Health minister denies Thailand rejected 1m dose Pfizer vaccine donation offered by US

[zzaa09]

You know what they say about those who use denial to cover other denials.

Public denial is usually a sign of guilt.

[trainman34014]

9 hours ago, smedly said:

go back to bricks and sand - were you even good at that

No; they rely on the Burmese for that !

[Keesters]

Pfizer vaccine donated to Thailand 

12 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Pfizer vaccine donated to Thailand is being held up by bureaucracy in Bangkok.

Is that bureaucracy Thai or US? 

 

[Scrotobike]

Maybe the Americans (rightly) aske where the first 1m plus Pfizer went as a condition of the second 1m

Maybe the CCP masters are angry

[jerrymahoney]

Khunying Sudarat, US Senator Duckworth meet in Washington DC
September 23, 2021 

 

Senator Duckworth expressed concern over the COVID-19 situation in Thailand and wants to persuade the Biden administration to donate more vaccines. So far, the US has donated 2.5 million doses of Pfizer to Thailand, 1.5 million of which have already been delivered.

 

Senator Duckworth also said that the US government is ready to deliver the remaining one million doses, but the Thai government has not yet returned the required response document.

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/khunying-sudarat-us-senator-duckworth-meet-in-washington-dc/

 

**************************

 

So what is a 'response document'? Could be one paragraph or 27 pages of if/then clauses.

[AhFarangJa]

The only reason they have done nothing, and are havering is because of a lack of these through the back door..................

 

[Iron Tongue]

32 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

Would not be surprised if the Chinese Regime were holding Thailand to ransom by instructing the, no to accept any US offers of help .

In Thailand, never credit conspiracy if it could be explained by incompetence!

[4MyEgo]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

He cited the donation of Pfizer vaccine to Thailand in August, saying that the US embassy had notified the Thai Foreign Ministry of the US’s wish to help Thailand in advance.

We all know that the US donated over a million Pfizer vaccines already which were supposed to go to front line workers as a booster due to the vaccine that it heavily invested in Sinovac not standing up to the Delta, however with clear scientific evidence showing it was only 13.8% effective to the Delta strain, Anutin was still ordering millions of doses, was that a misunderstanding.

 

Next month Thailand is going to be vaccinating kids with Pfizer ages 12-17, so 3 of our kids will get it, what about my wife who doesn't want Sinovac and without Sinovac as the 1st dose she can't get AZ. The kids are less susceptible to Covid so it doesn't make sense that they want to give it to them 1st, in my opinion, it should go to the rest of the population first and the kids last, this is what they had done around the world, but no, in Thailand we will give the good stuff to the kids and the s*it to the adults.

 

I really pray the day comes that when this government is ousted, that someone with balls goes after them, like they did with the Shinawatras and others, however not allowed to flee, because what Mr A and Mr P have done, is nothing short of murder in my opinion and should be held accountable.

 

No doubt if the day ever arrives, they will cry the same story as Joe Ferrari, I did it to protect the people, it was all a misunderstanding, yes that word again.

Edited September 24, 2021 by 4MyEgo

[Sydebolle]

Let me explain the "delay" which is normal standard procedure here: 

The US donation requires Thailand to check a "Yes I want the free vaccine with no strings attached" or "No I don't want the free vaccine" box.  And then signatures (or thumb prints) need to be affixed by all Deputy Ministers and Minister of Public Health as well as all Deputy Prime Ministers and the Prime Minister himself! This might take a moment as some are on overseas duty trip shopping or on the golf course. 

 

Then Thailand will need to appoint a committee of 37 experts to do a 90 day evaluation of the offer.   

 

The offer then is, initially, refused as it came all in alien English and the Thai government is still trying to get a certified copy in Thai. Back to Square One, then proceed with the Thai version as follows: 

The US offer needs to be stamped by the US State Department as genuine, then the Thai Embassy in Washington DC verifies the US State Department's signature with one of their stamps followed by another stamp by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok verifying the Thai Embassy Washington's signatory. The US Embassy in Bangkok and the subsequent verification of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the US Embassy Thailand's signature needs to follow. 

Then it hits a cabinet meeting and is handed over to the Ministry of Health. There the documents are completed with a hand-drawn map to Bangkok from Pfizer New York via Washington DC - all in Thai.
The Ministry of Finance will verify this as a donation and informs customs, that the shipment covered with this pile of stamped paperwork will enter duty free. 
Ah, and before I forget, all this has to be done in BLUE ink, with the signatures of a  majority of the cabinet which must be accompanied with photocopies of ID cards and House registers of all those signatories. 

Any more questions? 

[vandeventer]

39 minutes ago, newnative said:

Maybe the weakest excuse since 'the dog ate my homework'.  Get it together already.

Maybe the paperwork was done in Thai or Chinese? Everybody knows Biden has a hard time with English so check the paperwork out. That's 1 million jabs, it would do my whole town and my surrounding towns.

[Misty]

Doesn't seem to be US

 

From 4 Aug:  "The United States has provided more than 23 million vaccine doses and over $158 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance to ASEAN members to fight COVID-19 and is committed to a comprehensive set of actions towards ending the global pandemic in 2022."

