News Forum - Phuket to 8 foreign reps: your citizens must obey Covid-19 rules

[Stonker]

16 minutes ago, RampantRabbit said:

Read  again its says breaking RULES, only mentioning covid as ONE  of those  rules

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew met today with Consul Generals and Honorary Consuls from 8 countries to ask them to warn their citizens to follow the rules – especially Covid-19 regulations 

I did, but as I mentioned before I also read the source article to find out what actually happened rather than relying on Neill Fronde's very different interpretation of it:

"Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew yesterday (Jan 7) met with the Consul Generals and Honoury Consuls of eight countries to remind them that their respective citizens must adhere to the COVID-19 health and safety protocols in effect on the island."

[oldschooler]

Is it not reasonable, that where fully vaxxed tourists and their fully vaxxed Thai service providers are concentrated, for Beach & Nightlife Zones at least, that masking is effectively Optional ? 
 

[Stonker]

2 hours ago, Manu said:

I was in Patong in October through the sandbox for a week, bars were already full, Halloween party was very crowded, live music everywhere, etc... My friend was there in September and it was already like that. As far as I know, there has not been any hecatomb of deaths in Phuket since.

There are two choices: vaccinated or not, if you are scared you stay away, or, vaccinated or not, if you are not scared you choose to live your life. But at the end of the day, it has been 2 years of this madness now, it could be going on for years to come and personally, I am not prepared not to live my life anymore since the scared ones are staying away anyway although fully vaccinated (what was the point), I have personally choosen to be vacinated to live my life, not to be scared and stay away!!

Why this fixation with being "scared" ?

Being "scared" isn't a factor for most apart from their being "scared" for others - scared they'll pass Covid on to aging parents, relatives and friends, scared they'll miss work and be unable to support their family, scared they'll pass it to their children who will miss school, scared they'll start a local outbreak so they'll be responsible for schools and factories being closed .....

That's being responsible, not scared.

if you don't want to act responsibly and don't care about others that's up to you - other do.

[Stonker]

2 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Is it not reasonable, that where fully vaxxed tourists and their fully vaxxed Thai service providers are concentrated, for Beach & Nightlife Zones at least, that masking is effectively Optional ? 
 

It would be if being "fully vaxxed" meant that you wouldn't catch and pass the virus on to others who are either not fully vaxxed or still vulnerable even if fully vaxxed - but it doesn't.

[gundam0315]

16 minutes ago, Stonker said:

Why this fixation with being "scared" ?

Being "scared" isn't a factor for most apart from their being "scared" for others - scared they'll pass Covid on to aging parents, relatives and friends, scared they'll miss work and be unable to support their family, scared they'll pass it to their children who will miss school, scared they'll start a local outbreak so they'll be responsible for schools and factories being closed .....

That's being responsible, not scared.

if you don't want to act responsibly and don't care about others that's up to you - other do.

why be scared if you are fully vaccinated? so stop being scared

[Artemis080]

15 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

Is it not reasonable, that where fully vaxxed tourists and their fully vaxxed Thai service providers are concentrated, for Beach & Nightlife Zones at least, that masking is effectively Optional ? 
 

No, it's not reasonable. Wear a mask properly and follow covid procedures or don't come here.

 

[Stonker]

2 hours ago, AussieBob said:

If a Thai tests positive they pay nothing for medical or hostel (but will need to pay for extra food/drinks I understand),

Correct - but the way the Thai state hospital system works is that you need a friend or relative to be with you to help with the things nurses usually do in the West, such as spoon feeding, helping you to the toilet, etc. It's possible without and they don't have to be there 24/7 but it's pretty much expected.

That's where the costs come in for Thais, as the 'carer' has to buy their own meals as well and is obviously taking time off work too.

2 hours ago, AussieBob said:

but if an Expat does then they have to pay.  Unless they are 'sick' and require hospital treatment and have insurance that specifically covers that like for tourists. Being quarantined/isolated in a 'hostel' is not covered under the vast majority of health insurance, nor for Expats living/staying in Thailand.      

Sorry, not correct.

