US Embassy - where are you when I need you?

[Wuvu2]

I'm a 60+ year old American citizen living in Thailand and paying taxes back in the USA. With the USA pledging to give away 80 million doses of Pfizer vaccine globally by the end of June - where's mine??!!  The Chinese consulate in BKK is vaccinating Chinese citizens living here. Shame on the USA that it is not taking equal care of its citizens abroad. If vaccinations can be done in a Costco parking lot, the US Embassy can find a way to offer vaccines to US citizens here! 

Edited June 14, 2021 by Wuvu2

[JohnOFphon]

I don't think there are any Americans working in Citizen Services any more.

Last communication I had from them was definitely not a native speaker.

Poor English.

 

[mtls2005]

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

where's mine??

 

You answered your own question...

 

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

a Costco parking lot

 

 

The Department of State does not provide direct medical care, including vaccinations, to private U.S. citizens abroad. We are committed to providing all possible consular assistance to U.S. citizens in need overseas, including by providing information on local medical resources when appropriate. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/

 

 

 

I think our only hope is that the U.S. government donates cash or vaccines to the Thai government, with a proviso that some portion of the vacines are administered to U.S. citizens.

 

Expecting the Embassy to set up a vaccination center is, well, fairy-tale land. More likely to get a pony than a vaccination.

 

 

There are some groups lobbying on our behalf. Democrats Abroad Thailand is one.

 

I have to hope that discussions continue after Deputy Sec. of State Sherman's visit with pm prayut here in Bangkok a few weeks ago.

 

 

The two sides agreed on the importance of continuing to work together to combat COVID-19.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/statement-on-the-visit-of-deputy-secretary-wendy-r-sherman-to-thailand/

 

 

 

 

 

[KarenBravo]

So, what happened to American "rugged individualism"?

If the US embassy starts vaccinating it's own citizens, then that counts as the dreaded socialism/communism that most Americans are against (and don't understand). I'm sure you don't want that.

 

As I'm not scared of socialism, it would be great if the embassies did help out.

[sqwakvfr]

I do not feel it is the fear of "socialism" or the lack of "rugged individualism" that prevents the US Government from setting up vaccination stations at the Embassy.  It might be a case of "Diplomacy," AKA: never intentionally embarrass the host government.  Just imagine hundreds Americans entering the US Embassy on Wireless road  and getting vaccinated with Pfizer, Moderna or J&J while Thai's are being told "vaccine supply problem"???  

 

The "Optics" would not be good.  Best case scenario is for the US Government to donate a large amount of vaccines(like 20 to 30 million doses for example)  and diplomatically ask the Thai Government to reserve some for US Citizens.  Then the "optics" would be the Thai Government cares about Americans in LOS(5555).  Of course there would have to be a large ceremony with an American being vaccinated in front of cameras proudly displaying the "Donated by the USA" on the vial.  

 

Of course I could be completely wrong and Ambassador Wendy Sherman is arranging for the US Air Force to ship doses of the Pfizer vaccine on US Air Force C-17's which are scheduled to land at Swampy any day now????

Edited June 14, 2021 by sqwakvfr

[Yellowtail]

3 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

So, what happened to American "rugged individualism"?

If the US embassy starts vaccinating it's own citizens, then that counts as the dreaded socialism/communism that most Americans are against (and don't understand). I'm sure you don't want that.

 

As I'm not scared of socialism, it would be great if the embassies did help out.

 

What is it you think most Americans don't understand about socialism/communism?

 

I really don't give a rat's whether the consulate provides me with a "free" vaccine or not, and I think it's stupid to expect them to. 

 

 

[GinBoy2]

This whole issue fascinates me.

 

I suspect that many who whine about the embassy not providing the vaccines, are the same folks who will berate the 'evils of socialized medicine'

 

Well, in a free society, devoid of socialism, you have every right to exercise free will, get on a plane and when you arrive in the US go to the nearest Safeway and get a shot.

 

Failing that, do you also think; break your leg and the embassy, since you have paid your taxes, set up a triage center to fix it?

 

Sometimes you guys amaze me with your doublespeak

 

Socialism if it's for someone else, but Hell if it's for me, give it to me for free is my right!

Edited June 14, 2021 by GinBoy2

[KarenBravo]

7 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

What is it you think most Americans don't understand about socialism/communism?

 

I really don't give a rat's whether the consulate provides me with a "free" vaccine or not, and I think it's stupid to expect them to. 

 

 

 

They think the two words are interchangeable.

They think that socialism will eventually bankrupt the countries that have it.

They don't think there is any socialism in the US (there are loads of examples of socialist policies in the USA).

