Will Chinese arrivals overwhelm Thailand’s healthcare sector?

[webfact]

 

While several countries have imposed stringent COVID-control measures on travellers from China, Thailand has decided to welcome them with open arms despite concerns about its healthcare sector being overwhelmed.

 

China will drop quarantine rules from January 8, signaling that its people can resume outbound travel without restrictions.

 

While this move may sound like good news for both Chinese travellers and tourism-dependent economies like Thailand, it has triggered international over the surging COVID-19 infection rate in China.

 

Thailand expects to see arrivals from China rise from about 50,000 this month to 90,000 by March.

 

What will Chinese tourists bring?

 

Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat, who teaches at the Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, told Thai PBS World that a high percentage of passengers on flights from China have tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in several countries.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/will-chinese-arrivals-overwhelm-thailands-healthcare-sector/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-01-09

 

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[soi3eddie]

Surely the Thais could raise more revenue from the Chinese by implementing an enforced qurantine at the traveler's expense - as they did with all other Covid positive arrivals until relaxation of testing. The Thais are missing a trick here! Welcome with "open arms" even if you have Covid Kon Chine!!!

 

[StayinThailand2much]

50 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Surely the Thais could raise more revenue from the Chinese by implementing an enforced qurantine at the traveler's expense - as they did with all other Covid positive arrivals until relaxation of testing. The Thais are missing a trick here! Welcome with "open arms" even if you have Covid Kon Chine!!!

My answer is 'yes, it will be overwhelmed'!

 

I like your suggestion, but they don't want to p*ss off their northern overlords, so I guess, if they enforced hotel quarantine again, it would be for everyone (except Thais, of course)...

[RichardColeman]

I seriously doubt the actual chinese will overload the health system, the promoters are pretty sneaky sometimes and I feel will just isolate the sick in their own hotels - meanwhile the thais they infect might overload it. I would not be surprised at a surge of covid deaths in chinese 'backed' hotels in the coming months that are classified as NON-covid related

[mikebell]

Despite bogus documents to the contrary, 50-60% of Chinese tested positive on flights into at least two countries.  These incoming numbers must have an impact on the local population.  I suspect the return flights would have 80% infection rates given the Chinese propensity to do everything in groups.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

What will Chinese tourists bring?

 

Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat, who teaches at the Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, told Thai PBS World that a high percentage of passengers on flights from China have tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in several countries.

Chaos and the Yuan...

Thailand loves the latter and will put up with the former.

[Gottfrid]

Yes, it will!

[Shop mak]

3-6 months from now, I expect a spike in positive covid cases, taken that China have enough flights to meet the current demand.

I expect that some hotels will again be turned into 'for covid patients only'.

 

Face Mask required before songkran, but no shutdown.

[PETERTHEEATER]

In other news, reports are coming in of millions of dead shrimp washed up on Thai beaches. The RTP believe these to be mass suicides as word spread of the arrival of tourists from far Cathay.

[fusion58]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

While this move may sound like good news for both Chinese travellers and tourism-dependent economies like Thailand, it has triggered international over the surging COVID-19 infection rate in China.

^
 

Great job of proofreading. ????

[daveAustin]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

What will Chinese tourists bring?

Nothing but sickness, mayhem and angst for everyone else. 

[Gknrd]

My only regret is I didn't leave sooner.  I am already seeing delays.  The hospitals here are going to be overwhelmed. 

[internationalism]

chinese, as well as indians, do need now covid insurance for minimum $10k.

That is some 350k thb, which is enough for covid hospitalisation, even at private hospital.

As covid is still not an issue in Thailand, those arriving and getting seriously sick, will contibute to thai health system.

Surely there would be additional measures, if health situation would worsen.

Thailand can change rules of entry every day (as seen for the last 5 days)

 

[Gknrd]

By all reports the Chinese covid is worse now than in the US at its peak. Or at least as bad. This is going to be a disaster.

[BananaStrong]

46 minutes ago, Gknrd said:

By all reports the Chinese covid is worse now than in the US at its peak. Or at least as bad. This is going to be a disaster.

Everyone is vaxxed, I got 4.  Not only with this NOT be a disaster, it will save the world economy!!!!!!   Of course there will be some who can't handle it, like always.   

 

US at its peak without a vax is 10000000x worse than when everyone's blood is now Pharma green.  lol.   

[JimHuaHin]

Maybe Public Health Minister Anutin wants more money for his Ministry, and thus allowing in potentially COVID-infected Chinese will help.

[JonnyF]

I guess it depends on any potential anti government protests domestically.

 

If they are likely, I am sure lockdowns will be required to "save the Thai healthcare system from Covid".

[Emdog]

Hey, don't forget the Russians: been reported only half of them have been vaxxed.... so let them meet up with the half of Chinese with covid and away we go!

Russians better off getting medical help here, as their hospitals in Russia seem to be full of wounded from the "special police action" in Ukraine