Phuket officials in last-minute scramble to fix sandbox hiccups

 

The president of the Phuket Tourist Association says clarity is needed around a number of issues if the island’s July 1 re-opening is to proceed smoothly. According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam says confusion over tracking apps and vaccine certificates are just 2 of the issues that need to be sorted out.

 

The sandbox scheme was approved by Cabinet earlier this week and is now expected to be published in the Royal Gazette by Saturday.

 

More:

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-officials-in-last-minute-scramble-to-fix-sandbox-hiccups

10 minutes ago, smedly said:

So for those genuine tourists that are coming to Phuket for a few weeks holiday and need to go home and get back to work they will face 2 things if Thailand drops to the Red

 

- forced quaratine in a hotel with a hefty bill £1600 per person

- unable to work for at least a futher 2 weeks

 

Government advise is still to avoid overseas travel so they have only themselves to blame

 

I think if the UK assessed Thailand as Red most other western countries would follow 

 

Not to mention the significant risk of contracting COVID (esp the Delta and Delta+ variants) even if they are vaccinated and being unable to receive care as the health system becomes overwhelmed.

 

 

3 hours ago, anchadian said:

Phuket officials in last-minute scramble to fix sandbox hiccups

 

The president of the Phuket Tourist Association says clarity is needed around a number of issues if the island’s July 1 re-opening is to proceed smoothly. According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Bhummikitti Ruktaengam says confusion over tracking apps and vaccine certificates are just 2 of the issues that need to be sorted out.

 

The sandbox scheme was approved by Cabinet earlier this week and is now expected to be published in the Royal Gazette by Saturday.

 

More:

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-officials-in-last-minute-scramble-to-fix-sandbox-hiccups

 

Anyone surprised? Thais simply cannot plan. I'm sorry to say it so bluntly, but, even after working here for decades, from the top of society to the bottom, people seem almost entirely incapable of planning and anticipating issues.

 

That said, they can be decent at scrambling and throwing lots of resources at problems but they are always in a state of lightly organised chaos. And, this pandemic is openly exposing them.

Next week schools in red zones open with almost no teachers vaccinated, rising cases, so the end is not in sight yet. Besides with the delaying vaccines all the time it will get worse by the day. If tomorrow Thai people would stand up and gather with hundred of thousands or million in the streets of Bangkok, maybe there would be a change.. But as long as the people don't react en masse nothing will change

National Security Council (NSC) chief Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, who runs the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s day-to-day operations, said the CCSA is mulling a proposal that Bangkok be locked down for 7-days to contain the soaring infections in the capital.

 

The proposal was made by prominent medical experts.

 

The NSC chief said he would put forward the proposal to the CCSA at a meeting today for a final decision.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to have a personal discussion with a medical expert team whether the proposed lockdown of the capital is a probable measure.

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Thai-Enquirer-Summary-June-25-2021.pdf

One thing I don't understand is why most in these threads are calling for more testing.

 

Doesn't Thailand have current policy of anyone testing positive must be sent to a hospital or field hospital etc?

We saw few days ago where some tents were pitched. Quickly places were found.

 

In Din Daeng they recently ran out of beds.

If I ran a hospital I would instruct staff not to do tests unless people presenting were clearly ill.

 

Only a guess but is it incumbent on the hospital to find a place for someone that tests positive?

Solution for hospital....don't test.

1 minute ago, ikke1959 said:

Next week schools in red zones open with almost no teachers vaccinated, rising cases, so the end is not in sight yet. Besides with the delaying vaccines all the time it will get worse by the day. If tomorrow Thai people would stand up and gather with hundred of thousands or million in the streets of Bangkok, maybe there would be a change.. But as long as the people don't react en masse nothing will change

 I'm hopeful that schools in Bangkok can open from 1 July, but I think it's unlikely to happen.

 

 

15 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Just read that there will be 7 testing centers provided around the Island and the cost is 2,800 baht each test, the result has then got to be sent directly to the command center

I asked at one of the local clinics how much for a covid test. Answer: Bt1,300.

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

National Security Council (NSC) chief Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, who runs the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s day-to-day operations, said the CCSA is mulling a proposal that Bangkok be locked down for 7-days to contain the soaring infections in the capital.

 

The proposal was made by prominent medical experts.

 

The NSC chief said he would put forward the proposal to the CCSA at a meeting today for a final decision.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to have a personal discussion with a medical expert team whether the proposed lockdown of the capital is a probable measure.

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Thai-Enquirer-Summary-June-25-2021.pdf

Sounds like the worst of both worlds to me. Chaos caused by a lockdown, no appreciable dent in Covid 

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

National Security Council (NSC) chief Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, who runs the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s day-to-day operations, said the CCSA is mulling a proposal that Bangkok be locked down for 7-days to contain the soaring infections in the capital.