[Yellowtail]

17 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

They think the two words are interchangeable.

 

What's the difference?

 

17 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

They think that socialism will eventually bankrupt the countries that have it.

 

I don't think that.

 

17 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

They don't think there is any socialism in the US (there are loads of examples of socialist policies in the USA).

 

I don't know anyone that believes that. 

[KarenBravo]

5 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

What's the difference?

 

 

I don't think that.

 

 

I don't know anyone that believes that. 

 

Of course there are many well informed Americans that know the score. I'm generalising.

Surprised you don't know the difference between communism and socialism.

 

Here's a hint. Norway, Denmark and Sweden are all socialist countries. North Korea is communist.

Russia, China, Vietnam and recently Cuba are no longer communist countries, even though they have authoritarian single party systems.

 

Communism believes that the means of production should belong to the state and has a command economy.

The only country that I can think of that still has a command economy is North Korea.

All the others have embraced the capitalist idea of free markets with the means of production in mostly private hands. When I say free markets, these countries have adopted it to a greater or, lesser extent.

[GinBoy2]

31 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

 

Of course there are many well informed Americans that know the score. I'm generalising.

Surprised you don't know the difference between communism and socialism.

 

Here's a hint. Norway, Denmark and Sweden are all socialist countries. North Korea is communist.

Russia, China, Vietnam and recently Cuba are no longer communist countries, even though they have authoritarian single party systems.

 

Communism believes that the means of production should belong to the state and has a command economy.

The only country that I can think of that still has a command economy is North Korea.

All the others have embraced the capitalist idea of free markets with the means of production in mostly private hands. When I say free markets, these countries have adopted it to a greater or, lesser extent.

You must remember that truth, reality and facts are all relative these days.

 

In the past we argued about concepts which were based on facts that we all agreed on.

 

But nowadays as Colbert said, it's all about 'thuthyism'

 

Facts don't matter, it's more about what, in the face of facts, you believe to be true

[impulse]

Imagine there was a famine, and the US gub'ment sent in food earmarked only for US citizens...  What a poop-storm that would be.

 

 

 

[Heng]

I'd be happy with at least a reduced ACS outreach schedule (instead of completely cancelled).    

[Scott]

Off-topic, baiting, bickering, troll posts removed.   Stay on topic, please.

[tonray]

21 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

If vaccinations can be done in a Costco parking lot, the US Embassy can find a way to offer vaccines to US citizens here! 

Maybe the parking lot at Makro ?

[Wuvu2]

23 minutes ago, tonray said:

Maybe the parking lot at Makro ?

Duh...brilliant. Now why couldn't the US Embassy think of that?

[Thomas J]

I am also a U.S. citizen over 60 and " I chose" to retire to Thailand.  My schooling taught me the constitution of the USA said I was entitled to 'LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS"  I don't recall any amendment to it saying that the USA had to provide anyone with Covid vaccines let alone expatriates flung across the reaches of the globe. 

If you want your "free" vaccine, there are flights leaving each day back to the mainland or to Guam.  The fact that obtaining that vaccine is costly and inconvenient was caused by your decision to reside in Thailand.  The idea that somehow the USA government should move heaven and earth to accommodate you is symptomatic of this culture of I am "entitled" 

[Wuvu2]

17 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

I am also a U.S. citizen over 60 and " I chose" to retire to Thailand.  My schooling taught me the constitution of the USA said I was entitled to 'LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS"  I don't recall any amendment to it saying that the USA had to provide anyone with Covid vaccines let alone expatriates flung across the reaches of the globe. 

If you want your "free" vaccine, there are flights leaving each day back to the mainland or to Guam.  The fact that obtaining that vaccine is costly and inconvenient was caused by your decision to reside in Thailand.  The idea that somehow the USA government should move heaven and earth to accommodate you is symptomatic of this culture of I am "entitled" 

Nothing to do with "entitled" or "free". Access to the vaccine for farangs - at any price - is currently a clown show in Thailand.  There's no reason Americans should not have access to some of the 500 million vaccines the USA decided to give away as a publicity stunt for Biden's first trip abroad.  I still pay USA taxes - I've already paid for those.

 

I - like you - expected nothing from the US government, until they decided to give away hundreds of millions of doses and announced that they have the infrastructure capacity to deliver 80 million doses by the end of June.

[Thomas J]

4 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

Nothing to do with "entitled" or "free". Access to the vaccine for farangs - at any price - is currently a clown show in Thailand.  There's no reason Americans should not have access to some of the 500 million vaccines the USA decided to give away as a publicity stunt for Biden's first trip abroad.  I still pay USA taxes - I've already paid for those.