Expats that were here 'pre-Covid' don't have to pay for treatment in a state hospital unless they want to be in a 'VIP' room if available (500 - 750 baht a day).  If they want to be in a private hospital, obviously that's their choice and they pay for it.

Those working, at least legally, are covered by the Social Security system, or private health insurance if they've opted out of the SS system.

Those that have arrived since, either as tourists, retirees or marrieds, are supposed to have insurance that will cover any Covid-related cost, from hospitals to hospitels to SQ hotels as long as it's mandated by the Health Authority. If they don't and they've come with a policy that doesn't meet the mandated requirements, that was their choice.

[Stonker]

12 minutes ago, gundam0315 said:

why be scared if you are fully vaccinated? so stop being scared

I don't know how to explain this more clearly as so many have already tried to do so.

Being "fully vaccinated" doesn't stop you being infected or contagious.

That means that you can still pass Covid on to aging parents, relatives and friends, who can be affected even if fully vaccinated, you can still miss work and make others miss work and be unable to support your  family and theirs, still pass it on to children who will miss school, and still start a local outbreak so you'll be responsible for schools and factories being closed .....

If you don't care about being responsibe for that, fortunately others do.

[petermach]

Why police is not doing the same they are doing for helmet control , to set up roadblocks and fine people without masks.

A minority of Falang people think to refuse wearing mask or vaccine is a demonstration of potency. I heard " I am strong ,i am wealthy , I am not scare of covid virus ,I can fight it so why I should inject vaccine in my body." I would like to answer to these dumb  , ego-centered, shellfish people ,Stop to contemplate your anus and learn what means the word OTHERS, think what could be the effects of covid on your family , friends , relations , people you cross in the street and the whole humanity . (we know that vaccine is not 100% efficient but sanitary measures and vaccine have  already avoid million of death.)

[Ynwaps]

I've stopped wearing a mask outside. I only put it on when entering a business as the business needs to comply. Outside it is up to us, the people. Take back your power

[oldschooler]

56 minutes ago, Stonker said:

I don't know how to explain this more clearly as so many have already tried to do so.

Being "fully vaccinated" doesn't stop you being infected or contagious.

That means that you can still pass Covid on to aging parents, relatives and friends, who can be affected even if fully vaccinated, you can still miss work and make others miss work and be unable to support your  family and theirs, still pass it on to children who will miss school, and still start a local outbreak so you'll be responsible for schools and factories being closed .....

If you don't care about being responsibe for that, fortunately others do.

Perfectly Clear & True. But “caring” doesn’t much matter. Such spreading has already occurred and continues unabated, out of real control.

People act on self- interest not high moral principles. So if such rules can be evaded for personal advantage they will be and in such large numbers that no amount of rules, testing and quarantine will work, except to generate inconvenience and medical revenue.

This reality already accepted by Phuket Govt. where Tourist Nightlife & Beach Zones here, for financial reasons, are actually (unofficially) Mask Optional (around 80% No Mask).

[Ynwaps]

I know some friends who got infected recently. All they got is a sore throat.

The government obviously knows that the sheep are still scared, so they need to make it easy for you guys. You are welcome to get your 3rd and 4th booster though 

[RampantRabbit]

5 hours ago, Marc26 said:

People who don't want many rules would be searching for what rules there are and if they are being enforced

Well that depends  doesnt it on who is the enforcer and  on what day because I can go to  immigration and get two different interpretations of the "rules", same with everything here,  just  have to  look at the TM30 debacle, not  enforced then instantly enforced, then gone lax  again, but  not everywhere.

[oldschooler]

1 hour ago, Artemis080 said:

No, it's not reasonable. Wear a mask properly and follow covid procedures or don't come here.

Reasonable with Phuket Govt. and most Tourists though, who are (unofficially) following my above case.

[Ynwaps]

Still funny how every Thai is wearing a mask on a motorbike, but helmets are optional for them. Such a society will always stay oppressed by the military, simply because they can't think for them self.  

