Thailand is transitioning to an endemic, so what happens now if you catch COVID?

[webfact]

 

With COVID-19 now spreading at a rate of more than 20,000 officially confirmed new infections per day, everyone is at risk of catching the disease. So, many people will be wondering what happens if they do get infected.

 

Thai PBS World interviewed a sample of COVID-19 patients to see how they are coping at a time when the government is gearing up to treat the disease as endemic.

 

When you test positive…

 

Hotel worker Mekin said an ATK test showed he was positive on the morning of March 3. Authorities had launched the so-called Outpatient Self Isolation scheme just two days earlier, but its implementation was still patchy and confusing.

 

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“I turned up at the hospital where I’ve been eligible for free medical services under social security scheme only to be turned away,” recounted Mekin, who spoke on condition his surname was withheld.

 

“Staff just told me to book the RT/PCR test via the QueQ app. I was not even advised about my rights to social security.

 

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Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thailand-is-transitioning-to-an-endemic-so-what-happens-now-if-you-catch-covid/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-03-08

 

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[scubascuba3]

I can see why Thais follow the process but most farang won't bother to report test results due to the costs that will be pinned on them

[ThailandRyan]

So much miscommunication and then the apps do not work properly and just leads to more confusion as even Thai's are finding out.  Such a disgrace that this Countries leaders including Anutin have no clue as to what needs to be done and are just mouthpieces who blame others when they at the top are ultimately responsible.

[Guderian]

Too much of a money-making opportunity for the hospitals and hotels, they'll never want to relax things. Come next December, if you catch a cold then they'll probably insist on five PCR tests at your own expense and ten days of isolation in the nearest Sheraton or Hilton.

[jacko45k]

Just now, Guderian said:

Too much of a money-making opportunity for the hospitals and hotels, they'll never want to relax things. Come next December, if you catch a cold then they'll probably insist on five PCR tests at your own expense and ten days of isolation in the nearest Sheraton or Hilton.

Utter nonsense!

[bang saen guy]

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

I can see why Thais follow the process but most farang won't bother to report test results due to the costs that will be pinned on them

Only makes sense but I do not understand where these big numbers are coming from. On 2 occassions recently I have gone to the doctor for respiratory problems. First with appoint, second at emergency. No Vovid19 test given either time. I fully expected it but did not see any being administered

 

[ThailandRyan]

5 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Too much of a money-making opportunity for the hospitals and hotels, they'll never want to relax things. Come next December, if you catch a cold then they'll probably insist on five PCR tests at your own expense and ten days of isolation in the nearest Sheraton or Hilton.

True sarcasm or just nonsense, which one?

[Dmaxdan]

The fact of the matter is that Thais are going to have to learn to live at home with their runny noses for a few days, just like the rest of the world has been doing for some tine now, 

[RandiRona]

This is what happens when you keep your population uneducated and poor. The poor chap didnt know that he dont need hospital unless he is facing some serious issues. He think he would get some Covid medication but what he got was just some cold meds. Covid is not death sentence and there is no need to panic but take precautions.....

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, bang saen guy said:

Only makes sense but I do not understand where these big numbers are coming from. On 2 occassions recently I have gone to the doctor for respiratory problems. First with appoint, second at emergency. No Vovid19 test given either time. I fully expected it but did not see any being administered

 

That's a good thing.  Back to treating symptoms instead of looking for what's not there OR a money grab, with the silly testing & mandatory hosp. stay.

 

Starting to treat it as it should be ... just another flu bug out there.

[Neeranam]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

I can see why Thais follow the process but most farang won't bother to report test results due to the costs that will be pinned on them

What costs are those?

[richard_smith237]

23 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

I can see why Thais follow the process but most farang won't bother to report test results due to the costs that will be pinned on them

What costs are those?

 

Come on... weren’t you warming a stool at the bar when ‘they' started taking about how all these ‘farangs’ are receiving fake positive test result and being fleeced for 100,000’s of baht by the hotels (hospitels) who are profiting... 

 

 

 

[RubbaJohnny]

2 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

The fact of the matter is that Thais are going to have to learn to live at home with their runny noses for a few days, just like the rest of the world has been doing for some tine now, 

I'm sure the more enterprising gamblers will devise a Snotto Lotto ???? Hotty totty here we come

[Neeranam]

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Come on... weren’t you warming a stool at the bar when ‘they' started taking about how all these ‘farangs’ are receiving fake positive test result and being fleeced for 100,000’s of baht by the hotels (hospitels) who are profiting... 

 

 

 

No

[NanaSomchai]

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

Too much of a money-making opportunity for the hospitals and hotels, they'll never want to relax things.

I couldn't agree more with that part.

