Thai minister: 'Farang who don't wear a mouth mask should be kicked out of the country!'
Source: Twitter
The Thai Minister of Health Anutin Charnvirakul made a very remarkable statement today. According to him, foreign tourists who refuse to wear a mouth mask should be kicked out of the country.
Anutin made his loaded statement today during an interview by Thai media. The minister handed out mouth masks to travelers at the BTS station Siam in Bangkok.
Equally remarkable is that he uses the word 'farang' (white person) which is seen as racist by many Thai people. The embassies also get it from Anutin: “The embassies also see that farang tourists do not wear mouth masks! We hand them out and they still refuse. They should be deported from Thailand. They don't care about the big picture. We give them masks but they don't want to wear them, unbelievable!”.
Anutin continued: “The Chinese, the Asians – they all wear masks, but those Europeans… it is unbelievable”.
Despite the Health Minister's insistence on wearing face masks, the WHO says that people who are not infected do not have to wear a face mask.
Source: Khasod – www.khaosodenglish.com/
Minister Anutin called those foreigners Ai Farang, or 'those damned farangs'. Just a little bit stronger than just farang.
Once again it appears that politicians, of course not only in Thailand but worldwide, without any knowledge of the matter, honk around and do not generate themselves to utter discriminatory slogans. The suggestion to expel "damn foreigners" is not new either.
I knew they hated us so much, but I didn't know it was that bad.
I am really shocked by these statements from that minister, but luckily my Thai wife does not hate me 55555.
And to think that this health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said a few days ago that the corona disease was not much worse than a common cold.
Doctor Li Wenliang, who mentioned the outbreak of the corona epidemic days earlier in Wuhan and was called to the mat and gagged by the police, has died of the same virus.
The Chinese social media are angry and sad, and are calling en masse for more freedom of speech.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/business/china-coronavirus-doctor-death.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage
To have a sufficient stock of masks, the following now applies
When extending your period of stay on the basis of “Retirement”, one of the requirements is now that you must prove 800 face masks. Purchased in Thailand. Invoice signed by the seller as proof. These masks must have been in your possession for two months on the day of the application. Yes, I know, that was before the virus even existed, but those are the rules that were introduced today. You may not use these masks for the first 3 months after your extension has been granted. You have to come and show it. Afterwards you can use them, but you may not drop below 400 masks... It's a matter of having enough in reserve that you are not allowed to use. With the next application you must have everything replenished up to 800 and this 2 months before the new application....
😉
Indeed Ronny, exactly as you say, but the strange thing about the whole thing is that you are only allowed to have that stock of face masks that are manufactured at a factory designated by the government. The face masks therefore cost double for the Ai Farang as the minister calls them. You just need to know where your place is. Don't think that money can buy everything.
Would that man know that such a cap does not stop viruses?
Here in Pattaya I hardly see anyone with such a mask.
Furthermore, not all whites are Europeans. Russians Americans and Australians are also whites….
Thais are unbeatable when it comes to making fun of themselves.
ไอ้ฝรั่ง, Ai farang, damn/fucking white noses. ไอ้ = [a derogatory vulgar curse] damn; [a vulgar prefix placed in front of fierce animal names or used when insulting a male
That minister briefly lost his patience and has since apologized, Khaosod indicated in an update. It's nice that the editors publish something from Khaosod, I always start the morning with Khaosod. Only then do I look at BangkokPost, Thai PBS and Prachatai as primary Thai news sources. 🙂
Oh and not that the masks really help, especially when it comes to the 'doctor's masks' instead of FFP2 and FFP3 masks. The minister is apparently a fan of symbolic measures and/or following the herd (so everyone does it...). However, the World Health Organization does not recommend wearing them unless you are sick yourself (sneezing, coughing):
—
Wearing a medical mask can help limit the spread of some respiratory disease. However, using a mask alone is not guaranteed to stop infections and should be combined with other prevention measures including hand and respiratory hygiene and avoiding close contact – at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and other people.
WHO advises on rational use of medical masks thus avoiding unnecessary waste of precious resources and potential mis-use of masks (see Advice on the use of masks). This means using masks only if you have respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing), have suspected 2019-nCoV infection with mild symptoms or are caring for someone with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
—
Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
And then don't wear the mask yourself!
Would Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, who can also call himself health minister, understand at all that the mass hysteria that has arisen to wear a mouth mask is complete nonsense.
In the photo above he has that so-called important cloth hanging at the bottom of his chin, and if it really was that dangerous, he could already light dozens.
He just has to get used to the fact that a lot of Farang and also Thai people understand the nonsense of the government, that by wearing such a cloth you suddenly have everything under control.
As much as I've heard and jeered, wearing a mouth mask makes no sense for both the corona virus and the so-called particulate matter, which has also been done bitterly for years.