 

The proposal was made by prominent medical experts.

 

The NSC chief said he would put forward the proposal to the CCSA at a meeting today for a final decision.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to have a personal discussion with a medical expert team whether the proposed lockdown of the capital is a probable measure.

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Thai-Enquirer-Summary-June-25-2021.pdf

Probable measure, that's laughable. Schools reopen July 1st here in Bangkok, parents are already preparing to move from online training to inschool instruction.  Confusion reigns Supreme and then they wonder why they have issues. No one can make a franking decision without a committee or a sub committee.   ????

Can't imagine they'd report more new daily cases than the hospital system can accommodate . As they nearly seem to have reached that limit regarding care facilities,  expect this number to remain fairly constant but the mortality rate to rise, as those being "admitted" will be of the more serious nature.

14 minutes ago, userabcd said:

How does one prevent humans from the desire and need to always want to be around and inteacting with each other knowing that the virus spreads by this interaction.

Lockdowns and curfews would be one way however they are not necessary if personal social responsibilities are observed.  

 

Another way would have been to not encourage travel during Songkran, nor if one were a government minister, to frequent upmarket sex-clubs during the height of a global pandemic.

 

Because it sets a poor example for the public then to follow. 

 

Of course they had ample time to organise and implement a comprehensive vaccine plan so that the need for interaction with other persons could be continued with little risk, however they wanted to control the vaccine production and distribution themselves, which has, as predicted, woefully backfired.

22 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Just read that there will be 7 testing centers provided around the Island and the cost is 2,800 baht each test, the result has then got to be sent directly to the command center

Why so expensive?

I paid about 800 Baht .

6 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

National Security Council (NSC) chief Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, who runs the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s day-to-day operations, said the CCSA is mulling a proposal that Bangkok be locked down for 7-days to contain the soaring infections in the capital.

 

The proposal was made by prominent medical experts.

 

The NSC chief said he would put forward the proposal to the CCSA at a meeting today for a final decision.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to have a personal discussion with a medical expert team whether the proposed lockdown of the capital is a probable measure.

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Thai-Enquirer-Summary-June-25-2021.pdf

 

Shows their fundamental lack of intelligence even at what is ostensibly the top of the society. A 7-day lockdown is not even long enough for a single round of incubation.

 

At these numbers, they should be severely restricting movement for a month or longer, at a minimum.

1 minute ago, petedk said:

Why so expensive?

I paid about 800 Baht .

Farang price.

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

National Security Council (NSC) chief Gen Nattapon Nakpanich, who runs the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s day-to-day operations, said the CCSA is mulling a proposal that Bangkok be locked down for 7-days to contain the soaring infections in the capital.

 

The proposal was made by prominent medical experts.

 

The NSC chief said he would put forward the proposal to the CCSA at a meeting today for a final decision.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to have a personal discussion with a medical expert team whether the proposed lockdown of the capital is a probable measure.

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Thai-Enquirer-Summary-June-25-2021.pdf

7 days is insane when it can take anywhere from 1-14 days for a person to show symptoms. Basically open up after 7 days and there are still pre-symptomatic people and of course asymptomatic people to spark it off again. It needs to be long enough to stop the cycle. 

Just now, Fex Bluse said:

 

Shows their fundamental lack of intelligence even at what is ostensibly the top of the society. A 7-day lockdown is not even long enough for a single round of incubation.

 

At these numbers, they should be severely restricting movement for a month or longer, at a minimum.

They need to take responsibility and make hard decisions.

 

Not traits normally associated with Thais.

 

The likely result will be more mealy-mouthed flip-flopping along with arbitrary and ineffective rules which will see caseloads continue to steadily grow.

1 minute ago, Fex Bluse said:

 

Shows their fundamental lack of intelligence even at what is ostensibly the top of the society. A 7-day lockdown is not even long enough for a single round of incubation.

 

At these numbers, they should be severely restricting movement for a month or longer, at a minimum.

Even better, if going the lockdown route to control Covid cases, put in a lockdown until such time as data proves that Covid cases have reduced to a desired level. Otherwise, why bother at all?

 

if locking down, I think there needs to be a predetermined objective, not an arbitrary time frame. Bearing in mind, lock downs do not solve Covid. They give time for vaccinations to take place.

Just now, wensiensheng said:

Even better, if going the lockdown route to control Covid cases, put in a lockdown until such time as data proves that Covid cases have reduced to a desired level. Otherwise, why bother at all?

 

if locking down, I think there needs to be a predetermined objective, not an arbitrary time frame. Bearing in mind, lock downs do not solve Covid. They give time for vaccinations to take place.

Which is what they should be considering in certain provinces until the caseloads drop to manageable levels and the curve starts to flatten.