[Stardust]

6 hours ago, AussieBob said:

Stonker - I was being sarcastic.  But the truth is that many tourists dont read Covid articles on the places they are going for a holiday.  Many places where they are coming from do not have the same covid restrictions in place.  Remember - they are stupid/desperate enough to travel across the world for a 2-3 week holiday in the middle of a pandemic mate. 

Sure - many also just ignore the rules. But what is being done to make tourists fully aware before they arrive and when they arrive?  Asking Consular officials to make their people aware is patently ridiculous. 

But it aint easy - I was being sarcastic when saying 'fixed' mate.   Can they give every tourist a handout in their language about the current restrictions in Thailand?  What about when it keeps changing.  What about the different and also ever changing restrictions in each Province, etc etc etc.  The Thailand Junta Govt has completely stuffed this up on so many levels.   

The damage the Junta Govt has done is just another addition to the negatives about Thailand tourism in the future. It is going to take many many years before they ever see 30 million a year again - unless of course as I have said before, China 'sends' a few millions for its 'mates' in the Thailand Govt.

Exactly, fully agree on your comments. And to think zero covid or zero wrong doers (includes all natiins and countries on planet earth) is anything realistic on planet earth, shows the posters who think so having a mindset of a little kid or living in a paralell universe. Competence is the opposite and for sure needs reliable, educated and more intelligent people as we are seeing at the moment (incompetent clowns, empty heads and with a mindset of little children).

[Stonker]

22 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

People act on self- interest not high moral principles. So if such rules can be evaded for personal advantage they will be and in such large numbers that no amount of rules, testing and quarantine will work, except to generate inconvenience and medical revenue.

This reality already accepted by Phuket Govt. where Tourist Nightlife & Beach Zones here, for financial reasons, are actually (unofficially) Mask Optional (around 80% No Mask).

You might - others don't, fortunately, which is probably why Phuket has more than twenty times as many cases / hospitalisations and deaths than, say, Loei.

[Stonker]

10 minutes ago, Ynwaps said:

Still funny how every Thai is wearing a mask on a motorbike, but helmets are optional for them. Such a society will always stay oppressed by the military, simply because they can't think for them self.  

Maybe it's because few Thais mind about wearing a mask and many already cover their face to stop the sun anyway, but helmets are an issue - "funny" to you, but perfectly reasonable to a Thai or anyone who tries to understand it ... as for "they can't think for themself" why do you think they choose masks over helmets as the fines are the same?

Maybe they're not the ones who have a problem thinking for themselves .....

[Stardust]

5 hours ago, JamesR said:

I met a British Honorary Consul General while on a the plane from KL to Phuket a few years ago.

He had no power as far as I could see, has he now to patrol the streets of Phuket and tell off every Brit for not wearing a mask etc, does he have to follow them first and ascertain which language they are speaking as he is only allowed to tell off British people?

You have to laugh really. 

Yes it shows clearly their mindsets of little kids and Clowns and they not even realize how stupid they are and seen outside their kindergarden. 

[oldschooler]

20 minutes ago, Stonker said:

You might - others don't, fortunately, which is probably why Phuket has more than twenty times as many cases / hospitalisations and deaths than, say, Loei.

proves my point. surely generated by Thais desperate to survive financially who decided the 0.001% Thai covid death rate was not going to stop them avoiding Poverty or feeding their children, as the policies you clearly support, at other peoples expense, have done here.

[Guest1]

35 minutes ago, Stonker said:

Maybe it's because few Thais mind about wearing a mask and many already cover their face to stop the sun anyway, but helmets are an issue - "funny" to you, but perfectly reasonable to a Thai or anyone who tries to understand it ... as for "they can't think for themself" why do you think they choose masks over helmets as the fines are the same?

Maybe they're not the ones who have a problem thinking for themselves .....

Usually, the fine for not wearing as mask, is much higher:

2000/first timer, uo to 20k,.3 time.

Also and at least on Phuket they said, they not going to charge the full 500 for no helmet, yet.

But I actually miss the 'just warn and give out a helmet for 5 days' on non Thais. Perhaps not enough helmets to let?

