US Secretary of State cancels visit to Thailand over COVID-19 concerns

[webfact]

This handout photo taken and released on December 15, 2021 by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (R) welcoming US Secretary of State Antony Blinken upon his arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya. (AFP PHOTO / Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

 

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has cut his Southeast Asian tour short and cancelled appointments in Thailand tomorrow (Thursday), over COVID-19 concerns following a confirmed COVID-19 infection in a member of the travelling press corps.

 

Blinken was in Indonesia yesterday and arrived in Malaysia today, when a journalist tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur. The Secretary of State was originally due to arrive in Thailand this evening and meet with senior Thai officials tomorrow.

 

Thailand’s Prime Minister Office has also announced a cancellation of the meeting between Blinken and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House tomorrow at 12.40 pm.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/us-secretary-of-state-cancels-visit-to-thailand-over-covid-19-concerns/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-12-15

 

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[Gold Star]

Now who is going to come over and tell him that he does not have to suck up to the Chinese so much?

 

Thailand could be a much larger recipient of western investment as factories and business leave China, and search elsewhere to set up in more hospitable countries.

 

If he could only see that carrot, perhaps some stupid restrictions and rules for foreigners coming and living in Thailand might become more bearable than they are now.

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has cut his Southeast Asian tour short and cancelled appointments in Thailand tomorrow (Thursday), over COVID-19 concerns

Sorry, but this really sends a bad message for American tourists if even the bosses are too scared. 

 

 

 

 

[spidermike007]

Seems like more silly and inane over reaction to Covid. They would be all masked up anyway. What exactly was his issue, anyway? 

 

This coming from a representative of the nation with the highest number of cases per day. 

[MasterBaker]

this heading doesn't make any sense as US cases are 1000 times higher, unless they know something we don't

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s Prime Minister Office has also announced a cancellation of the meeting between Blinken and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House tomorrow at 12.40 pm.

Nothing lost...

[brianthainess]

This is what happens when you don't spray reporters in the face with alcohol init. 

[khunjeff]

5 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Sorry, but this really sends a bad message for American tourists if even the bosses are too scared. 

 

The concern wasn't about Covid in Thailand, it was about a member of the traveling press testing positive - meaning many other people in the party, who generally all travel on the same plane, were also exposed. The report isn't clear, but it would seem that either the US side, the Thais, or both, didn't want to risk bringing potentially Covid-positive officials to high level meetings in Thailand.

[Venom]

If he's been fully vaccinated then why is he still living in fear? ????

[Paradise Pete]

Wait - the U.S. Secretary of State is named A. Blinken? ????????

Edited December 16, 2021 by Paradise Pete

[tomazbodner]

I guess US Secretary of State didn't want to spend 2 weeks in hospital if he tested positive...

[chickenslegs]

12 minutes ago, Paradise Pete said:

Wait - the U.S. Secretary of State is named A. Blinken? ????????

Took a while, but I clicked when I saw the top hat.

[connda]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Seems like more silly and inane over reaction to Covid. They would be all masked up anyway. What exactly was his issue, anyway? 

 

This coming from a representative of the nation with the highest number of cases per day. 

He has his Covid shots up to date, right?  So - what does he have to worry about?

[John Drake]

Didn't have the right health insurance, so the secretary of state had his ThaiPass rejected.

[wwest5829]

2 hours ago, khunjeff said:

The concern wasn't about Covid in Thailand, it was about a member of the traveling press testing positive - meaning many other people in the party, who generally all travel on the same plane, were also exposed. The report isn't clear, but it would seem that either the US side, the Thais, or both, didn't want to risk bringing potentially Covid-positive officials to high level meetings in Thailand.

Agreed ...

[placnx]

4 hours ago, MasterBaker said:

this heading doesn't make any sense as US cases are 1000 times higher, unless they know something we don't

Having been invited at the lunch hour, maybe he's afraid of eating chili, and Covid is just an excuse.

[placnx]

2 hours ago, connda said:

He has his Covid shots up to date, right?  So - what does he have to worry about?

He should have canceled the whole trip and waited for a few weeks after the booster, or taken a Learjet with close staff only. Until we know more about Omicron, wouldn't it be better to avoid long flights?

[kevin612]

This Does not make sense, USA has highest Covid cases daily.

[ukrules]

7 hours ago, MasterBaker said:

this heading doesn't make any sense as US cases are 1000 times higher, unless they know something we don't

One of the team of US journalists that travel with these guys has COVID, isn't that clear?

 

What might not be clear is that when people like this guy travel - they bring the US press with them - sometimes on the same plane and other times (like when the President travels) they come on a separate plane if they need heavy media coverage.

 

Bringing COVID into Thailand from another country is what this is about, COVID rates in the US are not relevant to what's happening here.

[zzaa09]

9 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Seems like more silly and inane over reaction to Covid. They would be all masked up anyway. What exactly was his issue, anyway? 

 

This coming from a representative of the nation with the highest number of cases per day. 

Deeply twisted irony is lost on many, I'm sure....

Don't know which culture is more fanciful in scope than the other. 

'Tis all a bit charade, anyway.

[AustinRacing]

A Blink and pufffff he’s gone. 

[jerrymahoney]

(Twitter from) Secretary Antony Blinken:

 

I spoke today with Thai DPM Don Pramudwinai to express my regret at not being able to visit Bangkok this week. I invited DPM Don to Washington at the earliest opportunity and noted that I would re-schedule my visit to Thailand, as we continue to build the U.S.-Thai Alliance.

10:23 PM · Dec 15, 2021

https://www.voanews.com/a/blinken-postpones-thailand-trip-after-member-of-us-traveling-press-tests-positive-for-covid-19/6355892.html

[Scott Tracy]

Anutin wasn't allowed into Switzerland, so Abe is not permitted into Thailand.

[unblocktheplanet]

Heard Winken & Nod were Covid+...

[Jingthing]

Even though this is not a good look for the U.S. (what else is new?) it was much better to cancel than risk being among the Patient Zeros for importing Omicron to Thailand.