Reader submission: Between the rice fields and Corona
If you live like we do in the middle of the rice fields, about 25 km from Khon Kaen, you hardly notice anything about corona. Apart from what we read on the internet, life goes on as usual. Or it must be that planned parties for ordination as a monk are cancelled.
We go to Big C in Khon Kaen once every two weeks, most recently on March 18. Everything in stock except hand gel and face masks. We have bought extra paracetamol outside the normal groceries.
Thursday, March 19, we received a phone call from Thailand Travel regarding our return flight to the Netherlands on April 30, asking if we wanted to return earlier while we still can. Reported that a longer stay in Thailand of several months would not be a problem. So we just wait and see what comes our way.
Albeit my 90 day multi entry visa expires on April 30 and I have to wait and see if I get the next 90 days without a border run at the immigration office in Khon Kaen. But not something to worry about right now.
This writing may be an impetus for long-stayers to report the situation in their region via this blog.
Ps: Made hand gel myself. Just bought the cheapest whiskey and mixed it with washing up liquid. If it doesn't help, at least you get clean hands.
Greetings from Piet from Bang Fang
I am also considering staying longer. I arrived on Wednesday at my girlfriend's house in a hamlet near BuriRam, and have been quarantined at home for 14 days now. No problem. I have my laptop with me so I can also work from home here. If all goes well, I can extend my visa for 30 days until May 16. Then I'm already finished. It is also quiet here, but people are aware of the virus.
You will not be able to extend your visa, because you do not have one. You have just entered on an exemption from a visa for 30 days and you can indeed extend that by 30 days for 1900 baht.
I do wonder how you will do a border run, when the borders with the neighboring countries are closed.
No idea if your own hand gel works, but at least I can laugh at so much creativity. And a smile is worth a lot when almost everything is controlled by covid19. Thanks for that!
The gel does not work optimally, iig. This requires 80% alcohol. Here in the Netherlands just methylated spirits in an atomizer, a round of nivea on the hands in the evening. Security for everything!
Dear Pete,
From your message I gather that you are somewhat laconic about the Coronavirus. Little can happen to you between your rice fields, and with your hand washing recipe you will be fine (you think).
Reality is different. You will probably realize that when hearses drive between your rice fields or is there no room for them?
And I doubt that you can change the mind of long-stayers.
Of course we should not cause unnecessary panic, but this is a serious situation. Take a deep dive into what is happening in the world right now. Maybe this will change your mind.
Peter , I am more worried about whether I can extend my visa. Also in a village in Isaan. Life goes on as normal . People die every day, even if there is no Corona. Do not let them get to you .
Tony,
Glad your life is going back to normal for you.
This is not the case for many people, but not all of them live in a village of Isaan. Hope for you that the Coronavirus dies out at the edge of your village, but I have my doubts.
And yes, people die every day and yes, you shouldn't go crazy. Correct, but use your common sense. Perhaps you would like to comment on this blog again in a week or two?