Anutin: Vaccination of foreigners living in Thailand has been expanded to the provinces

[webfact]

Picture: The Standard

 

Thailand's DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul told his counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs DPM Don Pramudwinai yesterday that the vaccination of foreigners residing in Thailand had now been expanded to the provinces.

 

Many people on ASEAN NOW's forums and threads have been complaining that only people in Bangkok have been adequately catered for under the plans to include foreigners in the Thai vaccination rollout.

 

People in the provinces - especially retirees in Pattaya have been saying "What about us?"

 

Increasinging in the last couple of days people have been saying that they have been able to access vaccine outside of Bangkok, sometimes faster than Thai nationals and sometimes with Pfizer as well as Astra Zeneca jabs. 

 

Anutin's comments seemed to corroborate these anecdotal reports, notes ASEAN NOW. 

 

The Standard reported on yesterday's meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which Anutin said that he had been following through on PM Prayuth Chan-ocha's policy of treating Thais and foreigners the same in the vaccine rollout. 

 

He said that he had been liaising with various embassies and gathering data and lists of names. 

 

This appeared to indicate that the MoPH was being proactive in identifying and targeting foreigners who had registered as living in Thailand with the embassies, we suggest.

 

Anutin said that vaccinations had been carried out at MedPark, Vimut and Bang Rak hospitals as well as Bang Sue Central Station - all locations in Bangkok.

 

Now this was being expanded to the provinces. Further liaison was taking place with the Department of Consular Affairs on lists of names so that provincial authorities could arrange appointments for foreigners residing in the country. 

 

This raises the possibility that foreigners who have had difficulties in registering and been knocked back may not have registered their presence in Thailand with their respective embassies. ASEAN NOW stresses that we have no confirmation of this. 

 

The meeting also discussed vaccines that have arrived from foreign countries so far - Japan has sent Astra Zeneca, China Sinovac and the US Pfizer.

 

The latest is a deal with Bhutan, previously reported here.

 

Vaccines allowed for Phuket Sandbox tourists to visit on double doses are AZ, Sinovac, Sinopharm, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson, The Standard continued in their report.

 

Sputnik V is as yet not recognised in Thailand but moves are afoot to hurry this up. 

 

This ASEAN NOW reported earlier could pave the way for up to half a million Russians to visit Thailand.  

 

Discover Cigna’s range of health insurance solutions created for expats and local nationals living in Thailand - click to view

 

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[Somtamnication]

A bit late, innit?

[DrJack54]

So what vaccine are upcountry expats likely to receive? Sinovac or AZ? 

Or will the plan be Sinovac followed by AZ.

[HaoleBoy]

He said that he had been liaising with various embassies and gathering data and lists of names. 

 

So Anutin doesn't know about the ExpatVac website registrations?

Anutin doesn't know how many doses have gone out to the different provinces and how many expats have been given a jab?  He should be given daily reports ... 

What use is he?

[Henryford]

Fair enough, i got my Pfizer in Pattaya yesterday

[Moonlover]

There is a department in Thailand who should know where every foreigner is residing in Thailand and we all know which one that is. Why do they have to go to the embassies to get this information?

 

They'd get nothing out of the British embassy anyway because they do not have a registration system. 

 

Having said that, little old me, up here in the middle of nowhere, received my 1st AZ jab 5 weeks ago and I'm booked for my 2nd one next month. And I'm not the rare exception by a long way. So Anutin seems to be behind the times somewhat.

[Neeranam]

I thought, just for a second, that some might be happy and grateful, with praise for Anutin. Sadly, no. 

I wonder if its because of the mistranslated news report about 'dirty' foreigners by the English gutter press. 

[Neeranam]

18 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

There is a department in Thailand who should know where every foreigner is residing in Thailand and we all know which one that is. Why do they have to go to the embassies to get this information?

 

They'd get nothing out of the British embassy anyway because they do not have a registration system. 

