Analysis/Opinion: Pressure is on Thai Government from all directions to drop and ease Covid-19 restrictions but it won’t happen yet. Here is why.

[itsari]

19 minutes ago, LALes said:

I'm in Danang now and its quite empty.  Of course, its only 2 weeks into the re-open so its too early to tell what it will look like in the future.  The last time I was here in  2019, the place was full of Korean, Japanese and Chinese.  They are all gone.  Some Americans living here but only a smattering of tourists.  Plane was half full coming over from BKK and not all of them were tourists.

Not much different in Ho Chi Minh.  I was the only white face around much of the time.  I kinda like this.

Vietnam is easier to get into than Thailand but not by much.  Only difference is no quarantine.  I still needed vax card, insurance, e-visa and negative Antigen 24 hr test.

Thank you for your post . Many foreigners here take great joy in knocking what ever the Thai Government  decides during  the pandemic period . 

 

[pokerface1]

47 minutes ago, RandiRona said:

Well...why it is so difficult to understand that covid is already here and incoming tourists wont make it any worse. Actually incoming tourists are taking a bit risk by visiting a covid infested city. They need to make it easier so that more are able to come and spend.

Agreed in fact he government should be paying tourists to come when they are faced with the risk of catching Covid when they arrive. Plus free testing, accommodation, and a handy massage.

[dave moir]

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

 

I think they should do exactly the same as I think all other countries should do for the unvaccinated  - give them all a recorded letter stating that if you do not take the vaccine and get covid, you will be last in the queue for covid health care after all the vaccinated.  Your choice to have the vaccine or not, but you gamble with the last in the line. I firmly believe all should have a choice, but all should live with the consequences of that choice

Looking at statistics from the UK it's the vaccinated that are in the majority getting Covid and also dying from Covid so why should you want to punish the unvaccinated?

I would think the same applies in Thailand! All those I know that have caught Covid here are all triple vaxed!

 

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, fredscats said:

Its a massive money maker for Thailand,the only one operating at the moment,probably into the distant future

"Its a massive money maker for Thailand," I suspect you mean for the soldiers government, and their many connections, certainly not for the ordinary people.

[Tony125]

5 hours ago, fredscats said:

Its a massive money maker for Thailand,the only one operating at the moment,probably into the distant future

Here's When COVID Will End, Experts Predict

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/here-s-when-covid-will-end-experts-predict/ss-AAVLd58?ocid=Peregrine&cvid=5e9907960b60471ba87528330c4b1960

 

COVID SCIENCE-Vaccination after COVID improves immunity; ivermectin fails in major trial

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/covid-science-vaccination-after-covid-improves-immunity-ivermectin-fails-in-major-trial/ar-AAVLxZI?ocid=Peregrine&cvid=5e9907960b60471ba87528330c4b1960

[rumak]

4 hours ago, keithkarmann said:

4 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

I’ve never understood why financial incentives to get people vaccinated never even seem to be discussed. If the Thai Govt gave every Thai citizen (sorry expats) say 5,000 baht for every shot they had at the appropriate time of a quality vaccine, I’m sure the number vaccinated would rapidly increase. Those citizens already vaccinated would also get the payments. Even if it had to be funded by printing money, that would cause far less damage to the economy than the continued devastation of the tourist industry, and a slightly lower baht might be a good thing anyway.

Expand  

200 baht would do it.

the govt is forming a committee .    the goal is to come up with a number , just how much would be needed to "entice"  people to do it.   I think the slogan will be  ;  Just Do It !       

Different amounts have been suggested ... with one member saying that 696 baht could be a good position to accept.    Our great leader has said "he will sleep on it'  and let us know.

[Harveyboy]

4 hours ago, tlcwaterfall said:

What a lot of <deleted>.  Government doesn't care for the nations health. This is all about maintaining power and control. They are <deleted>ting themselves about what will happen once and if they remove the emergency decree.

well said 

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

They will for 300bt ????

This may sound like a stupid question, but will the Thai people be able to vote the unelected PM and his soldiers out? Just supposing a democratically held election votes in a proper government, will it not be the case that a little further down the line, some general, seeing how well off Prayut is through organising a coup (which he said would not happen) with his other generals, will stage a coup of his own.

It would seem that coups will be the normal way of life in Thailand far into the future, as the past has proven.

