Our (vaccination) heart is beating with expectation
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The Thai government receives the poodle prize for the umpteenth time in the field of vaccinations. The messages, often contradictory, roll off the offices in Bangkok like droppings from a rabbit's ass. One day there are enough vaccinations for everyone, the next day that turns out not to be the case.
Are foreigners now or not eligible for one of the admitted but not yet imported vaccines against Covid-19? Is it Thailand First, or is the realization dawning that foreigners living here are just as important to the Thai economy and health as the 'chosen people'.
There was a great surprise when GP Be Well in Hua Hin e-mailed that it had managed to get hold of 30 (!) vaccinations with AstraZeneca at the Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok. There are, however, some conditions attached. For example, the interested party must be a member of Be Well and Bumrungrad. The social security number or tax ID must also be provided and the 'guest' must be older than 60 or have one of the aforementioned illnesses. The cost is 3000 to 3500 baht.
Of course I immediately jumped into the 'bite-to-stand' and registered with my number from the Bangkok Hospital. Many years ago, living in Bangkok, I did visit the Bumrungrad, but switched to the Bangkok Hospital because of the distance. And: what's in a name?
You already understand: I was not eligible and now have to wait for a larger amount of vaccine towards Be Well and Hua Hin.
My Dutch neighbor and I have been on the ropes for a long time and try to separate the sense from the nonsense through all kinds of media. The only thing that is certain in Thailand is that everything is uncertain. We had already tried to get a vaccine administered via the Mor Prom app, but the request had always disappeared into the depths of the Thai internet.
However, a Thai neighbor found the key to this Pandora's box. My neighbor and I have been logged in since yesterday. We have even been told that we are expected at the Bluport shopping center on June 7 at 13.00 pm. With which vaccine? We don't know that and the government may not know that either.
However, you should not sell the skin of the bear before it has been shot, so our success is far from certain. Undoubtedly to be continued.
And how did you register? I think about 90% of the expats can't do this through that app since they don't have a Pink ID card. That card has always been a gadget and there has never been any obligation to have it in your possession. To my knowledge, no one has ever been officially informed to apply for such a ticket, neither at immigration services nor at police insurance or banking institutions. I know people who have lived here completely legally and legally for over 10 years and have not even heard of it. This is not an official document and after doing some research it appears that it could only be issued after 2016. This ID was originally created for frontier workers and not for expats.
I myself had already heard vague talk about people applying for this with the intention of enjoying the same entrance fee as Thai nationals here or there. For the rest, like all other expats, they must show their passports with the correct visa for official purposes.
I have nothing against that ID card, but hopefully the Thai authorities will not base themselves on an unofficial card that has never been mandatory. In my opinion, if one is going to select, this should be based on the applicable visa.
And why wouldn't that be an official document? Does the municipality not issue official documents, you think, with which registration is possible….?
It is not because this card is not mandatory that it would not be an official document.
Just like the yellow tabien track. Is not mandatory, but that does not mean that it is not an official document.
It simply means that your address details are also known to the municipality. That is not mandatory.
Only immigration is mandatory, but that does not mean that being registered with the municipality would not be official.
In the meantime, it has already appeared on various media that foreigners will be able to register from June via a new app (not yet available) or directly in hospitals.
Registering does not mean that you will be vaccinated immediately.
Don't forget to get your "Certificate of Residence" first...
Let me add to my story that I have neither a pink card nor a yellow book. The entire procedure was done by two Thais, with passport number and some other information. A few weeks ago it didn't work, now it does.
Nor is there any mention of having to have it.
If registration is not possible via an App, registration in hospitals will also be possible as soon as possible.
This morning I read on Thaivisa that it is also possible in ChiangMai by e-mail with a copy of your passport and proof of residence.
Everyone is way too busy about it. It will show itself in time.
Well I just picked up a pink ID card at the Ampur, it's nothing for you, you can't really do anything with it.
If I want to check in on a domestic flight, they don't even want to see it, just my driver's license is enough.
And why such a rush to vaccinate, I can see it and I'm not worried about it, just wait your turn and close at the back of the queue let the Thais go first.
This morning I went to the local clinic (Tambon Samed Chonburi) with my girlfriend, where there is a registration post.
The first answer was: No, not for farang, Thai first. Even after a telephone inquiry by the main person on duty at the central reporting point, the answer was the same: Thai first.
Apparently, the report from the Dutch Embassy in this is different from reality.
This morning at 7.30 am, two government officials from Aranyaprathet were already standing in front of our gate to arrange the registration for the jab. My Thai wife handed over two IDs, hers and mine, but was told that Farang's turn would not be until August.
I didn't expect otherwise and I'm not waiting for the shot either. No experimental vaccine for me. If I have to, I go for Sinovac, a traditional vaccine, if necessary through a clinic where I can choose and have to pay for it myself. That also applies to my wife, if she gets Sinovac through the state program, fine, otherwise also to the clinic.
Well... It might work someday.... And which vaccine will you get? A vaccine from Sinovac that is not recognized in Europe because it is not sufficient? A vaccine from Astra Zeneca ( meanwhile deleted in several European countries ) which is produced here? The Moderna vaccine would now also be accepted…but if only an order of 300.000 units is placed, the estimated 3 million Farangs will not be affected. A batch of the Pfizer vaccine would also have been/will be ordered? But this only for the privileged, to which Farangs do not belong… At the moment (but that can change) there is only 1 vaccine that can handle the virus mutants of Covid 19 known to date… the Pfizer vaccine. We're not going to get to that here....
Yesterday I legally received my first vaccination. It was a bit cumbersome but yes bureaucracy is everywhere.
The day before yesterday, together with my wife, I went to get a number and forms for the next day at the vaccination center. These are completed at home. Needed a lot of help with this from my wife.
Went to the vaccination center on Thursday morning. Wasn't excessively busy. All forms were checked and supplemented where necessary. A big advantage was having the pink ID card. Blood pressure, heart rate and temperature were also measured.
The vaccination itself happened very quickly. They were asked to remain under control in the center for a considerable time. Beds and ambulances were ready for emergencies.
Before departure, blood pressure and heart rate were measured again and recorded.
A photo of us was also taken by an employee.
With the call for the 2nd vaccination in our pocket we were able to go home.
Geertg, And where was that..?
Buriram
So with Sinovac. Thank you.
Today the official announcement from the ministerial covid organization BMA covid19, which clearly states: Thai first, from June-July… But “Homeless, Tramps and Expats only in August”..!,!,
This is a disgraceful example of pure discrimination!!
The vast majority of expats are over 60, so they belong to a high-risk group!
I myself live in Chonburi (Pattaya) which is a Dark Red Zone, a high risk area!
It is precisely there that they should give priority to expats, or at least offer the opportunity to be vaccinated against payment with a vaccine of their choice!
The joint embassies should stand up against this!
I don't understand all these stories. If you now read left and right which vaccines are no longer used in countries in Europe, and the stories about Pfizer and Moderna in Israel (large numbers of people who died shortly after vaccination), then I think it's nice that we still have a long to wait. You can't have enough information about this experiment on humans.
Check the facts regarding Israel, there is no truth to your statement.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/defying-rules-anti-vaccine-accounts-thrive-on-social-media/