now hospitalizations, heading possibly to yet another wave even though 80% are thought to have antibodies to covid 19, and it uses 3 highly effective vaccines.    Sadly it looks like the new normal is going to have to be full vaccination, plus some social distancing.  You'd think there must come a time when things return to pre-pandemic normality, but it's a heck of a long way off for Thailand, especially as it has very little natural immunity.

I think UK should follow the Hungary`s example. Vaccines from China and Russia are used widely there. And these vaccines have defeated COVID already in Hungary and San Marino.

[keystonecoppers2]

 

 

 

                            sqwakvfr!

 

 

                   Well, off you go then!  Nobody here will miss you.

                   And please, don`t come back!

 

                       Cheers!  

[sambum]

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Of the 28,000 who came so far this year, no doubt 27,500 were returning expats. Expect 5,000 total for the remainder of this year. 2021 is a write off. 2022 might be better. They might get as many as 500,000, maybe.
2023? If Covid is gone, maybe 2 million. 
Could climb to 4 million by 2024. Tourism here is essentially over, as a livelihood. Too many mistakes have been made. Too many opportunities lost. Trillions of dollars in infrastructure down the drain. Prayuth, Anutin and Phiphat could not have done a better job of sabotaging a vital industry, if they were actually trying to do so. If anyone did not see the reasons to oust these guys before, the vaccination drive alone is all the indictment the nation needs. 

No question, with the exception of some infrastructure, Thailand has been moving backwards for the past decade. On nearly every level. It did have a good run. Those days are behind it. So much self sabotage has been inflicted on this rather resilient nation, it would be a near impossibility for it to pull itself out of the abyss, shake off the molasses, and move forward. 

A very dynamic leader like Thanathorn would at least give the nation a chance at having a future. The current creeps do not. Japanese companies are relocating. Despite the.constant lies, foreign investment is way down. Tourism is all but finished. I understand why nearly a million youth are on FB, trying to figure out a way out. The future must look very bleak to them. For many of us, who are fortunate enough to not have a business here, things are simpler, and less complicated. All we have to do is deal with the continuous daily drivel of these goons in charge. 

This will likely be a two to five year shake out. The financial devastation to the economy here is far worse than the 1997 crash. And it will be sustained. Massive unemployment. Millions are out of work. Tourism will not rebound to any significant degree. The people who made up 70% of Thailand tourism arrivals were crushed by Covid and the economic shutdown. The lower to middle income Chinese, Indians and Malaysians. I predict no more than 5 million tourists annually, by 2025. Let us not forget. There were already countless issues affecting tourism long before Covid. And the two year shutdown will only compound that. Trillions will be lost. 
 

 

"There were already countless issues affecting tourism long before Covid."

 

And there you have it in a nutshell! I live in a tourist area, and long before Covid reared its ugly head, the tourist trade was dying a death here - empty streets, empty bars, and hotels struggling for business.

 

 

In actual fact, Covid has provided a salvation for this Government's failings , (In much the same way as the Falklands were a lifeline for Maggie T, and WW2 was for Winston C) but there were many problems that have just been swept under the "Covid Carpet" in the hope that the populace will forget them. The abysmal way in which tourists/long and short stay and ex pats were treated, not just by the Government and Immigration, but the "taxi Mafia", and "jetski scammers." are just a few examples of what was causing the demise of tourism pre Covid. 

 

All the bans on demonstrations against the Government, and the restrictions on the number of people allowed to assemble together? Blame Covid - "In the interests of National Security" 

 

And the elevation of the PM to being an almost untouchable God like figure? Blame Covid because including "about 50 items in Article 44" would have had people marching in protest on the streets but can not because of of Article 44 being invoked because of Covid restrictions.

 

But now, TAT and the Government are wanting to say "Sorry, we'll make things easier for you - honest!  - didn't mean it - please come back!" 