 

Having said that, little old me, up here in the middle of nowhere, received my 1st AZ jab 5 weeks ago and I'm booked for my 2nd one next month. And I'm not the rare exception by a long way. So Anutin seems to be behind the times somewhat.

Lucky you, I'm Thai in the centre of a large city, and can't get a vaccine, meanwhile foreigners all around me can. 

[Gottfrid]

Yes Anutin! For people over 60! Wonder if this guy knows that people under 60 can get infected? Probably same knowledge as for the rest of his work. Nada!

[internationalism]

so now blaming foreigners, who did not register with their consulates, for failing to get their vax.

Blame from him also goes to those consulates, who did not supply full data.

That is just pointless exercise on his site, to push away responsibility of his ministry.

All foreigners, who want vax, did register multiple times on websites and applications belonging to this ministry, as well as with private hospitals, ministry of foreign affairs, chula uni.

He is responsible for failing to order and justly distribute vax to all population, without bias.

In face of shortage, vax goes to civil servants, police and army, influential, rich people. Some of them got already 3 shots, a booster.

 

I am in bangkok, I have registered with all possible websites, I did also pay for moderna and willing to pay for sinopharm or any other vax. So far I have no luck even for the 1st shot.

 

Edited August 20, 2021 by internationalism

[internationalism]

"The meeting also discussed vaccines that have arrived from foreign countries so far - Japan has sent Astra Zeneca, China Sinovac and the US Pfizer."

missed those donated 410k AZ send by the UK several weeks ago.

where are they now?

[Havenstreet1940]

I am 83 going on 84 and have not received a 'peep'from the hospitals I am registered with.   They probably have me as ' forgotten in Issan'

[Neeranam]

29 minutes ago, Havenstreet1940 said:

I am 83 going on 84 and have not received a 'peep'from the hospitals I am registered with.   They probably have me as ' forgotten in Issan'

Have you registered at the local Provincial Hall and health clinics? 

[Denim]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Or will the plan be Sinovac followed by AZ.

Wifes friend very happy to get her 1st Sinovac shot 2 days ago to be followed by AZ at Wichien Buri government hospital. She got a cancelation .

 

We are booked for Moderna in October but I will be very surprised if it materializes . 

 

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

So what vaccine are upcountry expats likely to receive? Sinovac or AZ? 

Or will the plan be Sinovac followed by AZ.

Outdated ones

[Neeranam]

5 minutes ago, Denim said:

We are booked for Moderna in October but I will be very surprised if it materializes . 

Why? I just got a LINE message saying my Moderna is due in October, but no actual day yet. 

[Chris.B]

48 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Have you registered at the local Provincial Hall and health clinics? 

If he did, they would probably say 'Not for farang'.

 

[Denim]

35 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Why? I just got a LINE message saying my Moderna is due in October, but no actual day yet. 

We got the same message but i wouldn't put too much confidence in it. Having already registered we actually went to the hospital to make sure we were in their system.

 

However, come October , in such a fluid situation as the Thailand vaccine roll out , we should not be surprised if some of the Moderna vaccines recently secured are needed for booster shots to front line workers and other VIP's.

 

I would seriously like to be wrong about this but having seen what a shambles the rollout has been so far nothing would surprise me.

[Chris.B]

"People in the provinces - especially retirees in Pattaya have been saying "What about us?""

 

I disagree, people in Pattaya have been able to receive vaccinations from Bangkok Pattaya hospital or travel to Bangkok to get it.

 

It's people in the provinces (Regions) that have been complaining most about lack of vaccines for foreigners.

 

Poorly written article.

 

[HaoleBoy]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

Lucky you, I'm Thai in the centre of a large city, and can't get a vaccine, meanwhile foreigners all around me can. 

State your large city ... this is hard to believe.

Many younger Thai's are getting vaccinated in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.  Even up in Chiang Mai Thai's are getting vaccinated.  Thai people were getting vaccinated long time before foreigners in this country.

[Neeranam]

34 minutes ago, HaoleBoy said:

State your large city ... this is hard to believe.