It is "free for you too"  Try Travelocity or Skyscanner.  Flights are leaving every day.The issue is not the cost or availability it is the fact you believe somehow the government should bring it to your front door to cater to you.  Decisions have consequences.  Your decision to not live in the USA.  That comes with the consequences of not having things as provided to those residing in the USA and not being as convenient. 

 

[Scott]

Troll post removed.  Please stay on topic.  

 

[1FinickyOne]

I think the USA has a lot on their plates at the moment... 

 

Sometimes people expect too much from our consul... 

[dlclark97]

The bottom line as far as the US Embassy and ACS assisting Americans in Thailand with vaccines it is unlikely to happen.  They continue to do 'business as usual'.  But, due to the COVID pandemic, this is not the time for doing 'business as usual'.  COVID has provided an unusual opportunity and need for the US Embassy and ACS to step up and do what is right at the moment.  Yes, we need to respect the wishes of the Thai government but if other countries can vaccinate their citizens the US should also step up.  In the long term this would only help to alleviate the COVID epidemic in Thailand and would benefit Thailand as well as its US citizens living here.  As far as an earlier comment, no the US Government should not be involved if an American breaks a leg, that affects one person.  COVID is affecting the entire country and anything the USA could do to help in this case should be done.

[Wake Up]

Have you considered flying back to the USA for a free vaccine? If you desperately want one then a shot is available in the USA.
 

But the USA does not do “room service” for foreign expats all over the world and as a taxpayer I do not want them to do that for people who chose to live 10,000 miles away from the USA. 

 

As far as giving shots away I am not privileged to all the pros and cons of our government being humanitarians so I will not comment on that aspect of your post. But at age 60 plus you are responsible for your own healthcare and you have the option to fly back and get a Pfizer vaccine for free. Many citizens of other countries do not have that option so you are lucky to be an American. ????

[khunjeff]

19 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

I - like you - expected nothing from the US government, until they decided to give away hundreds of millions of doses and announced that they have the infrastructure capacity to deliver 80 million doses by the end of June.

 

Sending the vaccines is the (relatively) easy part - actually getting those doses from the cargo terminal at an airport into people's arms is far more complicated.

 

Edited June 17, 2021 by khunjeff

[StevieAus]

20 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

Nothing to do with "entitled" or "free". Access to the vaccine for farangs - at any price - is currently a clown show in Thailand.  There's no reason Americans should not have access to some of the 500 million vaccines the USA decided to give away as a publicity stunt for Biden's first trip abroad.  I still pay USA taxes - I've already paid for those.

 

I - like you - expected nothing from the US government, until they decided to give away hundreds of millions of doses and announced that they have the infrastructure capacity to deliver 80 million doses by the end of June.

I believe the UK and Australia governments have made similar announcements so don’t feel too bad you are not alone.

[thailand49]

Whatever is promised to Thailand whether it is money or reported 30 million or vaccine itself when it gets here it will just be handed to the Thai government nothing ask no accountability the Thai leaders if cash will skim off the top, if vaccine the leaders will first get their booster since it is becoming clear the Sinovac is failing what is left will be sold to the private hospital which in turn they will overcharge " Fee " as an explanation there will be complaints to the government the government will make an announcement problem solved.

We will continue to pay our taxes and get very little in return, the current Ambassador will continue her wining and dining PR same all over the world that is politics and diplomacy.????

[kensawadee]

As an American I must stand behind MY COUNTRY and say --- If you choose by your own choice to go trapesing off to the other countries around the world, and abandon your part of being American by residence.... WHY do you think the USA is responsible for searching out all of it's 'ex-residents' and giving them the same care they could have received if they were here 'at home'... I am retired and I love Thailand and until the pandemic (I last left Thailand March 9, 2020) .... I spent about half my time in Thailand, But since I am an American my home is here in the USA and have had the best of care, as has all my family here. ME and all the family and friends who want vaccine, have obtained it.... You don't hear me crying and expecting my country to search for me.....

[BTB1977]

Where's my free shot? Where's my free shot? Never said by any real American.  Now that's some funny $hit right there. 

[Yellowtail]

1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I think the USA has a lot on their plates at the moment... 

 

 

For example?

[fvw53]

On 6/14/2021 at 1:47 PM, KarenBravo said:

So, what happened to American "rugged individualism"?

If the US embassy starts vaccinating it's own citizens, then that counts as the dreaded socialism/communism that most Americans are against (and don't understand). I'm sure you don't want that.

 

As I'm not scared of socialism, it would be great if the embassies did help out.

 

The Russian friends living in our condo got a Sputnik vaccine at their Embassy in Bangkok