Injured Swedes In Thailand: New Series To Be Shown On Swedish T V

[webfact]

New Tv- series about injured Swedes in Thailand
BY ANDERS HOLM NIELSEN



BANGKOK: -- The Swedish series, SOS Thailand, will be aired during two weeks on Swedish TV3, starting tonight. The show revolves around the people who are involved in helping Swedish tourists, who are somehow injured in Thailand. The show follows Maj and Jan from ERV travel insurance who help travelers at the company’s Euro-Center in Bangkok and flight nurse Erik who helps transport tourists to sick or injured to travel on their own.

Every year 400,000 Swedes journey to Thailand. Leaving Sweden for sun, bathing and relaxing, the expectations are high, but for many, the dream vacation ends before time because of accidents or disease. SOS Thailand follows the Swedes that work in bringing injured Scandinavians back home.

2012 was a tough year for Swedes in Thailand. 105 died, which is the highest number ever in one year and almost double from the 55 deaths in 2007.

The increase in deaths among Swedes in Thailand seems to be continuing. During the first three months 28 Swedish nationals died. Like in the past years, accidents, natural deaths and suicides are among the most common causes. On average five Swedes commit suicide every year in Thailand.

The show is on Tuesday till Thursday at 7.30 pm.

Source: http://scandasia.com/new-tv-series-about-injured-swedes-in-thailand/

-- Scandasia 2013-05-28

[rubl]

If TAT made a statement today that this Swedish TV series is unlikely to upset the number of Swedish Tourists coming to Thailand I wouldn't be surprised if that statement would be shown to be correct by the end of the year.

[Ianatlarge]

Is this a storm in a teacup aimed at attracting a little publicity for a mediocre, reality tv show? 400,000 people, and 50 - 100 deaths in one year? Overall, that is a good average. How many would have died in Sweden from the same demographic? Maybe fewer, but not much I would suspect.

[BookMan]

I have to admit that I am a sucker for these types of reality shows

[Nisa]

Is this a storm in a teacup aimed at attracting a little publicity for a mediocre, reality tv show? 400,000 people, and 50 - 100 deaths in one year? Overall, that is a good average. How many would have died in Sweden from the same demographic? Maybe fewer, but not much I would suspect.

Sweden has a yearly death rate of about 10,210 deaths per 100,000 people. So if 400,000 Swedes spent an entire year here then I guess we should expect 40,840 deaths. But to be fair, lest say they only spend an average of 10-days here then we should expect 1,119 Swedish deaths in Thailand each year (40,840 / 36.5 where 36.5 x 10= 365 days in a year ). But this too is not really fair....

Lets knock off 80% from the 1,119 figure and pretend that 80% of deaths in Sweden are people who are ill and wouldn't travel while also pretending there are no Swedish retirees living and visiting in Thailand.

So 20% of 1,119 is 224 deaths or more than double the number who died in the worst year in Thailand.

I pretty much am assuming my math is off or I didn't properly understand the data because it is hard to believe that Swedes are more than twice as safe visiting a less developed country than at home ... then again, this wouldn't make for good TV in Sweden.

http://www.indexmundi.com/sweden/death_rate.html

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/sweden

Note that 36% of deaths in Sweden are actually due to Coronary & Heart Disease and stroke which often come without warning. No other causes go into double digit percentages. Suicides make up 1.8% of deaths and are the 14th leading cause of death in Sweden. About 5.4% of deaths are from accidents/injuries such as car, falls, violence, fire, drugs, alcohol ...

Edited May 28, 2013 by Nisa

[lee b]

If its any thing like big touble in tourist thailand, then i might just have a peek at it !!

[soi41]

Is this a storm in a teacup aimed at attracting a little publicity for a mediocre, reality tv show? 400,000 people, and 50 - 100 deaths in one year? Overall, that is a good average. How many would have died in Sweden from the same demographic? Maybe fewer, but not much I would suspect.

Sweden has a yearly death rate of about 10,210 deaths per 100,000 people. So if 400,000 Swedes spent an entire year here then I guess we should expect 40,840 deaths. But to be fair, lest say they only spend an average of 10-days here then we should expect 1,119 Swedish deaths in Thailand each year (40,840 / 36.5 where 36.5 x 10= 365 days in a year ). But this too is not really fair....