 

And in their deluded minds, they honestly think that by saying "sorry" and "losing a little face" millions of people will say "OK" and book the next available flight to the LOS!!! (Forgetting all the hoops that Thailand expect them to jump through, AND the restrictions still in place in their home countries)

Edited June 10, 2021 by sambum

[Mayhem11]

6 hours ago, mommysboy said:

UK is experiencing a rapid increase in cases and now hospitalizations, heading possibly to yet another wave even though 80% are thought to have antibodies to covid 19, and it uses 3 highly effective vaccines.    Sadly it looks like the new normal is going to have to be full vaccination, plus some social distancing.  You'd think there must come a time when things return to pre-pandemic normality, but it's a heck of a long way off for Thailand, especially as it has very little natural immunity.

Natural immunity? 

[dinsdale]

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Without you quoting a link, I sort of dismissed your post. 

Out of interest decided to google UK situation over the last week. Indeed a 66% increase in new cases. Concerning.

Ta for UK update. Hopefully short lived spike.

 

Indian variant arrived about the same time as cautious openning up. Infections went from a couple of thousand to >7k a day. The UK knows this because they test. In the last 7 days there have been 5,718,293 tests. This isn't too far shy of total tests in Thailand over 15-16 months. Total tests for UK is 190,228,925. Total tests for Thailand?

Edited June 10, 2021 by dinsdale

[mommysboy]

7 minutes ago, Mayhem11 said:

Natural immunity? 

 

Those who acquired a degree of immunity (for a while) by suffering and recovering from covid 19.

[mommysboy]

1 hour ago, friendofthai said:

I think UK should follow the Hungary`s example. Vaccines from China and Russia are used widely there. And these vaccines have defeated COVID already in Hungary and San Marino.

 

A new variant comes along and you're back to square one.  The big mistake in the UK is failure to seal borders when required, and to lock down quickly and thoroughly when there is an outbreak.

 

Whatever its safety, nobody doubts AZ is a far more effective vaccine than Sinovac, which is still a good vaccine.  Sinovac also appears to have only mild side effects.

[digger70]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

The government plans to inoculate 50 million people or 70 percent of the population with 100 million doses of vaccine by the end of this year.

They might Plan that But it may never happen.I hope they Can do it doh.

[J Town]

If there weren't absolute contradictory reports multiple times daily, there might be trust in the reports.

 

If only.

[sambum]

47 minutes ago, Mayhem11 said:

Natural immunity? 

 

Yes - confused me too!????

[spidermike007]

1 hour ago, sambum said:

 

"There were already countless issues affecting tourism long before Covid."

 

And there you have it in a nutshell! I live in a tourist area, and long before Covid reared its ugly head, the tourist trade was dying a death here - empty streets, empty bars, and hotels struggling for business.

 

 

In actual fact, Covid has provided a salvation for this Government's failings , (In much the same way as the Falklands were a lifeline for Maggie T, and WW2 was for Winston C) but there were many problems that have just been swept under the "Covid Carpet" in the hope that the populace will forget them. The abysmal way in which tourists/long and short stay and ex pats were treated, not just by the Government and Immigration, but the "taxi Mafia", and "jetski scammers." are just a few examples of what was causing the demise of tourism pre Covid. 

 

All the bans on demonstrations against the Government, and the restrictions on the number of people allowed to assemble together? Blame Covid - "In the interests of National Security" 

 

And the elevation of the PM to being an almost untouchable God like figure? Blame Covid because including "about 50 items in Article 44" would have had people marching in protest on the streets but can not because of of Article 44 being invoked because of Covid restrictions.

 

But now, TAT and the Government are wanting to say "Sorry, we'll make things easier for you - honest!  - didn't mean it - please come back!" 

 

And in their deluded minds, they honestly think that by saying "sorry" and "losing a little face" millions of people will say "OK" and book the next available flight to the LOS!!! (Forgetting all the hoops that Thailand expect them to jump through, AND the restrictions still in place in their home countries)

 

All true. Tourism is pretty much done here. Maybe 5 million tourists a year by 2025, with zero restrictions, and no hurdles to jump over, If they are lucky. Just really bad, timid, cowardly, non visionary, brain dead leadership. 

[starky]

2 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

They are salivating no doubt at the announcement of Uncle Sam giving away 300 million doses of quality vaccine.