 

They are caught between the hard place of economic ruin and uncontrollable virus outbreak. 

 

Either of which may happen anyway.

8 minutes ago, mancub said:

Can't imagine they'd report more new daily cases than the hospital system can accommodate . As they nearly seem to have reached that limit regarding care facilities,  expect this number to remain fairly constant but the mortality rate to rise, as those being "admitted" will be of the more serious nature.

Your on the money and I posted very similar early.

Why would a hospital test any walk in. They would need to find them a bed even if that was field hospital. 

Simple solution. Don't test them. Tell them to go home and come back if symptoms become more severe.

6 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

They need to take responsibility and make hard decisions.

 

Not traits normally associated with Thais.

 

The likely result will be more mealy-mouthed flip-flopping along with arbitrary and ineffective rules which will see caseloads continue to steadily grow.

 

Completely agree. It's almost a foregone conclusion. Much to love about the Thais, but they are exceptionally bad at this type of national coordination that requires extensive foresight. 

 

Good luck to them..

26 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

 

Not to mention the significant risk of contracting COVID (esp the Delta and Delta+ variants) even if they are vaccinated and being unable to receive care as the health system becomes overwhelmed.

 

 

Did you enjoy your holiday darling?  Sorry I couldn't be with you.

 

Wife is tested positive for Covid-19 whilst on holiday in Phuket and sent to hospital whilst the husband is assigned to a quarantine hotel.

8 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Even better, if going the lockdown route to control Covid cases, put in a lockdown until such time as data proves that Covid cases have reduced to a desired level. Otherwise, why bother at all?

 

if locking down, I think there needs to be a predetermined objective, not an arbitrary time frame. Bearing in mind, lock downs do not solve Covid. They give time for vaccinations to take place.

Personally I feel the need for a lockdown of more than a week is more than justified so the chaos of the hospital bed situation is addressed before its completely out of control but I also feel that its not going to happen, how can they have a lockdown in Bangkok the Capital of Thailand while still tell tourists to flock to Phuket?

 

Not going to happen, the Phuket sandbox would also need to be shelved first.

 

Of course this may all come into play if these numbers each day do not go down and I see no sign of that happening............

7 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Even better, if going the lockdown route to control Covid cases, put in a lockdown until such time as data proves that Covid cases have reduced to a desired level. Otherwise, why bother at all?

 

if locking down, I think there needs to be a predetermined objective, not an arbitrary time frame. Bearing in mind, lock downs do not solve Covid. They give time for vaccinations to take place.

Lockdowns are there to break the transmission cycle. What is also needed is real mass testing to see if transmission is decreasing. These fools have basically closed their eyes and hoped for the best and have got the opposite. Complete and utter amateurs not fit to run anything let alone a nation.

40 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Just read that there will be 7 testing centers provided around the Island and the cost is 2,800 baht each test, the result has then got to be sent directly to the command center

What happens to their holiday if they test positive?Is it off to a field hospital?If one of their kids test positive then is it off the the field hospital alone for 2 weeks on the last day of their holiday and have return tickets and have spent all their money?Lots of scenarios to think about. 

I genuinely have the option of leaving the country, and it's the only sane decision if this spins out of control; that's what I'm watching. Over half of California has received two shots, and my son in Alameda county says for him and his family it's as good as over. His job and our family business means there's always a vacant apt to be found for me somewhere. I'm renting here, and I'll have to do something with my stuff, but that's a detail.

34 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

I asked at one of the local clinics how much for a covid test. Answer: Bt1,300.

Does that include the envelop fee?

Uncomfortable to read these numbers each day (and RIP the recently deceased) ...

 

But what is the current plan of attack?? Apart from a few markets and factories being closed, there seems to be NO PLAN, other than to just let the thing run it's course ... so that's where we are now.

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

One thing I don't understand is why most in these threads are calling for more testing.

don't know why you still aren't getting it 

 

most of the infections are discovered when someone with symptoms reports to a medical center for a test simply because they are ill, it is well known that most people who get covid are assymtomatic but are just as able to spread the virus - this means that the virus is spreading from people who are unaware they are infected and the vast majority will never be counted and the spread will just continue to rise - if hospitals are now refusing to test those reporting with symptoms then we really do have a grave situation.

 

Meanwhile Thailands solution seems to be focussed on resuming tourism ASAP instread of putting maximum resource  into testing and vaccine rollout - they have it all back to front 

34 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Probable measure, that's laughable. Schools reopen July 1st here in Bangkok, parents are already preparing to move from online training to inschool instruction.  Confusion reigns Supreme and then they wonder why they have issues. No one can make a franking decision without a committee or a sub committee.   ????

No one can make a decision except the Czar it's all up to him."There can be only one."