 

https://reliefweb.int/report/indonesia/us-support-asean-fighting-covid-19

[MajorTom]

41 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

Let's see. Tammy Duckworth has absolutely no incentive to lie, since this issue is of zero importance to her constituents. Anutin, on the other hand...

Exactly. I find it very unlikely a US Senator would conspire and make fake news to make the Thai government look bad.

Especially since exactly similar "misunderstandings" and bureaucratic red tape has delayed all the other vaccines in the same manner: Moderna, Johnson, Sputnik..... While the Sinovac was miraculously emergency approved, shipped, and delivered without any misunderstandings whatsoever, at the speed of light ????

Edited September 24, 2021 by MajorTom
typo

[Zack61]

Oxygen thief 

[jerrymahoney]

2 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Any more questions? 

Yes.

[Bkk Brian]

7 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Let me explain the "delay" which is normal standard procedure here: 

The US donation requires Thailand to check a "Yes I want the free vaccine with no strings attached" or "No I don't want the free vaccine" box.  And then signatures (or thumb prints) need to be affixed by all Deputy Ministers and Minister of Public Health as well as all Deputy Prime Ministers and the Prime Minister himself! This might take a moment as some are on overseas duty trip shopping or on the golf course. 

 

Then Thailand will need to appoint a committee of 37 experts to do a 90 day evaluation of the offer.   

 

The offer then is, initially, refused as it came all in alien English and the Thai government is still trying to get a certified copy in Thai. Back to Square One, then proceed with the Thai version as follows: 

The US offer needs to be stamped by the US State Department as genuine, then the Thai Embassy in Washington DC verifies the US State Department's signature with one of their stamps followed by another stamp by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok verifying the Thai Embassy Washington's signatory. The US Embassy in Bangkok and the subsequent verification of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the US Embassy Thailand's signature needs to follow. 

Then it hits a cabinet meeting and is handed over to the Ministry of Health. There the documents are completed with a hand-drawn map to Bangkok from Pfizer New York via Washington DC - all in Thai.
The Ministry of Finance will verify this as a donation and informs customs, that the shipment covered with this pile of stamped paperwork will enter duty free. 
Ah, and before I forget, all this has to be done in BLUE ink, with the signatures of a  majority of the cabinet which must be accompanied with photocopies of ID cards and House registers of all those signatories. 

Any more questions? 

You forgot one important document, a photocopy of US officials pointing at the sealed vaccine containers to authenticate their existence. 

[BestB]

So instead of chasing it up wIth US, he waits for US to give him free donation in a way he wants and only in a way he wants. 

[jerrymahoney]

The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company for their Gilbert & Sullivan productions had someone in the role of Principal Comedian.

 

I see many in the running for the same spot on AN/TV.  especially from the sarcasm squad.

 

But maybe put this in the mix:

 

United States Senator Tammy Duckworth in a meeting with Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai Party, 

 

 

https://www.thaienquirer.com/33110/the-us-wants-to-send-us-1-million-pfizer-doses-but-cant-because-thai-government-hasnt-done-paperwork/

 

Thai Sang Thai Party, Lawyer’s Association suing Prayut over Covid crisis

August 11, 2021 -- The Thai Sang Thai Party and the Lawyer’s Association of Thailand are preparing to sue Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for alleged failure to manage the Covid-19 situation.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004530

 

 

 

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by jerrymahoney

[Eric Loh]

Could have just said that he will investigate the allegation and then reject the next day. May change people perception. But this arrogant bloke just can't do it. Got to display his obnoxious style of leadership. 

[Sandy Bottom]

13 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Then this

Anutin accuses US senator of “fake news” over Pfizer delay

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul Thursday refuted comments by US Senator Tammy Duckworth that the next batch of US Pfizer vaccine donated to Thailand is being held up by bureaucracy in Bangkok.

“From the discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it has been found that the ministry has yet to receive the diplomatic document from the US government about the extra vaccine support to Thailand, so the news is not real,” Anutin said

Sounds like a defamation case, just not sure which party person should file against the other

[monty1412]

Im just amazed how he gets let off the hook so easily.... a misunderstanding ? Mr Anutin would you agree that the most pressing issue for the kingdom at present is the  control of COVID 19 outbreak ? Assume answer is of course .. Mr Anutin would you agree that a major factor in  controlling the outbreak is to vaccinate as many people as possible as fast of people.. assume answer is of course ... Well Mr Anutin surely if  you agree on both counts then making sure there are no such 'misunderstandings " regarding supply of vaccines" would be of paramount importance to   yourself and the department you manage and if there are misunderstandings then that is an failing by you department and yourself personally ....  nail the buffoon next time media .... dont allow him the luxury of explaining away something he is responsible for 

[mtls2005]

The first batch of donations of Pfizer from the U.S. included 1 mm doses for Malaysia. That was announced on a Friday and delivered on the following Monday.

 

The 1.5 mm doses for thailand were announced on that same Friday, and it took thailand nearly 4 weeks to complete the "negotiations".

 

I think when no cash is involved, and none can be skimmed, the thai bureaucracy cannot be budged.