 

Despite their pride, they seem all too happy to let the Farang bail them out everytime

 

Shameful

Yes so easy to be generous when 10 nations have stockpiled more than 80% of all the worlds covid vaccines. Throwing a dog a bone is so exemplary 

Edited June 10, 2021 by starky

[kynikoi]

5 minutes ago, starky said:

Yes so easy to be generous when 10 nations have stockpiled more than 80% of all the worlds covid vaccines. Throwing a dog a bone is so exemplary 

 

It's not as though the Thai government was lined up to purchase any of that so that's a big fat red herring.

[keithkarmann]

2 hours ago, crazykopite said:

Got so fed up of trying to register with different apps for the vaccine I decided to drive to my local Government Hospital the staff at one section of the hospital were busy giving vaccines to Thais . I was directed to a registration room took all of 5 minutes to complete and the young lady told me to expect a phone call in 1 to 2 months where a date and a time would be given to me . I did explain that although fit I was over 70 she told me that the hospital were concentrating on giving the vaccines to Thai nationals first which I understand , at least I am now registered so it’s a case of waiting to be contacted .

Can you please tell me if you have any Thai dependants? I am almost 70 years old but I turned up on Monday 7th at the local hospital with my Thai wife and child, registered and had the vacinne straight away. They would not vacinnate my younger wife.

[Fex Bluse]

10 minutes ago, starky said:

Yes so easy to be generous when 10 nations have stockpiled more than 80% of all the worlds covid vaccines. Throwing a dog a bone is so exemplary 

 

I'm not sure how to respond to this. It's silly. 

[connda]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

This will likely be a two to five year shake out. The financial devastation to the economy here is far worse than the 1997 crash.

That's my take on this too.

[connda]

8 hours ago, mommysboy said:

Sadly it looks like the new normal is going to have to be full vaccination, plus some social distancing. 

And masks -- Forever....

[rabang]

2 hours ago, Chicken George said:

 

You just ruined an exciting fearmongering with some boring facts.

[connda]

3 hours ago, Fex Bluse said:

They are salivating no doubt at the announcement of Uncle Sam giving away 300 million doses of quality vaccine.

 

Despite their pride, they seem all too happy to let the Farang bail them out everytime

 

Shameful

However in the meantime:
"No vaccine for you farang.  Thais only."

But back in the home country:
"Where are you from son?"
From Thailand
"Are you a citizen."
No.
"Ok, no problem, step into the line with everyone else and wait for your free shot."

That's how it's done in countries that are bashed as systematically racist but who have laws on the books making it illegal to racially discriminate when it comes to public and private services especially public health.

Edited June 10, 2021 by connda

[wensiensheng]

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

About the 500 Million Dose US donation, the devil is in the details:

 

President Joe Biden will announce the U.S. has purchased 500 million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine to donate to 92 low-income countries and the African Union, a person familiar with the plan told USA TODAY.

Biden is set to announce the donation Thursday in remarks at the Group of Seven summit in Britain. The doses will be distributed through the global vaccine alliance known as COVAX, with 200 million to be shared this year and the remaining 300 million to be donated through the first half of 2022, according to the person, who confirmed the report on condition of anonymity.

 

1) These doses are not in stock.  These doses have been purchased or will be purchased  You know the entire Order, Production and delivery cycle(which can be long at times). 

2) If it goes through COVAX=WHO then Dr Thedros Adhanom and his gang will probably decide where and how many doses each country gets.  Does Dr Thedros love Thailand?? I hope so.  But Dr. Thedros hails from Ethiopia and the African Union has many low income countries and very little vaccine supply.  

3) This donation will not start anytime soon and will probably ramp in 2022.

 

No need for any of us in LOS to get excited. 

 

For me trying to register for the vaccine has been like ponding my head against a wall(again and again).  I have given up and just completed my ANA booking from BkK to LAX.  Just in time to roll up my sleeve, see the Los Angeles Dodgers and go to In N Out, Chick FIl-A and most importantly "2 Buck Chuck" wine from Trader's Joes.