Lets knock off 80% from the 1,119 figure and pretend that 80% of deaths in Sweden are people who are ill and wouldn't travel while also pretending there are no Swedish retirees living and visiting in Thailand.

So 20% of 1,119 is 224 deaths or more than double the number who died in the worst year in Thailand.

I pretty much am assuming my math is off or I didn't properly understand the data because it is hard to believe that Swedes are more than twice as safe visiting a less developed country than at home ... then again, this wouldn't make for good TV in Sweden.

http://www.indexmundi.com/sweden/death_rate.html

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/sweden

Note that 36% of deaths in Sweden are actually due to Coronary & Heart Disease and stroke which often come without warning. No other causes go into double digit percentages. Suicides make up 1.8% of deaths and are the 14th leading cause of death in Sweden. About 5.4% of deaths are from accidents/injuries such as car, falls, violence, fire, drugs, alcohol ...

Your math is a disaster and the logic even worse !!

[Nisa]

Is this a storm in a teacup aimed at attracting a little publicity for a mediocre, reality tv show? 400,000 people, and 50 - 100 deaths in one year? Overall, that is a good average. How many would have died in Sweden from the same demographic? Maybe fewer, but not much I would suspect.

Sweden has a yearly death rate of about 10,210 deaths per 100,000 people. So if 400,000 Swedes spent an entire year here then I guess we should expect 40,840 deaths. But to be fair, lest say they only spend an average of 10-days here then we should expect 1,119 Swedish deaths in Thailand each year (40,840 / 36.5 where 36.5 x 10= 365 days in a year ). But this too is not really fair....

Lets knock off 80% from the 1,119 figure and pretend that 80% of deaths in Sweden are people who are ill and wouldn't travel while also pretending there are no Swedish retirees living and visiting in Thailand.

So 20% of 1,119 is 224 deaths or more than double the number who died in the worst year in Thailand.

I pretty much am assuming my math is off or I didn't properly understand the data because it is hard to believe that Swedes are more than twice as safe visiting a less developed country than at home ... then again, this wouldn't make for good TV in Sweden.

http://www.indexmundi.com/sweden/death_rate.html

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/sweden

Note that 36% of deaths in Sweden are actually due to Coronary & Heart Disease and stroke which often come without warning. No other causes go into double digit percentages. Suicides make up 1.8% of deaths and are the 14th leading cause of death in Sweden. About 5.4% of deaths are from accidents/injuries such as car, falls, violence, fire, drugs, alcohol ...

Your math is a disaster and the logic even worse !!

I'll take that with a grain of salt unless you can show where the math and logic is wrong as opposed to just condemning, because you don't like the results, with nothing to back up your claim except a

As I stated, the conclusion I came up with doesn't make sense to me and am willing to admit I am missing something but I guess I'll have to wait for somebody more intelligent, informed or knowledgeable than me to show me where I went wrong or what I missed. Somehow I am guessing that won't be you.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Nisa

[Nisa]

Ahhh - I see where I went wrong. Sweden has a death rate of 10.21 deaths/1,000 population ... which equals 1021 per 100,000 and not 10,210. My decimal was off.

But again, seems the death rate in Thailand is not much different and would mean you'd expect about 112 deaths per year for 400,000 visitors staying an average of 10-days.

Now that the number is in line there is no real big need to make huge discounts for ill folks not traveling though some adjustment should be made but then again adjustments could be made for the percentage of retired folks living here and the fact people visiting a less developed nation (and one known for vices) tend to be risk takers and have more accidents.

Edited May 28, 2013 by Nisa

[OzMick]

Ahhh - I see where I went wrong. Sweden has a death rate of 10.21 deaths/1,000 population ... which equals 1021 per 100,000 and not 10,210. My decimal was off.

But again, seems the death rate in Thailand is not much different and would mean you'd expect about 112 deaths per year for 400,000 visitors staying an average of 10-days.

At a glance, 10% of the population dying each year should have told you something.................

[OzMick]

Australian conscripts sent to the Viet Nam war (actually in Viet Nam) died at a lower rate than the road toll for their demographic back home. Somehow, that statistic didn't make them feel much better about being sent there.