Many younger Thai's are getting vaccinated in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.  Even up in Chiang Mai Thai's are getting vaccinated.  Thai people were getting vaccinated long time before foreigners in this country.

Khon Kaen

[mahtin]

17 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Khon Kaen

My father-in-law got AZ yesterday at local hospital in Khon Kaen province.

I get AZ tomorrow morning at Central Plaza Khon Kaen city, because farang need not apply locally.

 

You say you have Moderna coming in October. You say you cannot get vaccinated, whereas farang can.

If you wanted to get vaccinated now you could, just not different vaccine from the other Thais.

Edited August 20, 2021 by mahtin
typo

[Neeranam]

14 minutes ago, mahtin said:

My father-in-law got AZ yesterday at local hospital in Khon Kaen province.

I get AZ tomorrow morning at Central Plaza Khon Kaen city, because farang need not apply locally.

 

You say you have Moderna coming in October. You say you cannot get vaccinated, whereas farang can.

If you wanted to get vaccinated now you could, just not different vaccine from the other Thais.

I guess he's over 60 and not in the city?

 

I never said that, I said Thais under 60 can't register and foreigners can. 

 

I do want vaccinated, but as stated before, I can't. 

[mahtin]

7 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I guess he's over 60 and not in the city?

 

I never said that, I said Thais under 60 can't register and foreigners can. 

 

I do want vaccinated, but as stated before, I can't. 

Ah, missed the fact that you're under age. Sorry.

[kickstart]

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Have you registered at the local Provincial Hall and health clinics? 

You are right they am in a rural area ,get my 1st jab next week registered  with Or-Sor- Mor and Or-Bor- Tor,our local heath worker and local council.

Ok it will be a Chines job ,but at this stage waiting for anything else  around here ,I am not holding my breath.  

[mickyr55]

3 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I thought, just for a second, that some might be happy and grateful, with praise for Anutin. Sadly, no. 

I wonder if its because of the mistranslated news report about 'dirty' foreigners by the English gutter press. 

It's because of the constant BS and misinformation that happens everytime  the man speaks ???? ???? 

[Chris.B]

16 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I guess he's over 60 and not in the city?

 

I never said that, I said Thais under 60 can't register and foreigners can. 

 

I do want vaccinated, but as stated before, I can't. 

 

8 minutes ago, mahtin said:

Ah, missed the fact that you're under age. Sorry.

 

No need to apologise, Neeranam was complaining under 60s Thais couldn't get vaccinated while over 60s foreigners could! ☹️☹️

 

Edited August 20, 2021 by Chris.B

[Chris.B]

"Now this was being expanded to the provinces. Further liaison was taking place with the Department of Consular Affairs on lists of names so that provincial authorities could arrange appointments for foreigners residing in the country. "

 

In other words, lists of names obtained from Expatvac.

 

"This raises the possibility that foreigners who have had difficulties in registering and been knocked back may not have registered their presence in Thailand with their respective embassies. ASEAN NOW stresses that we have no confirmation of this. "

 

This statement makes no sense at all! Aseannow is saying "foreigners who have difficulties in registering" (on Expatvac) may not have registered with their Embassy! What BS! ????????

 

[david555]

Just now, Chris.B said:

"Now this was being expanded to the provinces. Further liaison was taking place with the Department of Consular Affairs on lists of names so that provincial authorities could arrange appointments for foreigners residing in the country. "

 

In other words, lists of names obtained from Expatvac.

 

"This raises the possibility that foreigners who have had difficulties in registering and been knocked back may not have registered their presence in Thailand with their respective embassies. ASEAN NOW stresses that we have no confirmation of this. "

 

This statement makes no sense at all! Aseannow is saying "foreigners who have difficulties in registering" (on Expatvac) may not have registered with their Embassy! What BS! ????????

 

Did you registered your presence in Thailand living with your embassy ? 

[Chris.B]

9 minutes ago, david555 said:

Did you registered your presence in Thailand living with your embassy ? 

Yes, I phoned the embassy and left a message with the telephonist, to let the ambassador know I was now residing in Thailand. ????