AFAIK, Thailand opted out of covax anyway

[Lacessit]

3 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

That you were discriminated against based on your race.

Racism exists in every country. Thailand is mild compared to the Chinese and Japanese.

[starky]

1 hour ago, Fex Bluse said:

 

I'm not sure how to respond to this. It's silly. 

Yes it's so silly

https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/95-worlds-vaccines-being-administered-10-countries-who-official-says

And who asked you to respond tbh ? Did you not understand the premise?

Edited June 10, 2021 by starky

[starky]

1 hour ago, kynikoi said:

 

It's not as though the Thai government was lined up to purchase any of that so that's a big fat red herring.

No but it's the false narrative that the US is being so generous to a: something Thailand is not potentially eligible for and b: the fact the world's richest nations purchased and stockpiled the vast majority of the vaccine before most nations were even in the running

[MrJ2U]

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Of the 28,000 who came so far this year, no doubt 27,500 were returning expats. Expect 5,000 total for the remainder of this year. 2021 is a write off. 2022 might be better. They might get as many as 500,000, maybe.
2023? If Covid is gone, maybe 2 million. 
Could climb to 4 million by 2024. Tourism here is essentially over, as a livelihood. Too many mistakes have been made. Too many opportunities lost. Trillions of dollars in infrastructure down the drain. Prayuth, Anutin and Phiphat could not have done a better job of sabotaging a vital industry, if they were actually trying to do so. If anyone did not see the reasons to oust these guys before, the vaccination drive alone is all the indictment the nation needs. 

No question, with the exception of some infrastructure, Thailand has been moving backwards for the past decade. On nearly every level. It did have a good run. Those days are behind it. So much self sabotage has been inflicted on this rather resilient nation, it would be a near impossibility for it to pull itself out of the abyss, shake off the molasses, and move forward. 

A very dynamic leader like Thanathorn would at least give the nation a chance at having a future. The current creeps do not. Japanese companies are relocating. Despite the.constant lies, foreign investment is way down. Tourism is all but finished. I understand why nearly a million youth are on FB, trying to figure out a way out. The future must look very bleak to them. For many of us, who are fortunate enough to not have a business here, things are simpler, and less complicated. All we have to do is deal with the continuous daily drivel of these goons in charge. 

This will likely be a two to five year shake out. The financial devastation to the economy here is far worse than the 1997 crash. And it will be sustained. Massive unemployment. Millions are out of work. Tourism will not rebound to any significant degree. The people who made up 70% of Thailand tourism arrivals were crushed by Covid and the economic shutdown. The lower to middle income Chinese, Indians and Malaysians. I predict no more than 5 million tourists annually, by 2025. Let us not forget. There were already countless issues affecting tourism long before Covid. And the two year shutdown will only compound that. Trillions will be lost. 
 

And all this because they were to cheap to buy vaccines.  Now no jobs or taxes from tourists.

[Bobydog]

10 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Udder Tripe? ????

These "Dicks" have totally lost the plot.  Not that any return will be possible before 2025 because all these money grabbing statements published daily in the "Wish List are turning people away.  Let alone any person thinking about travelling to Thailand 75 YO or over will not qualify for the required Covid included health Insurance so they won't be there for sure.  So sad for all the decent people in Thailand but your Government has fkd your future for you.

[Bobydog]

10 hours ago, Excel said:

What utter tripe

Exactly, Thailand will regrettably see no re-opening before 2025 and even that will depend whether or not the existing Government has left any money at all in the proverbial till.

[natway09]

Day 4 of the "massive rollout"

Any numbers being published of the  actually injected with the 1st dose ???????

[NorthernRyland]

11 hours ago, mommysboy said:

UK is experiencing a rapid increase in cases and now hospitalizations, heading possibly to yet another wave even though 80% are thought to have antibodies to covid 19, and it uses 3 highly effective vaccines.    Sadly it looks like the new normal is going to have to be full vaccination, plus some social distancing.  You'd think there must come a time when things return to pre-pandemic normality, but it's a heck of a long way off for Thailand, especially as it has very little natural immunity.

 

LOL! How many times do I need to post these charts?