[Ianatlarge]

Demographically speaking (not that I really know what I am talking about) to examine the mortality of that 400k Swedes in the Land of Smiles, we would need to start with an identical, comparative (age, gender, lifestyle) group in Sweden, and determine how many of these would die in the same amount of time the Thai group spent on their holidays. Then factor in the different range of activities that the holiday group would participate in—most like more dangerous stuff (hang gliding or whatever). Of course, we could just say that 100 deaths out of 400,000 is really not too much, and realise that booze, ciggies, and obesity (we used to call that being fat), are the main causes of death in the western world, and leave it at that. Very likely those 100 departed Swedes died with a smile on their faces (at least some of them anyway).

[teacherofwoe]

If we could compare the statistics of deaths of Swedes in all countries, then we would have a clearer picture.

[roiethome]

It would be interesting to know how many deaths are "self-inflicted" i.e. alcohol related

[guzzi850m2]

I don't find the numbers too high. Many elderly Swedes spend the winter here to escape the brutal climate on that time of the year

and then older you are the easier you die. Some maybe die in the arms of a young local beauty, not the worst way to go.

I read somewhere that older Germans dies in Thailand when drinking and taking Viagra together.

I knew a few Danes that died relatively young in Thailand due to drinking and seen some Swedes living same lifestyle so I guess

some are dying on same grounds.

Traffic accidents will likely claim some too, Thailand traffic is a mad house.

[Halion]

Demographically speaking (not that I really know what I am talking about) to examine the mortality of that 400k Swedes in the Land of Smiles, we would need to start with an identical, comparative (age, gender, lifestyle) group in Sweden, and determine how many of these would die in the same amount of time the Thai group spent on their holidays. Then factor in the different range of activities that the holiday group would participate in—most like more dangerous stuff (hang gliding or whatever). Of course, we could just say that 100 deaths out of 400,000 is really not too much, and realise that booze, ciggies, and obesity (we used to call that being fat), are the main causes of death in the western world, and leave it at that. Very likely those 100 departed Swedes died with a smile on their faces (at least some of them anyway).

Agree, there are so many factors which can sway the maths if the demographics are not properly aligned as is so often the case in reports and polls conducted in Thailand.

[BahBahBoBo]

I don't find the numbers too high. Many elderly Swedes spend the winter here to escape the brutal climate on that time of the year

and then older you are the easier you die. Some maybe die in the arms of a young local beauty, not the worst way to go.

I read somewhere that older Germans dies in Thailand when drinking and taking Viagra together.

I knew a few Danes that died relatively young in Thailand due to drinking and seen some Swedes living same lifestyle so I guess

some are dying on same grounds.

Traffic accidents will likely claim some too, Thailand traffic is a mad house.

I would think the Swiss would be in far more danger.

They have so much more 'yea-haaa dough' in those Swiss bank accounts of theirs stacked with gold bullion,

and even the danger of tripping and falling on the way to the ATM as they are gorging their faces with lovely swiss chocolate while the rest of us only get Hershey bars,

and noticing the sun glinting off their lovely Swiss Rolex watches they become mesmerized by their own beautiful possessions and good fortune and can trip very easily in such a moment of distraction.

Poor Swiss, and yet the Swedes, a barbaric Nordic race of Viking beer swilling pillagers get all the attention and sympathy.

The world is an unfair an unbalanced place.

[geriatrickid]

Some of you folks do get it. It's all about the characteristics of the population group in Thailand. Because the population group is skewed to the older segment, and young male segment we are more likely to see injuries and deaths associated with those groups. I call it the coffee effect. You get more of a caffeine jolt from espresso than a regular drip cup. I would wager that the mortality and illness incidence for females, families and middle aged couples is no worse than it is in Sweden.

[Lancelot]

Ahhh - I see where I went wrong. Sweden has a death rate of 10.21 deaths/1,000 population ... which equals 1021 per 100,000 and not 10,210. My decimal was off.[/size]

But again, seems the death rate in Thailand is not much different and would mean you'd expect about 112 deaths per year for 400,000 visitors staying an average of 10-days. [/size]

At a glance, 10% of the population dying each year should have told you something.................