[Stonker]

4 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

proves my point. surely generated by Thais desperate to survive financially who decided the 0.001% Thai covid death rate was not going to stop them avoiding Poverty or feeding their children, as the policies you clearly support, at other peoples expense, have done here.

Hardly 'proves your point' beyond some people being more selfish than others.

... and despite the constant  weeping and wailing by farangs here about "Thais desperate to survive financially"  and "avoiding Poverty or feeding their children", very, very few Thais in Phuket or anywhere else have said that they see opening bars and promoting tourism as the answer.

It's simply never happened - some have quite rightly asked for government aid, but although there have been protests and petitions about virtually everything else in the last couple of years there simply haven't been any by Thais asking for bars to be opened and tourism to re-start.  

It simply hasn't happened - and if you think it has, cite an example.

As for your

12 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

0.001% Thai covid death rate

maths is clearly not your forte.  The known death rate (known cases / known deaths) is 1.36% so more than one thousand times that.

[Stonker]

2 minutes ago, Guest1 said:

Usually, the fine for not wearing as mask, is much higher:

ummm ... not on a motorbike, particularly if you're on your own .

For most Thais, wearing a mask just isn't a big issue.

[AussieBob]

2 hours ago, Stonker said:

Sorry, not correct.

Expats that were here 'pre-Covid' don't have to pay for treatment in a state hospital unless they want to be in a 'VIP' room if available (500 - 750 baht a day).  If they want to be in a private hospital, obviously that's their choice and they pay for it.

Those working, at least legally, are covered by the Social Security system, or private health insurance if they've opted out of the SS system.

Those that have arrived since, either as tourists, retirees or marrieds, are supposed to have insurance that will cover any Covid-related cost, from hospitals to hospitels to SQ hotels as long as it's mandated by the Health Authority. If they don't and they've come with a policy that doesn't meet the mandated requirements, that was their choice.

I see you have not been informed - sorry but you are very wrong.

1. Expats are not covered under health plan for Thais in State Hospitals, unless they have work permits etc and have been joined by their company. Most Expats are not covered by the Thai state health plan. Fact.

2. The standard insurance only covers for Covid related treatment in a hospital - not for asymptomatic hostel or quarantine accommodation costs. Fact.   

 

[oldschooler]

24 minutes ago, Stonker said:

Maybe it's because few Thais mind about wearing a mask and many already cover their face to stop the sun anyway, but helmets are an issue - "funny" to you, but perfectly reasonable to a Thai or anyone who tries to understand it ... as for "they can't think for themself" why do you think they choose masks over helmets as the fines are the same?

Maybe they're not the ones who have a problem thinking for themselves .....

They clearly make these irrational decisions for illogical reasons of collective culture.” Perfectly reasonable” ? Seriously, it’s Absurd. And re. Fines, wearing a Mask has nothing to do with avoiding a “no helmet “” fine …have you perhaps “ gone native” in actually defending this obvious nonsense ? See in other posts you also support bankrupting regular Thai Businesses with Covid measures….
 

clearly quite ludicrous to wear a mask on a motorbike, with obvious near zero wind transmission potential, and then NOT to wear a helmet, so giving 1000 x higher risk of death !
 

or not hold a license or carry insurance or road tax or ride illegal sidecars, with 25k Dead on the roads every year here. 80% mopeds. The very sight of mask / no helmet mc riders IS perhaps the stupidest and so funniest spectacle here. 

How do you NOT even get that ? From your very high standard other posting I see you are high- minded & super-intelligent (if too Socialist), but surely no motor cyclist, and possibly been here too long …..Stockholm Syndrome ?
 

forgive these few personal comments which I normally avoid on principle but which you make to me and others so it’s payback I guess…

Note: my real favorite absurd bike helmet scene is the Full Face Helmet with Visor Down (the only sensible choice, my practice) WITH Mask Behind ! 
They just don’t get that with Visor down for speaking, they not only have a far better mask than cloth ….that actually works in fact …... but that the lesser Cloth Mask is utterly superfluous ….

Talking about GRAB type Delivery Bikers who never take off their helmets or lift their visor in public.