BBC report Thai Covid crisis latest - who's going to visit Thailand after reading that?

[webfact]

THAI NEWS PIX

 

BBC Thai delved into the details of the explosion of Covid-19 cases in Thailand and the resulting ramping up of measures to stop the situation spiralling out of control. 

 

Their report was accompanied by a policeman in mask with what looked like a high powered rifle. 

 

And their headline screamed: "Strict Lockdown in 13 provinces - Public asked to stay in their homes all day."

 

Thailand has been bigging up the prospect of having tourists return to their country and some analysts in Thai tourism circles suggested British nationals were some of the largest numbers who just couldn't wait to come. 

 

Many will be seeing the curfew headlines coming out of Thailand - and pictures of officials with weapons - and deciding to holiday at home or closer to home, suggests ASEAN Now. 

 

While the UK continues to report bigger Covid-19 numbers than Thailand officials there are saying that the country can be opened up as the success of their vaccination program means less hospitalizations and less serious illness for those infected.

 

Monday was billed by the press as "Freedom Day" in the UK though some expressed caution. 

 

No such claim of vax success can be made in Thailand where there has been a widely criticized vaccine rollout characterized by infighting and conflicting statements confusing both residents of the country and people looking in from abroad. 

 

Vaccines have been limited amid highly conflicting reports of availability in both the public and private sectors. 

 

The BBC published a damning graph of infections in Thailand. 

 

They quoted the head of the National Security Council and CCSA Natthaphol Nakphanich - a general - as saying that the words "refrain from" could soon become "forbidden".

 

They said that the Delta variant was now responsible for 60% of cases.

 

They quoted leading spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin as saying that if the current ramped up measures were not introduced daily cases could reach almost 32,000.

 

Lowest case scenario was in the 9,000 to 12,000 daily case range. 

 

THAI NEWS PIX

 

They also had a picture with a huge sign on accommodation forbidding entry. 

 

With Thailand's tourism minister and TAT chief still trying to promote tourism and the prime minister insisting on a 120 day reopening plan, many are saying that such optimistic calls are unrealistic. 

 

While Thailand does not have a sign restricting entry yet, many abroad reading reports like in the BBC will be deciding themselves whether a trip to the SE Asian nation is advisable. 

 

-- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-07-20

 

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[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, webfact said:

They quoted leading spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin as saying that if the current ramped up measures were not introduced daily cases could reach almost 32,000.

Almost as bad as the numbers in the vaccinated UK.

Current daily average UK new infections 37k

Cases in the UK | Coronavirus in the UK (data.gov.uk)

Edited July 20, 2021 by BritManToo

[HaoleBoy]

"characterized by infighting and conflicting statements "

This is only part of what is happening though ...

• still not told if mRNA vaccines have been ordered yet (only been told talks are happening)
• never any information or investigation on the local AstraZenica production problems
• what is happening with the 1.5 million vaccine doses donated by the US
• what was done with the $68 million donated by Australia
• why is more Sinovac ordered

Edited July 20, 2021 by HaoleBoy

[Gottfrid]

Just maybe they should have entered in to the Covax program. 

[JonnyF]

13 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Almost as bad as the numbers in the vaccinated UK.

Current daily average UK new infections 37k

Cases in the UK | Coronavirus in the UK (data.gov.uk)

But in fairness, they do millions of tests and the deaths in the UK have plummeted.

 

You can't stop people getting Covid, you can only stop them dying of it and then learn to live with Covid. Which is what the UK's vaccination process has done.

 

Thailand on the other hand....

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

You can't stop people getting Covid, you can only stop them dying of it and then learn to live with Covid. Which is what the UK's vaccination process has done.

The other theory being ........

Most of the Brits likely to die of COVID have already died.

[Neeranam]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

Thailand on the other hand....

What do you mean?

 

On quick check,

 

Deaths in UK = 129,000

Deaths in Thailand = 3,000

 

Are you just Thai bashing or is there something I can't see here? 

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The other theory being ........

Most of the Brits likely to die of COVID have already died.

I see you're a 'glass half empty' type of guy then? ????

 

Who knows how many old people died of this in Thailand. It's not like they test them to find out...

[colinneil]

Ohh dear poor ole Prayut aint gonna like that, he will ban the BBC for telling the truth.

Great photo cop standing there with a bloody BIG gun, if that does not frighten tourists away nothing will.

Edited July 20, 2021 by colinneil

[Laughing Gravy]

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Are you just Thai bashing or is there something I can't see here? 

It begins with T and ends in esting! Also the numbers of people who are vaccinated and not just one jab.

Edited July 20, 2021 by Laughing Gravy

[RotBenz8888]

Add the increasing protests... will be an even grester mess pretty soon.. 

[smedly]

what are the odds the BBC will now be banned in Thailand - that is the usual response when foreign media tell the truth 

[smedly]

4 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

I see you're a 'glass half empty' type of guy then? ????

