The horse bolted long before, e.g. Songkran and if you think any measures apart from mass vaccinations are going to reduce the spread, you are as delusional as we knew you were when you took control of this country on behalf of your rich bosses.

If Xenophobia and incompetence eradicated the virus Thailand would've been the first to win the fight.

45 minutes ago, SCOTT FITZGERSLD said:

another solution is the mexican - open all now and this way

at least save the economy.

yes there will be hundreads of deaths every day, from the virus. but many

others will be saved from hunger and depression.

 

At least that way those infected along with those vaccinated will help achieve herd immunity eventually, and yes, as you said, hundreds, if not thousands will die, but that is the cost of human viruses. If economies collapse, it will be much uglier in my opinion.

But the Burmeses workers are not all in the camps. A few near me in Don Meuang rent townhouses, four or five families under one roof, or they'll build little corrugated-sheeted shacks on small patches of land.

 

Some of the big main camps have one or two main entrance/exit gates but what the authorities don't see are the small hidden entry/exit points that act as short-cuts to their outside world. 

Restaurants now have an entirely new meaning for the term "open and shut case".

 

In Bangkok, according to one article, 50,000 eating establishments (maybe including street stalls, too?) have closed due to Covid and the restrictions.

 

This latest flip for their flop is going to be the death knell for many more. Unless food lends itself to delivery and the usurious terms of the major delivery companies (30%---nobody has that kind of margin, so for most 'delivery' means 'loss', but at least existing inventory doesn't rot), everybody is going to close.

 

And why? All because 'somebody' thought he was Hippocrates and could beat Covid without vaccines, so didn't order last year when the pandemic arose, and now must stand in line with every other developing nation. The current situation has demonstrated that the powers that be lack the miracle-making ability of a certain religious figure whom it is claimed fed thousands with a few fish and loaves of bread. A few million vaccines currently in country don't quite make for 140 million jabs.

 

These restrictions will come and go until 50+% of the population gets two jabs, which means minimum October.

 

Also, folks in Bangkok and the 'five surrounding provinces', in search of a sit-down meal or simply going home after being laid off (again) are going to carry the virus far and wide just like they did during Songkran. So, if your province isn't closed now, it will be.

 

In the last month the ranks of those sleeping on the sidewalks of Bangkok has increased considerably. Expect it to rise even more now, as restaurant staff is laid off. They've already exhausted whatever savings they had.

 

Overall one could describe the situation as 'not good'.

2 hours ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

Where's the vax? That's what we really need. About 45% of the US is now vaccinated, and so everywhere's reopening. Amazing considering how at one time we had the highest rate of infections.

 

These small, occasional shipments from China are ridiculous. Why can't larger supplies be secured, from other sources? Why can't the manufacturing be done here?

 

I remain critical of Thailand’s overall approach to this, particularly as a heavily tourist orientated country. Vaccinations were clearly going to be the required exit strategy at least 9 months ago.

That being said, a comparison with other countries across Asia would seem to indicate Thailand is not alone in facing difficulties with vaccine procurement. We should have pragmatic expectations from this point forwards. 

 

“Why can’t larger supplies be secured”, do I really need to answer that ?? 

 

Our hopes are now resting on SBS/AZ production ramping up quickly as they work through their manufacturing difficulties.

 

Below a chart of current 1st dose progress in a number of countries. 

Any patterns standing out here ?

 

 

Oh look, it's (not) a lockdown. 

2 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Oh look, it's (not) a lockdown. 

Indeed it isn't - unless you're a migrant worker! 

1 hour ago, ICELANDMAN said:

Migrants are the danger, they are the ones who spread the virus, so let's stop them all in cages, this is the racist advertisement of this government.

 

 

It's corrected now to include nightclubers too...not!

30 days?! Fear has won again.

 

I'll look up the exact details before doing anything, but this is probably my cue to go enjoy the summer in Vancouver. Hopefully things will be better out this way when (North American) winter starts.

Just now, The Cipher said:

30 days?! Fear has won again.

 

I'll look up the exact details before doing anything, but this is probably my cue to go enjoy the summer in Vancouver. Hopefully things will be better out this way when (North American) winter starts.

To be honest, the only change that affects people other than migrant workers, is no more dining-in at restaurants, and malls now have to close at 9pm.  

2 hours ago, actonion said:

I can't see what are the other 5 provinces?

That information has been edited out of this version of the Reuters article, for some reason.   The full details of the other five provinces are in the Bangkok Post's version of the same, word for word, article.

2 hours ago, actonion said:

Five provinces   i cant see any mention of what the 5 are 

Try the Bangkok Post.

2 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

But travel restrictions are just for migrant workers, right? At least that is what Barrow is saying.

Yes.

1 minute ago, brewsterbudgen said:

To be honest, the only change that affects people other than migrant workers, is no more dining-in at restaurants, and malls now have to close at 9pm.  

 

Restaurant dining is a fairly big part of my life lol. The article also says "includes" so I'm not sure if it shows the comprehensive list of new measures.

 

Will do some research to avoid making a knee-jerk decision, but with summer season and restrictions being lifted in North America while new ones are being instituted here, Thailand isn't looking like the most attractive option currently.