[pokerface1]

I bet if Chinese government allowed tourists to leave China Thailand would change their tune and open without any restrictions. They cannot allow their neighboring countries to steal away their tourists and the money they bring. That would really cause an uprising  

[moe666]

7 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Perhaps their focus needs to be on the vaccination of their own locals, instead of to complicate travel requirements for fully vaccinated insurance tourists who like to visit for a long sun holiday.

Go back read the article, there is something  about getting 2 million elderly to get the shot.

[connda]

Why won't they lift the restrictions?  Power.  The power to completely change a country's culture and shape it into a caricature of what it once was.  Those wielding that power, now that they have had a taste, aren't going to willing relinquish it.

To quote Henry Kissinger: "Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.".

[Burma Bill]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, and others ease restrictions and let tourists back in easier or fully open all business sectors

Yes indeed. Cambodia is now fully open, with visa on arrival, and preparing to welcome International tourists/travelers who have been fully vaccinated (certification required) for the coming Khmer New Year (Songkran in LOS) celebrations, especially visitors to the Angkor Wat UNESCO Complex in Siem Reap. Entertainment and other tourism related businesses  are open again, including hotels, restaurants, casinos, bars, beer gardens, museums, cafes and coffee shops.  No restrictions on the sale and/or consumption of alcohol. Many tuk-tuks back on the streets again. Public Health issues such as social distancing in premises, face masks and hand cleansing advised but not mandatory. No COVID testing/QR codes to enter festival sites as in Thailand - freedom to move around and generally no hassle!!

[Adumbration]

6 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

I’ve never understood why financial incentives to get people vaccinated never even seem to be discussed. If the Thai Govt gave every Thai citizen (sorry expats) say 5,000 baht for every shot they had at the appropriate time of a quality vaccine, I’m sure the number vaccinated would rapidly increase. 

Pfft.  Why 5,000 baht?   You can buy a persons vote here for 300baht.

[konaboy]

Hasn't America stage 4 Thailand?

 

[sambum]

9 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Perhaps their focus needs to be on the vaccination of their own locals, instead of to complicate travel requirements for fully vaccinated insurance tourists who like to visit for a long sun holiday.

Did you read the last paragraph of the post? I'm no fan of Anutin, but in this case he and the Gov't are IMO "bang on"!

[papa al]

5 hours ago, pokerface1 said:

I'm sure the government has been doing opinion polls on ...

How could you possibly be sure.

Loserthink?

[sawadee1947]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

about 2 million elderly and vulnerable have still not been fully vaccinated.

Well, that's a much less percentage than in many EU countries.

I read in Germany almost 15 millions refused vaccination.

So down with restrictions ????

[ikke1959]

I don't think it has something to do with the unvaccinated people.. In the past there many demonstrations against the Government and section 112. If they drop everything and welcome the tourists as usual, they are afraid the protests are coming back too and maybe worse. So to keep in control the Government won'tdrop it till the time there is for new elections

[chricha]

3 hours ago, dave moir said:

Looking at statistics from the UK it's the vaccinated that are in the majority getting Covid and also dying from Covid so why should you want to punish the unvaccinated?

I would think the same applies in Thailand! All those I know that have caught Covid here are all triple vaxed!

 

OMG not the anti vaxer's logic fallacy or as the article below calls it a "base rate fallacy"

https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths-by-vaccination

I'm using numbers myself to illustrate the fallacy - not based on actual stats -

 

If of 1,000 people, 900 are fully vaccinated and 100 not;

then 1% catch COVID and die - so 9 vaccinated people and 1 not vaccinated die.

So how much more likely are you to know one of the 9 and not the single unvaccinated who died!

Especially as most falang are fully vaccinated! 

The reality is 891 of the 900 either stopped COVID before it infected them or had only mild symptoms.

The 9 vaccinated who died usually have underlying health conditions or were exposed to a large dose of COVID virus over a long period in an enclosed area..

The unvaccinated only have their own natural immunity or sensible avoidance mechanisms to avoid severe COVID or death.

But over here in Oz and in the USA they tend to congregate in mobs and infect each other

Such as when they protest against the Government measures they don't understand are protecting everybody.

 

 

 

 

[TheScience]

It's crony covid conspirators ($$) + old guard political hacks (elections, protests) - many of the same individuals. Imagine if you will a Venn diagram.

 

 

If the concerns were deaths I'd be looking at road safety. Moreover, it's been better part of three years about time for any and everyone that wants to get *vaccined* to have had one ...or two...or five how many it ever takes now.

