Rise in Chinese Tourism Boosts Demand for Face Masks

[webfact]

 

by Krajangwit Johjit

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) has urged face mask manufacturers to prepare for a potential increase in demand and to ramp up production to avoid a shortage. This comes as a concern as a shortage of face masks could lead to a new wave of infections.

 

The DIT forecasts that there will be a large influx of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand to celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 22, which will result in an uptick in demand for face masks.

 

The move also follows a recent announcement by the Department of Disease Control to allow travelers entry to Thailand without having to present proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

 

However, those arriving from China and India are still required to have Covid insurance that covers at least US$10,000 for the duration of their stay in Thailand, which also extends for seven days after their departure.

 

Asked to comment on recent reports that a number of private hospitals intend to raise their service fees in response to rising electricity costs, DIT Director-General Wattanasak Sur-iam stated that the agency has instructed facilities that intend to do so to notify the agency of any impending increases in service fees before implementation.

 

Wattanasak added that the DIT intends to produce a list of medical services and their associated fees and post it on its website so that consumers may make informed decisions based on their budgets.

 

Source: https://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG230112104949303

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-01-12

 

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[redwood1]

Hey, I have a bunch of face nappies I refuse to wear anymore....I would be happy to share....

[Tropicalevo]

But there is only a low risk from Chinese tourists according to an earlier post here.......

Quote

DDC Affirms Chinese Travelers Pose Low COVID Risk

????

 

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

This comes as a concern as a shortage of face masks could lead to a new wave of infections.

 

[Lee65]

OK, everybody just stop.  Demand for face masks is not driven primarily by reason or logic.  Irrational FEAR is the driver.

Edited January 12, 2023 by Lee65

[ozimoron]

2 minutes ago, Lee65 said:

OK, everybody just stop.  Demand for face masks is not driven primarily by reason or logic.  FEAR is the driver.

Oh God, not more anti vax political propaganda.

 

Politics is not allowed in this forum.

Edited January 12, 2023 by ozimoron

[Lee65]

16 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Oh God, not more anti vax political propaganda.

 

Politics is not allowed in this forum.

Correct.

[Mickeymaus]

"However, those arriving from China and India are still required to have Covid insurance that covers at least US$10,000 for the duration of their stay in Thailand, which also extends for seven days after their departure." 

 

I am confused. Recently it was only advised to have a health insurance for the peace of mind. 

 

 

 

[Cake Monster]

I guess we will have to wait and see if the rise in Tourists also creates a boost in demand for ICU Units and Hospital Beds.

[Lorry]

8 hours ago, Lee65 said:

Irrational FEAR is the driver

It's rational fear.

Fear of getting covid. 

Irrational fear is the fear of masks that many farangs have.

Never understood why these guys are so afraid of a mask?

 

[HuskerDo2]

This has nothing to do with Covid transmission. The real reason is that no one wants to look at all the ugly Chinese so having them cover their faces is the goal. 

[alex8912]

The article makes me feel the anticipated mask increase is because the Chinese tourists will be needing more after they arrive. What I have clearly observed over the last three days that a huge majority ( 95%) of them are NOT wearing masks around Bangkok. The Petchburi Rd/ Night market / Baioke tower area is filled with mostly young Chinese all maskless. Maybe they anticipate an increase in Thais wanting more. Who knows. These masks I see on Thais lately are looking mighty loose and often dirty. It just seems like a 1/2 as'd attempt of an old habit. 

[Stargeezr]

The way lots of these Chinese tourists like to spit all over the place, hw can anyone say

that there is no danger of them spreading COVID?  I am just glad that a lot of these

people stay in groups and stay in the Chinese/Thai hotels. Yup that sounds racist, but

I do not trust a lot of people these days. Guess that is how I lived long enough to be a senior.

[jcmj]

Maybe they can offer a “free” mask at the airport once the 300 baht entry fee starts. ????????

[stoner]

hahahah mask wearing is so circa 2021

[redwood1]

 

[jacko45k]

19 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Hey, I have a bunch of face nappies I refuse to wear anymore....I would be happy to share....

Keep using them, excrement is still being discharged!

[mikebell]

20 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Hey, I have a bunch of face nappies I refuse to wear anymore....I would be happy to share....

used only once?

[huangnon]

Oh great.. The manufacturers of these masks (CP, etc) will be happy at least. I'm sure they wouldn't want to influence any policy that limits their production. ????

 

The masks have almost replaced the ubiquitous plastic carrier bag as the main source of litter around Thailand, sometimes a combo of carrier bags of the filthy things chucked away by the roadside, or floating in the sea.

[jak2002003]

New wave of infections  aussd by lack of face masks.... Or..... Chinese tourists? 

[Eleftheros]

There seem to be plenty of people around who have had 3, 4, or even 5 anti-Covid injections, generally wear face masks, and they are still fearful and feeling unwell.

 

It's a tragedy for them, and not entirely their fault.

[Elkski]

I do miss the pre COVID days when you could see more of these pretty Thai ladies faces.  Of course quite a large % of locals wore face masks pre COVID 

[SuperSilverHaze]

When tragedy becomes farce

 

3rd rate Chinese masks keep out / protect against covid lol

 

????????????‍????

[SuperSilverHaze]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

hahahah mask wearing is so circa 2021

TiT

 

2031 FTFY

[redwood1]

2 hours ago, stoner said:

hahahah mask wearing is so circa 2021

For many Thais......Masks are here to stay permanently..

[stoner]

17 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

For many Thais......Masks are here to stay permanently..

it was interesting to see the stark difference this last week in patong. waves of people walking past and not a single mask. then out of no where a thai with the paper mache on. 

 

they looked so strange.

[Elkski]

1 hour ago, stoner said:

it was interesting to see the stark difference this last week in patong. waves of people walking past and not a single mask. then out of no where a thai with the paper mache on. 

 

they looked so strange.

Glad I'm not in patong.  I think it shows respect.   Wife and I got  covid , positive self tests, a month ago.  It's not fun.  We are boosted with the new formula.  Wasted 2 days  each and I got it a few days after her so how do you toss that into your vacation plans?  People are going to be continuing on their travel plans sick or not.   I did have a HISO looking classy Thai lady flash me the mask on! hand gesture early on this trip.   It can't hurt.  I think some of you can hardly breath and walk at the same time so I'm sure mask is no fun. 

[stoner]

1 hour ago, Elkski said:

Glad I'm not in patong.  I think it shows respect.   Wife and I got  covid , positive self tests, a month ago.  It's not fun.  We are boosted with the new formula.  Wasted 2 days  each and I got it a few days after her so how do you toss that into your vacation plans?  People are going to be continuing on their travel plans sick or not.   I did have a HISO looking classy Thai lady flash me the mask on! hand gesture early on this trip.   It can't hurt.  I think some of you can hardly breath and walk at the same time so I'm sure mask is no fun. 

so you got sick like many other times in your life. you recovered and life moves on.  sometimes vacation doesn't go as planned. 

 

i do not agree with you regarding respect. it is long past that point now. it's social conditioning now for the most part and not about respect or safety or prevention. 

 

if you want to wear a mask for your days go ahead no one is stopping you.  i would also stand beside you for your right to chose such. even though i disagree with you.