 

Another 7 1/2 years of this and we'll be back in olde siam.

 

 

 

 

[JCP108]

26 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Let me explain the "delay" which is normal standard procedure here: 

The US donation requires Thailand to check a "Yes I want the free vaccine with no strings attached" or "No I don't want the free vaccine" box.  And then signatures (or thumb prints) need to be affixed by all Deputy Ministers and Minister of Public Health as well as all Deputy Prime Ministers and the Prime Minister himself! This might take a moment as some are on overseas duty trip shopping or on the golf course. 

 

Then Thailand will need to appoint a committee of 37 experts to do a 90 day evaluation of the offer.   

 

The offer then is, initially, refused as it came all in alien English and the Thai government is still trying to get a certified copy in Thai. Back to Square One, then proceed with the Thai version as follows: 

The US offer needs to be stamped by the US State Department as genuine, then the Thai Embassy in Washington DC verifies the US State Department's signature with one of their stamps followed by another stamp by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok verifying the Thai Embassy Washington's signatory. The US Embassy in Bangkok and the subsequent verification of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the US Embassy Thailand's signature needs to follow. 

Then it hits a cabinet meeting and is handed over to the Ministry of Health. There the documents are completed with a hand-drawn map to Bangkok from Pfizer New York via Washington DC - all in Thai.
The Ministry of Finance will verify this as a donation and informs customs, that the shipment covered with this pile of stamped paperwork will enter duty free. 
Ah, and before I forget, all this has to be done in BLUE ink, with the signatures of a  majority of the cabinet which must be accompanied with photocopies of ID cards and House registers of all those signatories. 

Any more questions? 

This reminds me of when my wife and I tried to get our U.S. marriage certificate put into the registry at the amphur. They required a stamp from a certain office. We went to that office for the stamp. That office wouldn't stamp it until another office would stamp it. We went to that office. They said they couldn't stamp it until the first office would stamp it. So, we went back to that office and were told they wouldn't stamp it until the other one did. We gave up. 

[MrJ2U]

Desperate for vaccines,

 

especially any without the "Red Star" emblem and low efficiency rates.

 

Why play these political games while lives are in the balance.

 

Hopefully he can arrange to get this offer.

[aboctok]

It's pretty simple, if you'd like to help me out with anything, you can, but make sure you adhere to my particular protocols, or your application to assist me will go unheeded.

Edited September 24, 2021 by aboctok

[terryofcrete]

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

Shambolic and totally immoral. 

Criminally negligent and should be sacked and charged and tried in a court of law , but TIT.....Sadly

[pseudorabies]

Just looking at what Anutin has done or neglected to do during the last 6 months - 

- Moderna vaccine purchase by private hospitals delayed because "paperwork not submitted or lost".  Delay probably would have been indefinite if it hadn't gotten attention by the press

- J&J vaccine - after submitting paperwork and getting approval, Anutin alleges, when asked about the J&J vaccine in an interview, that J&J have stopped responding to emails and calls from his office.  My guess is that it's the other way around - that his office ignored J&J's interest to make a deal for purchase and J&J then gave up.  Duckworth should give J&J a call to find out what really happened.

- And now the Pfizer donation.  Again the claim of "no paperwork".

 

There is clearly a pattern here. Back in May-June it seemed that he did not want western vaccines in the country.  It seems that nothing has changed.  Yes he accepted the initial Pfizer donations but had to because the crisis was peaking and there was tremendous visibility and pressure. He had no choice.  Now that the number of cases is supposedly declining it looks like he's back to his original position of using Chinese vaccines almost exclusively.

Edited September 24, 2021 by pseudorabies

[Jimbo2014]

The man is in need of a medical diagnosis for Alzheimer's!.

[Sydebolle]

13 minutes ago, JCP108 said:

This reminds me of when my wife and I tried to get our U.S. marriage certificate put into the registry at the amphur. They required a stamp from a certain office. We went to that office for the stamp. That office wouldn't stamp it until another office would stamp it. We went to that office. They said they couldn't stamp it until the first office would stamp it. So, we went back to that office and were told they wouldn't stamp it until the other one did. We gave up. 

Regretfully we all have been there ......... and then some wonder, why Thailand became a failed state! 

[Sydebolle]

33 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

You forgot one important document, a photocopy of US officials pointing at the sealed vaccine containers to authenticate their existence. 

How ignorant of me, mea maxima culpa. The fine for omitting this most important piece is THB 500 or 25 years in jail - or both! 

[law ling]

A typical deflecting-the-blame game:

 

US says: "You didn't do X"

Thai says: "We did Y" (and adds the "misunderstanding" tag, which must resonate as a fully acceptable excuse in the Thai mindset).

 

The cock-up should be a sacking offence for the minister (and his head of department) - but it'll just get another roll of the eyes and shake of the head - there are no consequences here ... (but they better keep working on getting an amnesty ... just in case).

 

Haha ... as the coup was plotted years ago in dark, smoke-filled back-rooms, it never occured to them that if they pulled if off they'd have to competently run the country? ... no one ever mentioned how hard that would be!