To me the point is: "Why pay good money and sit so long on an airplane... to die?" Since this is the Land of Smiles, gentle people, lovely people, etc., etc, I would hope for a LOWER mortality rate. But then conventional thinkinhg is that Thailand is Heaven on earth and its so much safer here so lets blame the deceased

P.S. Brand Thailand is going strong and seems to defy any Tipping Point or push back...

[DocN]

Is this a storm in a teacup aimed at attracting a little publicity for a mediocre, reality tv show? 400,000 people, and 50 - 100 deaths in one year? Overall, that is a good average. How many would have died in Sweden from the same demographic? Maybe fewer, but not much I would suspect.

Sweden has a yearly death rate of about 10,210 deaths per 100,000 people. So if 400,000 Swedes spent an entire year here then I guess we should expect 40,840 deaths. But to be fair, lest say they only spend an average of 10-days here then we should expect 1,119 Swedish deaths in Thailand each year (40,840 / 36.5 where 36.5 x 10= 365 days in a year ). But this too is not really fair....

Lets knock off 80% from the 1,119 figure and pretend that 80% of deaths in Sweden are people who are ill and wouldn't travel while also pretending there are no Swedish retirees living and visiting in Thailand.

So 20% of 1,119 is 224 deaths or more than double the number who died in the worst year in Thailand.

I pretty much am assuming my math is off or I didn't properly understand the data because it is hard to believe that Swedes are more than twice as safe visiting a less developed country than at home ... then again, this wouldn't make for good TV in Sweden.

http://www.indexmundi.com/sweden/death_rate.html

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/sweden

Note that 36% of deaths in Sweden are actually due to Coronary & Heart Disease and stroke which often come without warning. No other causes go into double digit percentages. Suicides make up 1.8% of deaths and are the 14th leading cause of death in Sweden. About 5.4% of deaths are from accidents/injuries such as car, falls, violence, fire, drugs, alcohol ...

Your math is a disaster and the logic even worse !!

What logic?

[Nisa]

Ahhh - I see where I went wrong. Sweden has a death rate of 10.21 deaths/1,000 population ... which equals 1021 per 100,000 and not 10,210. My decimal was off.[/size]

But again, seems the death rate in Thailand is not much different and would mean you'd expect about 112 deaths per year for 400,000 visitors staying an average of 10-days. [/size]

At a glance, 10% of the population dying each year should have told you something.................

To me the point is: "Why pay good money and sit so long on an airplane... to die?" Since this is the Land of Smiles, gentle people, lovely people, etc., etc, I would hope for a LOWER mortality rate. But then conventional thinkinhg is that Thailand is Heaven on earth and its so much safer here so lets blame the deceased

P.S. Brand Thailand is going strong and seems to defy any Tipping Point or push back...

That is because most people visiting Thailand are not old curmudgeons whose purpose in life is to spread doom and gloom views and seek out others with similar miserable dispositions. Instead they are informed enough to know a less developed nation has problems of a less developed nation but also has huge advantages especially when you consider all the beauty in Thailand and how relatively cheap it is to have a great experience here. That is why tourism continues to boom in Thailand and continues to be on a fast upward trend despite all the Chicken Littles here crying about the sky falling every time something negative is in the news.

And OZ ... great job being able to point out my mistake ... after I already did.

[Nisa]

Australian conscripts sent to the Viet Nam war (actually in Viet Nam) died at a lower rate than the road toll for their demographic back home. Somehow, that statistic didn't make them feel much better about being sent there.

Yea, choosing to visit one of the most beautiful and visited countries in the world is comparable to being forced to go to war ... that is if you are trying your hardest to be negative.

I think they say most accidents in the home happen in the bathroom but those wishing to enjoy life still use the bathroom regularly instead of sh@tting in their pants.

[moonray]

Putting all your statistics aside - nobody takes care of their citizens abroad,like Sweden goverment.Swedish get what they pay for!

I know some stories from Thailand,which would shock you.

Immigrate to Sweden!(and pay taxes there)

Edited May 28, 2013 by moonray

[maxme]

Ah, finally a morbid thread.