[Chiang Mai Will]

I don't quite understand this.

 

So 2 million Thais have not been vaccinated -- out of choice.

 

Are the Tourists being made to run through hoops to protect the them being infected by the '2 million' -- or are Tourists being made to run through hoops to protect the '2 million'?

[TheScience]

24 minutes ago, Chiang Mai Will said:

I don't quite understand this.

 

So 2 million Thais have not been vaccinated -- out of choice.

 

Are the Tourists being made to run through hoops to protect the them being infected by the '2 million' -- or are Tourists being made to run through hoops to protect the '2 million'?

Don't think about it. It's just a rationale. Question answered...move along nothing to see here..

 

[zzaa09]

11 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

Perhaps their focus needs to be on the vaccination of their own locals, instead of to complicate travel requirements for fully vaccinated insurance tourists who like to visit for a long sun holiday.

Makes too much sense for complex Thai bureaucracy. 

[Pattaya Spotter]

8 hours ago, tlcwaterfall said:

Thailand insists on a one night quarantine and PCR  test and a further antigen test on day 5.

I wouldn't call the one nite stay a "quarantine," I mean you gotta stay somewhere unless you plan to sleep on the street. I think the second test is going away soon...and in any case a 15 minute self antigen test isnt much of in imposition.  If any of this is too much, people are free to go elsewhere.

[dinsdale]

8 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

IMO, with 90+ deaths from Covid just reported for yesterday......there is something going very wrong here.

The BP has reported this morning, that BKK medical facilities cannot cope with covid cases, and are asking surrounding regions to take the overflow of patients.

Is the reported 25K cases each day anywhere near close to the real figure?  We do know they don't include RAT test +ives, in the count.

Should tourists be encouraged to visit the country if Covid is out of control, as the BP suggested?

You need to ask yourself if these deaths are people who were in hospital for other reasons and died from those reasons but just happened to have omicron. Dying with not dying from. This is all about the state of emergency. There is no reason that absolutetly everything shouldn't be open. Yes, infections will go through the roof but as it is it's just being drawn out with no peak in sight.

[ed strong]

9 hours ago, CygnusX1 said:

I’ve never understood why financial incentives to get people vaccinated never even seem to be discussed. If the Thai Govt gave every Thai citizen (sorry expats) say 5,000 baht for every shot they had at the appropriate time of a quality vaccine, I’m sure the number vaccinated would rapidly increase. Those citizens already vaccinated would also get the payments. Even if it had to be funded by printing money, that would cause far less damage to the economy than the continued devastation of the tourist industry, and a slightly lower baht might be a good thing anyway.

This is about the worst take that i have seen,

 

You suggest the Thai Governments gonna give 40 odd million people, over 10,000 baht each in order , in some cases 15,000 that roughly equals 400,000,000,000 baht away!? Plus all the associated costs that stop people getting 6 shots and taking 5,000 baht each time. A clerical and financial nightmare.

 

[Pattaya Spotter]

8 hours ago, itsari said:

Vietnam relaxed there entry rules on the 15th of March 2022 . 

It will be interesting to see if there will be a surge in the number of visitors after a month .

Somehow I doubt it due to the continued problems with covid around the world .

Health wise and financially will keep the numbers way down . 

Do not forget that China continues to have travel restrictions .

I agree...just sayin' if people want to come, Thailand's current scheme is on par with most other destinations in SE Asia.

[ThailandGuy]

Don't believe in it that it will happen soon given how things have been going the last 2 years in Thailand. So this year we visit again another country i guess.  I will not travel under the current restrictions to Thailand.

[tlcwaterfall]

23 minutes ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I wouldn't call the one nite stay a "quarantine," I mean you gotta stay somewhere unless you plan to sleep on the street. I think the second test is going away soon...and in any case a 15 minute self antigen test isnt much of in imposition.  If any of this is too much, people are free to go elsewhere.

I would and do call the first night a quarantine as you cannot leave to start your holiday until you get a negative result.

 

People are certainly free to go elsewhere and there are many countries now to visit  without cumbersome and unnecessary entry requirements.

 

Anyway I am hopeful they will remove all impediments to enter Thailand sometime this year. They must be losing a big slice of the tourism pie to other countries now.

[zzaa09]

1 hour ago, TheScience said:

Don't think about it. It's just a rationale. Question answered...move along nothing to see here..

 

Shirley, there's nothing to see if one is blind. 

Moving along. ????