Thai authorities downplay Zika risk, worried by tourism impact

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Aukkarapon Niyomyat

 

BANGKOK: -- Health and city officials in Thailand downplayed risks from rising infections from the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to serious birth defects, and expressed concern that disclosing information would damage its tourism industry.

 

On Friday the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC) warned of the increasing spread in Thailand of Zika, which can cause microcephaly in unborn children.

 

Thailand is combating the risk by misting and spraying mosquito-infested areas, said Anuttarasakdi Ratchatatat, epidemiologist at the health ministry's Bureau of Vector Borne Disease.

 

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-zika-thailand-idUSKCN11I0JK?il=0

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2016-09-13

" Disclosing information might damage the tourism industry " is a dangerous statement but only to be expected however the authorities have set themselves up as no one will believe anything they say now.

Edited September 12, 20169 yr by NongKhaiKid

Everyone keep your mouths shut and don't tell tourists about Zika, we want thier money.

I'm speechless

Quote

Health and city officials in Thailand downplayed risks from rising infections from the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is linked to serious birth defects, and expressed concern that disclosing information would damage its tourism industry.

• "We don’t want people to be too alarmed."
• "The truth is we don’t know the extent of the Zika spread in Thailand," he added.
• Thailand has one of the highest number in the region, with more than 100 confirmed since January.
• ministry epidemiologist Anuttarasakdi added that it did not want to deter tourists.
• "The information on Zika is quite sensitive because if we say which province has infections then attention will turn on that province, and if that province is popular with tourists it will have an impact on tourism,"

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thai-authorities-downplay-Zika-risk-worried-by-tou-30295121.html

And the mantra is greed. Human lives mean nothing.! Adopting there Chinese origin.

In the year 2003. The Chinese government covered up the SARS outbreak, As result hundreds died in Hong Kong.!

Thailand,where money is more important than the truth.

regards worgeordie

Edited September 13, 20169 yr by worgeordie

I thought after the SARS outbreak and cover-up in China, South East Asia would have

learned something about public health transparency. I guess not, or at least not in

Thailand. Money and profit is KING.

5 hours ago, NongKhaiKid said:

" Disclosing information might damage the tourism industry " is a dangerous statement but only to be expected however the authorities have set themselves up as no one will believe anything they say now.

I didn't think anyone believed them anyway. Let tourists come to an infected area by withholding information. This is exactly what the tourism industry needs; blatant lies

51 minutes ago, gandalf12 said:

I didn't think anyone believed them anyway. Let tourists come to an infected area by withholding information. This is exactly what the tourism industry needs; blatant lies

I know what you mean but I'm thinking there may be some intending tourists who don't know how things work here and may be fooled into believing a govt wouldn't mislead about something so potentially serious.

Aah they have a lot to learn Grasshopper.

1 hour ago, clockman said:

In the year 2003. The Chinese government covered up the SARS outbreak, As result hundreds died in Hong Kong.!

Margaret CHAN Hong Kong's Director of Medical and Health at the time was widely criticized for her lack of action and readiness to accept everything the Mainland authorities said about the outbreak but an official enquiry cleared her of wrongdoing and blamed the health system in HK for the problems.

CHAN then left govt service and joined the World Health Organization of which she subsequently became Director General

Why lie to people? It is not Ebola! Look how many went to the Olympics, a far more risky area. 

 

The information will be on Counties tourism guides anyhow. 

14 minutes ago, NongKhaiKid said:

I know what you mean but I'm thinking there may be some intending tourists who don't know how things work here and may be fooled into believing a govt wouldn't mislead about something so potentially serious.

Aah they have a lot to learn Grasshopper.

I am sure that is what they are counting on

Not sure why the Health department  is concerned with tourists decline but I guess they may be more qualified to be assigned to that Ministry instead of the health department.

 

2 minutes ago, gandalf12 said:

I am sure that is what they are counting on

As you said in ID 11 blatant lies is exactly what the tourist industry needs so imagine the lovely adverse publicity if tourists pick up the infection in the face of govt ' nothing wrong ' assurances.

Some years ago I was living on Koh Samui. I can read Thai and as I drove around the island there were all these large signs up in Thai warning about dengue fever and listing precautions people should take. Not a word in English because they didn't want to alarm the tourists.

Hidden Warnings 

I prefer getting the Zika virus than being bombed on holiday given that you can at least take better precautions with mossie bites 

Edited September 13, 20169 yr by ScotBkk

DUMB DUMB DUMB...

4 hours ago, NongKhaiKid said:

As you said in ID 11 blatant lies is exactly what the tourist industry needs so imagine the lovely adverse publicity if tourists pick up the infection in the face of govt ' nothing wrong ' assurances.

Probably blame the tourists for contracting it outside of Thailand.

All about the face gimme a FACEPALM 

Some posts have been removed:

 

8) You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages, vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.
 

I made a little chart that might be useful to include on tourist brochures.

 

 

Thailand value of life calculator:

 

Members of Thai elite: at least 100

Thais with enough means to be of some service to Thai elite: 1

Thai lower class: 0

Foreigners: 0

Animals: 0

 

You can use it with all value of life conversions in Thailand. Try it. It really works!

 

4 hours ago, gandalf12 said:

Probably blame the tourists for contracting it outside of Thailand.

Now there's an interesting and possibly relevant thought.

 

More pertinent:

 is for them not to publicise that you the Tourist,

is going to get sprayed by the same stuff being used in Florida.

 

This fake scare is funding Monsanto's futures

On September 12, 2016 at 5:24 PM, Thechook said:

Everyone keep your mouths shut and don't tell tourists about Zika, we want thier money.

 

Attitudes like this is the reason for Thailand's downfall.  

 

 Only the lowest scums of the earth will put tourism dollars over the safety of newborns.

2 hours ago, dukebowling said:

 

Attitudes like this is the reason for Thailand's downfall.  

 

 Only the lowest scums of the earth will put tourism dollars over the safety of newborns.

You missed my sarcasm 

Zika...sounds like a soft drink or a new range of perfume... better they give these virus (whats the plural of Virus ?) a more vulgar name that sticks in the throat and raises real fear in the community...like good old Gonorrhoea.....it's even hard to spell...!

It's not like tourist will check any Thai authority or Thai tourist web page to check on Zika or other problems in Thailand before booking. They will be warned by the authorities in their home countries or at least check the local news websites and international news outlets.
The information is already out there. [emoji5]