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

16 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Come on... weren’t you warming a stool at the bar when ‘they' started taking about how all these ‘farangs’ are receiving fake positive test result and being fleeced for 100,000’s of baht by the hotels (hospitels) who are profiting... 

 

 

 

Expand  

No

I think you may have missed the point I was making about these sort of rumours being spread by those who love to sit at a bar, gossip and spread negative and fanciful conspiracy theories... 

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, NanaSomchai said:

2 hours ago, Guderian said:

Too much of a money-making opportunity for the hospitals and hotels, they'll never want to relax things.

I couldn't agree more with that part.

 

You think the hospitals and hotels are making more money now than they were when there were no restrictions on tourists entering the country ???

 

 

 

 

 

[internationalism]

thai have free covid medical care, hospital, field hospital, hospitel. Free medication, food and basic medical care from health volunteers, if told to isolate at home. That's going on for 2 years.

Foreigners are in a different situation and insurance doesn't cover hospitalisation in full. In the beginning of February my insurance covered medical care some 50k, but not hospital room charges, food, cleaning etc, which is 93k.

That was just before new insurance rules were introduced on 15.02.

My another covid insurer, which suppose to pay 200k lump sum I will have to take to office of insurance commission, as it's almost a month now since my claim.

So now all hospitel stays are not covered by any insurance and incoming foreign travellers are placed in top end hospitels, with tens of thousands bills 

 

[scubascuba3]

48 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

What costs are those?

Probably numerous tests, maybe they will ship you to a hospitel or hospital who knows

[SmokeandIce]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

What costs are those?

The costs which Thailand wants covered by USD 20,000 in insurance.  If there is no cost liability, why the Covod insurance mandate ?

Edited March 8, 2022 by SmokeandIce

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Probably numerous tests, maybe they will ship you to a hospitel or hospital who knows

There are three main scenarios. 

 

1) ATK+ at home - self isolate do nothing else. No need for authorities to know (most ppl are doing this, some are altering authorities who send a ‘care package’ (usually late 3-5 days - not sure if they do for foreigners, but it doesn’t really matter - its rubbish). . 

 

2) PCR+ at clinic or hospital - discuss with MoPH to self isolate (most self isolate now unless strong symptoms), authorities send a care package (not sure if they do for foreigners, but it doesn’t really matter - its rubbish). . 

 

3) PCR+ upon arrival (T&G) - this is dealt with more seriously as if you are presenting grave risk to Thailand, if symptom free (or very mild) you may be forced into Hospitel which insurance may not cover. My insurance has a list of hospitals that can treat me (no hospitels on that) - Thus, if testing positive, fake symptoms get hospital treatment that insurance covers !

 

 

[internationalism]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

There are three main scenarios. 

 

1) ATK+ at home - self isolate do nothing else. No need for authorities to know (most ppl are doing this, some are altering authorities who send a ‘care package’ (usually late 3-5 days - not sure if they do for foreigners, but it doesn’t really matter - its rubbish). . 

 

2) PCR+ at clinic or hospital - discuss with MoPH to self isolate (most self isolate now unless strong symptoms), authorities send a care package (not sure if they do for foreigners, but it doesn’t really matter - its rubbish). . 

 

3) PCR+ upon arrival (T&G) - this is dealt with more seriously as if you are presenting grave risk to Thailand, if symptom free (or very mild) you may be forced into Hospitel which insurance may not cover. My insurance has a list of hospitals that can treat me (no hospitels on that) - Thus, if testing positive, fake symptoms get hospital treatment that insurance covers !

 

 

since 15.2 symptoms for hospitalisation are 39.5C for minimum 24h before admission or breathing rate over 25 per minute.

It's difficult to exaggerate those symptoms easily.

Other symptoms are not important.

You can say you had high fever before getting tested, but in the hospital they measure temperature minimum 3x per day and under supervision of nurse

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Probably numerous tests, maybe they will ship you to a hospitel or hospital who knows

I'm determined, in such a case, to show them my wallet with 500 baht in it, telling them: "That's all I've got. Have fun."

[huangnon]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

I can see why Thais follow the process but most farang won't bother to report test results due to the costs that will be pinned on them

I imagine a lot of people, foreign or Thai have had it already without realizing, due to mild or no symptoms.

 

The 3-day or weekly ATK testing requirements are mostly just there for people working here or schoolchildren.

[bbko]

4 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

The fact of the matter is that Thais are going to have to learn to live at home with their runny noses for a few days, just like the rest of the world has been doing for some tine now, 

Several months ago my Thai wife came down with fever/chills and did a home ATK test and it was positive for covid and she reported it to the authorities, they told her to report to a nice hotel (not some open field hospital) where she stayed free of charge for about 8 days.  Now, just this week as she was visiting family in Issan she started feeling ill again (slight fever/chills) and did another ATK test at home and it's positive, but this time she's just self isolating in one of her mom's spare room above their restaurant, even today 2 days after testing positive she says she feels fine, but will isolate a few more days.  