[OzMick]

That is because most people visiting Thailand are not old curmudgeons whose purpose in life is to spread doom and gloom views and seek out others with similar miserable dispositions. Instead they are informed enough to know a less developed nation has problems of a less developed nation but also has huge advantages especially when you consider all the beauty in Thailand and how relatively cheap it is to have a great experience here. That is why tourism continues to boom in Thailand and continues to be on a fast upward trend despite all the Chicken Littles here crying about the sky falling every time something negative is in the news.

And OZ ... great job being able to point out my mistake ... after I already did.

Actually I replied before reading your "my bad" post. I just found it difficult to believe that somebody could be so mathematically challenged as to propose a death rate worse than the worst plague or genocide known to man. But cut and paste without thought could do that I suppose.

[Potosi]

Australian conscripts sent to the Viet Nam war (actually in Viet Nam) died at a lower rate than the road toll for their demographic back home. Somehow, that statistic didn't make them feel much better about being sent there.

Yea, choosing to visit one of the most beautiful and visited countries in the world is comparable to being forced to go to war ... that is if you are trying your hardest to be negative.

I think they say most accidents in the home happen in the bathroom but those wishing to enjoy life still use the bathroom regularly instead of sh@tting in their pants.

If the Swedes wanted to be in one of the most beautiful countries they would stay at home, but certainly not go to Thailand.

[Phatcharanan]

If the Swedes wanted to be in one of the most beautiful countries they would stay at home, but certainly not go to Thailand.

You don't really get out much do you?

[noitom]

It would be great to see the demographic breakdown on the Swedes that come to Thailand. I would be willing to lay odds that the number of men dwarfs the number Swedish women. The implication of that would be the sex trade lure. I would be interested to see if the Swedish program directors ever write in a story about Swedish sex trade.

[watcharacters]

Ahhh - I see where I went wrong. Sweden has a death rate of 10.21 deaths/1,000 population ... which equals 1021 per 100,000 and not 10,210. My decimal was off.

But again, seems the death rate in Thailand is not much different and would mean you'd expect about 112 deaths per year for 400,000 visitors staying an average of 10-days.

Now that the number is in line there is no real big need to make huge discounts for ill folks not traveling though some adjustment should be made but then again adjustments could be made for the percentage of retired folks living here and the fact people visiting a less developed nation (and one known for vices) tend to be risk takers and have more accidents.

.

Good you see the error of your ways, opps I mean math.

I chuckled when I first read it as I was thinking with your calculations, it would likely be the case one could not travel a block in Sweden without seeing someone drop over dead on the sidewalk.

I wonder if the show will be aired in Thailand?

[Thait Spot]

Is this a storm in a teacup aimed at attracting a little publicity for a mediocre, reality tv show? 400,000 people, and 50 - 100 deaths in one year? Overall, that is a good average. How many would have died in Sweden from the same demographic? Maybe fewer, but not much I would suspect.

Sweden has a yearly death rate of about 10,210 deaths per 100,000 people. So if 400,000 Swedes spent an entire year here then I guess we should expect 40,840 deaths. But to be fair, lest say they only spend an average of 10-days here then we should expect 1,119 Swedish deaths in Thailand each year (40,840 / 36.5 where 36.5 x 10= 365 days in a year ). But this too is not really fair....

Lets knock off 80% from the 1,119 figure and pretend that 80% of deaths in Sweden are people who are ill and wouldn't travel while also pretending there are no Swedish retirees living and visiting in Thailand.

So 20% of 1,119 is 224 deaths or more than double the number who died in the worst year in Thailand.

I pretty much am assuming my math is off or I didn't properly understand the data because it is hard to believe that Swedes are more than twice as safe visiting a less developed country than at home ... then again, this wouldn't make for good TV in Sweden.

http://www.indexmundi.com/sweden/death_rate.html

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/country-health-profile/sweden

Note that 36% of deaths in Sweden are actually due to Coronary & Heart Disease and stroke which often come without warning. No other causes go into double digit percentages. Suicides make up 1.8% of deaths and are the 14th leading cause of death in Sweden. About 5.4% of deaths are from accidents/injuries such as car, falls, violence, fire, drugs, alcohol ...

Have you applied for a job at the Ministry for Propaganda?

You could help massage figures for the rice disaster, imports, exports, tax collection, tax expenditure, national debt etc.