59 minutes ago, wasabi said:

If Xenophobia and incompetence eradicated the virus Thailand would've been the first to win the fight.

But, even with "their xenophobia and incompetence", as you put it, Thailand has still fared much better in terms of Covid-related deaths than the US, UK and Europe.  Using your "logic", that says a lot about those countries!

12 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

To be honest, the only change that affects people other than migrant workers, is no more dining-in at restaurants, and malls now have to close at 9pm.  

You're absolutely right but that doesn't suit the agenda of the majority of Thaivisa posters! 

6 minutes ago, The Cipher said:

 

Restaurant dining is a fairly big part of my life lol. The article also says "includes" so I'm not sure if it shows the comprehensive list of new measures.

 

Will do some research to avoid making a knee-jerk decision, but with summer season and restrictions being lifted in North America while new ones are being instituted here, Thailand isn't looking like the most attractive option currently.

 

I would also wait until the BMA make an announcement.  There is a good chance they will try to top the PM's decisions or countermand them!  

something I have noticed hanging out in Bangkok is that Thais, women* in particular are really scared.

 

I see a lot of double masks and face shields being worn. BTS/MRT maybe 75% empty on a Saturday. 

 

*this has nothing to do with me. 

 

 

12 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

But, even with "their xenophobia and incompetence", as you put it, Thailand has still fared much better in terms of Covid-related deaths than the US, UK and Europe.  Using your "logic", that says a lot about those countries!

At the moment anyway

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You're absolutely right but that doesn't suit the agenda of the majority of Thaivisa posters! 

It does not suit the agenda of the @oc_ccsa sub committee that called for a week-long lockdown in and around Bangkok. Or the multiple business associations who opposed the lack of Bangkok lockdown.

New Covid restrictions announced for Bangkok and 10 provinces

 

The Royal Gazette website on Saturday announced measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla provinces.

 

The new measures, which will come into effect on Monday, require that:

1. Construction sites must close for 30 days in order to contain the spread of virus.

2. Restaurants must provide only take home services.

3. Department stores, shopping malls and community malls can be open until 9pm, but they must close theatres, cinemas, water parks and food courts, increase the distance between waiting seats and improve the efficiency of air ventilation systems.

4. Hotels, exhibition centres, convention centres and exhibition venues can remain open as usual, but they must refrain from holding meetings, seminars and catering.

5. People must refrain from gatherings of over 20 persons without permission.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002511

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

New Covid restrictions announced for Bangkok and 10 provinces

 

The Royal Gazette website on Saturday announced measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla provinces.

 

The new measures, which will come into effect on Monday, require that:

1. Construction sites must close for 30 days in order to contain the spread of virus.

2. Restaurants must provide only take home services.

3. Department stores, shopping malls and community malls can be open until 9pm, but they must close theatres, cinemas, water parks and food courts, increase the distance between waiting seats and improve the efficiency of air ventilation systems.

4. Hotels, exhibition centres, convention centres and exhibition venues can remain open as usual, but they must refrain from holding meetings, seminars and catering.

5. People must refrain from gatherings of over 20 persons without permission.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002511

So for Bangkok (apart from constructions sites) the only change is restaurants are no longer allowed to have dine-in and malls closing at 9pm? #3,4 & 5 were already in force.

 

 

3 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

So unrestricted travel for everybody,  except (non-Thai) labors.

Should be OK to drive out of Bangkok Monday.

Why wait for Monday.

Three infected escapees (Thai workers)  from Bangkok in the near vicinity already.

Will be carted to (?)hospital.
 

Big alarm at the breakfast table today.

A mate just texted that the same happens in other parts of the district.

Panic level raised to near max.

 

Great job to announce/discuss such measure before sealing/locking the camps!

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

So for Bangkok (apart from constructions sites) the only change is restaurants are no longer allowed to have dine-in and malls closing at 9pm? #3,4 & 5 were already in force.

So I'm not really sure why you are asking me when it is clearly written? 

24 minutes ago, Excel said:

37 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

But, even with "their xenophobia and incompetence", as you put it, Thailand has still fared much better in terms of Covid-related deaths than the US, UK and Europe.  Using your "logic", that says a lot about those countries!

At the moment anyway

That's what counts.   

Closing shopping malls a whole hour early is sure to save many lives ????

11 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

So I'm not really sure why you are asking me when it is clearly written? 

It was a rhetorical question.  No need for you to reply.

10 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

Why wait for Monday.

Three infected escapees (Thai workers)  from Bangkok in the near vicinity already.

Will be carted to (?)hospital.
 

Big alarm at the breakfast table today.

A mate just texted that the same happens in other parts of the district.

Panic level raised to near max.

 

Great job to announce/discuss such measure before sealing/locking the camps!

 

I think it's deliberate. That's exactly what happened when all the shopping malls were closed last year - many of those who lost their jobs went back home, before busses and trains were suspended.

3 hours ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

Where's the vax? That's what we really need. About 45% of the US is now vaccinated, and so everywhere's reopening. Amazing considering how at one time we had the highest rate of infections.

 

These small, occasional shipments from China are ridiculous. Why can't larger supplies be secured, from other sources? Why can't the manufacturing be done here?

Don’t ask. The answers are all incredulous