[richard_smith237]

49 minutes ago, internationalism said:

since 15.2 symptoms for hospitalisation are 39.5C for minimum 24h before admission or breathing rate over 25 per minute.

It's difficult to exaggerate those symptoms easily.

Other symptoms are not important.

You can say you had high fever before getting tested, but in the hospital they measure temperature minimum 3x per day and under supervision of nurse

I agree... IF you have Thai issued insurance - IF you have international issued insurance I think IF you make enough ‘noise’ and refuse to go to a hospitel (at a charge), they may either let you go home and isolate there, or admit you into a hospital so insurance can pay. 

 

This is of course just a guess... But nothing is ever as rigid as things seem.

[richard_smith237]

17 minutes ago, bbko said:

Several months ago my Thai wife came down with fever/chills and did a home ATK test and it was positive for covid and she reported it to the authorities, they told her to report to a nice hotel (not some open field hospital) where she stayed free of charge for about 8 days.  Now, just this week as she was visiting family in Issan she started feeling ill again (slight fever/chills) and did another ATK test at home and it's positive, but this time she's just self isolating in one of her mom's spare room above their restaurant, even today 2 days after testing positive she says she feels fine, but will isolate a few more days.  

Wife, Son and Wife’s Parents all had Covid a few weeks ago.

 

Wife called the ‘Covid line’...  received a call back 3 days later (symptoms already passed) - 2 days later they sent a care package which contained a load of useless stuff (Masks, Cloves, Gel, rehydrating salts, O2 reader and a few other items) - they said they would not send Favipiravir as that was in short supply and my Wife and son had mild symptoms. 

 

Wife called the ‘Covid line’ for her parents who returned a call to them, they received a ‘care package’ which included Favipiravir.

 

Both care packages arrived 5 days after calling the ‘covid line’ - which is pretty useless as the favipiravir as an antiviral is most effective when taken as early as possible. 

 

Thus: In-laws (and Wife and I by proxy) now have a supply of Favipiravir just incase we catch Covid-19 again and worry that we may come down with more severe symptoms if there is another variant (no harm in keep the drug on standby).

 

In all cases (Wife, Son, Wife’s parents) - they were told to stay at home and isolate for 10 days.

 

No idea if location makes a difference - this is in central Bangkok.

[tlcwaterfall]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

I agree... IF you have Thai issued insurance - IF you have international issued insurance I think IF you make enough ‘noise’ and refuse to go to a hospitel (at a charge), they may either let you go home and isolate there, or admit you into a hospital so insurance can pay. 

 

This is of course just a guess... But nothing is ever as rigid as things seem.

  Until they remove hospitalisation for asymptomatic cases informed tourists are unlikely to arrive in any meaningful numbers.

 

Tourists will not put up with onerous entry requirements and will go elsewhere.

[ThailandRyan]

Had a scheduled repair contractor coming to my condo today to fix a leak under the master suites hot tub style bathtub.  30 minutes before he was supposed to arrive his office calls me and wants proof of my vaccinations, booster shot, and my last two covid tests since I just returned from the US. No problem I said, just send me his vaccinations and proof of a negative Covid test taken within the past 24 hours, ensure he is wearing a white PPE and has proof when he arrives to show me.  

 

The company hangs up calls me back and says they decided they can not do the repair because I am a falang and I could have covid, what a bunch of baboons. I asked again about the repairmans tests and they said Thais don't need only foreigner.  

 

To say the least I told them I would send them a bill for my wasted time and expense.  15 minutes later the man was at the door apologizing, telling the GF his company was scared of foreigners because they carry covid.

 

1 hour later the leak was fixed and out he went with 300 baht for his time....

 

You can not make this feces up... 

Edited March 8, 2022 by ThailandRyan

[richard_smith237]

Just now, tlcwaterfall said:

  Until they remove hospitalisation for asymptomatic cases informed tourists are unlikely to arrive in any meaningful numbers.

 

Tourists will not put up with onerous entry requirements and will go elsewhere.

Absolutely agree... 

 

The simple process of filling out the Thailand Pass itself is a step too for the vast majority of tourists who are firmly in the ‘want hassle free travel’ camp. 

 

Add in the requirement for insurance and its simply a step too far.

 

-------

 

IF Thailand were to behave maturely it would offer free insurance upon arrival for ALL tourists and gives out free ATK’s on arrival and simply asks if they feel unwell or test ATK positive do the responsible thing and stay isolate for a few days. 

 

There is no longer any risk to Thailand of incoming tourists bringing in Covid-19, the risk of catching Covid-19 is present and high within Thailand already.