Thailand at 'Crossroads' as COVID-19 Surges Amid Tourism, Economy Rebound

[webfact]

FILE - Thai traditional dancers wearing face masks to help protect themselves from the coronavirus perform at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 7, 2022.

 

Tommy Walker

 

BANGKOK — Thailand’s economy has seen growth in its recovery amid the global pandemic, but rising COVID-19 cases concern health experts.

 

Heavily reliant on international tourism to boost its economy, Thailand dropped its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated visitors in November, with thousands of arrivals flocking to the country since.

 

But along with the renewal of tourism in Thailand, new COVID-19 infections have also begun to accelerate throughout the country.

 

Dr. Anan Jongkaewwattana, a virologist and researcher at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Thailand, has said the country is at a “crossroads” over what to do next.

 

Full story: https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-at-crossroads-as-covid-19-surges-amid-tourism-economy-rebound/6458728.html

 

-- © Copyright VOICE OF AMERICA 2022-02-26

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[nattaya09]

Probably peak and be on the decline within two weeks

[Laughing Gravy]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK — Thailand’s economy has seen growth in its recovery amid the global pandemic, but rising COVID-19 cases concern health experts.

Really!

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

But along with the renewal of tourism in Thailand, new COVID-19 infections have also begun to accelerate throughout the country.

Finally some truth but to the extent I doubt the true figures, like they have been fudged ever since the pandemic.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Dr. Anan Jongkaewwattana, a virologist and researcher at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Thailand, has said the country is at a “crossroads” over what to do next

I would say more at being in the middle of the road with cars coming fast from both directions.

[Rockhound]

I've always looked at the bigger picture throughout the panicdemic.  SE Asia is the last regfion on the planet to be hit by Omicron.  Most countries have already peaked and global daily cases are over 50% down from the late January peak.   In fact the only countries yet to peak are Thailand, Malaysia ans Singapore (both very close to their peaks) Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.  Oh.  And New Zealand.

 

I've mapped it all out.  Orange countries peaked in December, yellow in January and green in February.  The grey countries have yet to peak.  (The white countries have no believable data.)

[blazes]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand dropped its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated visitors in November, with thousands of arrivals flocking to the country since.

That statement is a bit sheepist, is it not?

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

But along with the renewal of tourism in Thailand, new COVID-19 infections have also begun to accelerate throughout the country.

Which has nothing to do with the arrival of international tourism.

This is purely and simply a domestic concern.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr. Anan Jongkaewwattana, a virologist and researcher at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Thailand, has said the country is at a “crossroads” over what to do next.

It needs to find a way to live with it, without over regulation.

[spidermike007]

"Heavily reliant on international tourism to boost its economy, Thailand dropped its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated visitors in November, with thousands of arrivals flocking to the country since."

 

Totally fake news. Thailand is one of the few nations in the world, who STILL REQUIRE a quarantine! Stop the nonsense. Man up. Show some fiber, and strength. Show some courage. Show us something. 

 

The reality, is they will likely drop all restrictions soon, as the new test & go has been a dismal failure, and the world is forgetting Thailand and the nation is getting left in the dust. But, there are a few considerations. Will tourists come here, when Thailand is one of the few countries that has not been able to even flatten out their Covid numbers, proving incapable goons like Anutin to be just that? And will Thailand ever face the fact that international tourists are now taking a big risk by coming here? 

 

Most nations are seeing Covid numbers dropping drastically.  Not Thailand. So, who are the zombies in the room now? It appears to be the Thai people. 

[IamNoone88]

"... with thousands of arrivals flocking to the country" - it used to be millions, now thousands is sensationalised.

[petermik]

2 hours ago, blazes said:

That statement is a bit sheepist, is it not?

Why spoil a good story by telling the truth?

[newnative]

    Crossroads?   Just cross the road already and open up.  Very few tourists are arriving so the infections are mostly domestic--and mostly mild.  Now that the country is vaccinated it's time to open up with nothing but vaccination being required. 

[Caldera]

What to do "next" really is a no-brainer. Let Omicron run its course.

[wombat]

Another unknown expert getting their 30 seconds of fame promoting confusion and fear.

Next......