 

Who knows how many old people died of this in Thailand. It's not like they test them to find out...

correct

[Dmaxdan]

So how long will it be before the BBC website is blocked here?

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, smedly said:

share some background - like your age for example

you sound very confident that covid is meaningless to you - perhaps a foolhardy view  

65 ....... had COVID right at the start in Jan 2019.... correction Jan 2020 ..... after mixing with Chinese at Chiang Mai/Saigon airports. My family all had it the next week when I returned, this was before the world was scared.

Nasty lingering cough was about the worst of it.

 

Edited July 20, 2021 by BritManToo

[Neeranam]

9 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

It begins with T and ends in esting!

Well, obviously the UK has more testing as it is a developed country. However, all deaths in Thailand are recorded, so testing makes no difference here. Bashers will bash, like the retired Yankee businessman lolling in the Florida sunshine, complaining about the state of the nation! 

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

65 ....... had COVID right at the start in Jan 2019 after mixing with Chinese at Chiang Mai/Saigon airports. My family all had it the next week when I returned, this was before the world was scared.

Nasty lingering cough was about the worst of it.

 

Exactly,there's a lot of people worrying about nothing. My mother, who is 80 soon, had it with NO symptoms, as did 4 other relatives over 80. 

[JonnyF]

15 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

What do you mean?

 

On quick check,

 

Deaths in UK = 129,000

Deaths in Thailand = 3,000

 

Are you just Thai bashing or is there something I can't see here? 

I'm looking at the situation in July 2021. Current daily figures. Or do you want to go back to see who did best with the Spanish flu in 1918?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

Their report was accompanied by a policeman in mask with what looked like a high powered rifle. 

 

If only the current government could shoot the coronavirus, they'd be out of the pandemic in no time.  Unfortunately, gunfire is not a medically approved treatment!  ????

 

[smedly]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

65 ....... had COVID right at the start in Jan 2019 after mixing with Chinese at Chiang Mai/Saigon airports.

My family all had it the next week when I returned, this was before the world was scared.

 

I am 5 yesrs younger than you and generally healthy, I had a similar experience to you when I visited BKK FEB 2019, I used public transport for the whole day - when I returned I did experience what I would describe as a mild flu - never got tested but would like an antibody test to see if I have actually been infected before - very hard to find for some reason

 

but thanks for sharing your experience  

[ArcticFox]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

Many will be seeing the curfew headlines coming out of Thailand - and pictures of officials with weapons - and deciding to holiday at home or closer to home, suggests ASEAN Now. 

Only if they read the Thai language.  This is a BBC Thai page written in Thai.  The average Brit will never see it.

[Bluespunk]

 

As the article is on BBC THAI and entirely in Thai script, I doubt any brits will see or be able to read it. 
 

There may be an accompanying article on the BBC’s main English language site but I can’t find it. 

[grego49]

22 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Just maybe they should have entered in to the Covax program. 

Of course they should have,but no money or brown envelopes for them.

[Dogmatix]

They quoted leading spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin as saying that if the current ramped up measures were not introduced daily cases could reach almost 32,000.

 

Try 60,000.  That be more in line with what happened in India pro rata to the population.

[Neeranam]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

I'm looking at the situation in July 2021. Current daily figures. Or do you want to go back to see who did best with the Spanish flu in 1918?

No, I don't care about Spanish flu, I am talking about deaths from Covid. 

 

Do you think that the UK has done better than Thailand? 

[smedly]

4 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

However, all deaths in Thailand are recorded

they might be recorded but not investigated - deaths here are seldom signed off by a medical professional - the village head man might sign a paper 

[Exploring Thailand]

15 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

What do you mean?

 

On quick check,

 

Deaths in UK = 129,000

Deaths in Thailand = 3,000

 

Are you just Thai bashing or is there something I can't see here? 

He means the death rate has plummeted.  Currently the UK has 4-5 times the number of new infections Thailand has, but a quarter of the new deaths. It has a much higher percentage of people vaccinated and is vaccinating the remaining people more quickly.

 

All that said, I'm not sure I agree with the policy to throw away all precautions. They have removed the requirements to wear a mask, for example. People can still go about their daily lives while wearing a mask.

[Neeranam]

3 minutes ago, ArcticFox said:

Only if they read the Thai language.  This is a BBC Thai page written in Thai.  The average Brit will never see it.

Oh, well much ado about nothing. 

[JonnyF]

 

I like it here as well. But the reality is that the UK is mostly vaccinated and is returning to normal while Thailand is getting deeper into the mire every day. Still, if denial makes you feel better, fill yer boots. 

[Dogmatix]

5 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Exactly,there's a lot of people worrying about nothing. My mother, who is 80 soon, had it with NO symptoms, as did 4 other relatives over 80. 

Glad to hear they did not get sick.  But could be a different story with delta which is more contagious and strikes faster and harder.