[thailand49]

Flocking?    That is a good one every surge seem to line up with your own flocking of illegal migrates into the country to fill your need for cheaper labor untested,  packed into close dirty living conditions that is the real problem and crossroad. 

[spidermike007]

1000's are flocking to Thailand. Likely 80% are returning expats, people with ties to Thailand, and business people. Very few tourists. They are smarter than that. Too many less restrictive options out there. 

 

Man up and ease all restrictions or bow out of tourism. 

[NanLaew]

4 hours ago, nattaya09 said:

Probably peak and be on the decline within two weeks

Precisely.

 

The WHO and UNWNTO are calling for an end to travel restrictions globally.

 

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/unwto-who-call-on-lifting-of-travel-restrictions-claim-theyre-proven-to-be-ineffective/

 

In the same way as the UK is doing, repeal the most restrictive laws and rules but keep a finger on the pulse and maintain the abilities to ramp-up controls but only if/when needed.

[10baht]

3 hours ago, Rockhound said:

(The white countries have no believable data.)

You ain't are not just whistling Dixie! You should have colored it RED.

[bkk6060]

I think Yogi's quote is more appropriate:  When you come to a fork in the road, take it!

[kennw]

3 hours ago, blazes said:

That statement is a bit sheepist, is it not?

So quarantine was dropped in Nov ? then what would you call the 7 nights (8 days) I had to spend in an AHS hotel in December on my return from Australia carrying a tripple vaxccination certificate? 

[Denim]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the country is at a “crossroads” over what to do next.

Ask Meg Richardson , she's around there somewhere.

[peter zwart]

Just take the turn to "forget about Covid". Useless to spend any time or effort in that. Focus on the way to get visitors back.

[illiterate]

Slow season approaching. Eliminate all restrictions and if all goes well continue policies into high season

[Will B Good]

At least on a straight road the Thais can only flip flop between forwards and backwards.......God alone knows how they will cope with crossroads.

[tlcwaterfall]

4 hours ago, blazes said:

That statement is a bit sheepist, is it not?

 

"Thailand dropped its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated visitors in November, with thousands of arrivals flocking to the country since".

 

 

The statement regarding dropping its requirement for fully vaccinated tourists is a bald faced lie.

Edited February 26, 2022 by tlcwaterfall

[AjarnMartin]

4 hours ago, Rockhound said:

I've always looked at the bigger picture throughout the panicdemic.  SE Asia is the last regfion on the planet to be hit by Omicron.  Most countries have already peaked and global daily cases are over 50% down from the late January peak.   In fact the only countries yet to peak are Thailand, Malaysia ans Singapore (both very close to their peaks) Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.  Oh.  And New Zealand.

 

I've mapped it all out.  Orange countries peaked in December, yellow in January and green in February.  The grey countries have yet to peak.  (The white countries have no believable data.)

 

[stephenterry]

With the influx of tourists, it is clear to me that the increasing infection rate is caused by locals infecting the tourists - because even if they've been jabbed a freaking million times they can still catch Omicron.

 

 

[AjarnMartin]

So the UK (a white country) has no believable data???

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, stephenterry said:

With the influx of tourists, it is clear to me that the increasing infection rate is caused by locals infecting the tourists - because even if they've been jabbed a freaking million times they can still catch Omicron.

 

 

That was my big worry with the 5 day thing.

 

Arrive uninfected, get past the Day 1 test, drop your guard, go out pick up covid from the locals and BANG fail your Day 5 test.

[geisha]

Methinks foreign reserves might be falling rapidly, and more so since the crisis of Russia invading Ukraine. This will affect Asia and Thailand will have its share of the outcome.  I came despite being told not to. I must say initially I was very happy, but within a few days I was amazed at the total shambles I was seeing. Many tourists having witnessed this will not have the fond memories they once had of Thailand. The government and authorities need to put all their strength in making the country worthy of the tourists who want to come here. Otherwise, do they expect everyone to relish the idea of a holiday in places that resemble shanty towns ? A  pretty beach  and blue waters does not suffice. 

[zyphodb]

22 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

At least on a straight road the Thais can only flip flop between forwards and backwards.......God alone knows how they will cope with crossroads.

About as well as they do with roundabouts I expect...