When I heard Prayuth speak with an arrogance on Thai TV last week, as if he wanted to teach the world how to handle a Virus, I was not at all surprised that the next day Thai social media was full of the most hateful insults ,
Not that I think everything in social media is good, but can't you even ask for it by behaving in a certain way?
Wearing the same face cloth has been recommended for years by these gentlemen as complete nonsense, popular stupidity and sweetener, because they do not think of a truly effective measure against air pollution and dangerous particulate matter.
And then get angry at a Farang who is used to not swallowing all the nonsense from his country that a government tells them.
And please stop with that equally stupid comment, if you don't like something then you better get rid of it, because that is exactly what we rightly disapprove of this Anutin.
You could say that such a hateful, bordering on racism comment might well mean fewer tourists
But hey, gentlemen like these obviously have little idea of what is important in the promotion of tourism.
And whether there is an ability to learn?
Given this man's suspected background, I fear the worst.
The curious thing is that in China the same pranks are played by those in power.
Could there be some form of equality in thinking?
Perhaps?
All thai wear the wipes, haha, just like a helmet.
That minister of health tries to mask his own failure with such statements. There has been quite a bit of criticism in Thailand via Thai social media because measures were delayed for a long time, bringing their students back from China, and giving priority to the economy rather than information and prevention. By explicitly accusing farang of indifference, he implicitly says that Thais are doing fine, provided that the advice of the Thai authority is followed. It's nice that the same Thai social media is now forcing him to think and to make (sincere?) apologies.
Well, he just had a rough few weeks. He really had to work and think for a change and couldn't fall back on things that have already been done (and don't work).
Totally agree: everyone without a mask out of the country (including Thai)
Replace your mouth mask with a motorcycle helmet, Mr. Minister, and look who you have to kick out of the country….. And as a subsequent exercise, replace your mouth mask with corrupt officials. Then it clears up nicely, in Thailand…………
Indeed Erik there are more deaths in Thailand from not wearing a helmet than from not wearing a face mask.
He has since received a lot of criticism from home and abroad. He has apologized on Facebook.
He spoke in front of the “Bühne”, how stupid can you be!
that's easy, just message on face book and done. Unfortunately I can't look at the comments since I don't have a face book, that's a shame. But I do feel honored by such a rude statement.
I wouldn't be surprised if this man graduated cum laude from a Thai university!
Khaosan Road University
Without doing anything wrong in this country, on the contrary, we helped build it, we are faced with such insults. Just compare it to the Netherlands, where we are overrun by criminal immigrants who are never treated less than with the velvet glove. I'm done with it.
Came back yesterday from 3 weeks in Pattaya. You will not be offered anything there. And only 5% at the most, including the Thai themselves, wear a face mask. It has already been proven that these do not help at all, but that aside. Certainly not if you hang it under your chin during a conversation. It's a pity that we Frang are called out like this, when he needs us so badly.
The TAT just wonder why those ไอ้ฝรั่ง, Ai farang, keep coming away?
In another interview, 90 percent of pedophilia was said to involve foreigners.
We can't make it more fun for the Farang in Thailand
I think that a serious protest should be made at ambassadorial level against this insult.
Here in Chiang Mai carries over 50 proc. from the lokake, Thai, population no masks, no helmets either, but that is another problem, and they are no longer available anywhere, nor is disinfectant hand wash.
I think that 99 percent of the damn farang are considerably more intelligent than this political ignoramus and also handle this inflated crisis even better.
If you make a calculation based on population, there is actually nothing wrong in Thailand. More people die from air pollution that with simple enforcement for 80 percent. could be reduced, but this is not politically feasible. Then insult that damn farang. Then kick us out and Thailand will soon be a developing country to which the farang has to send relief goods. No money because that comes in the pockets of gentlemen like this minister.
It seems that a scapegoat has definitely been found, in case an epidemic breaks out.
That farang without a gauze mask, only good for collecting saliva, has infected the whole of Thailand.
By the way, I was walking in Central Plaza yesterday and hardly anyone there was wearing a mask. (me neither)
I have been in Thailand since January 1 and saw many Thai people with a face mask in Bangkok and on various islands, but I have been seeing that for years.
Now 3 weeks in the Isan where it is noticeable that very few face masks are worn. Perhaps locally, but still.
He better worry about being forced to wear a helmet!
That saves brain damage.
Hereby everyone have a nice time and wonder if there is a Thai proverb, which means the same as "the soup is never eaten as hot as served"
Yes Joe,
I am now also staying in Isarn and see more face masks than moped helmets, or do I see more moped/motorcycle helmets than face masks!!
It doesn't matter here because helmet duty would result in less brain injury??
This is how problems continue to sweep across the country! With front and rear lighting of every means of transport there would be fewer victims.
Mouth cap more or less??
What does it even matter!
I am staying in Uthai Thani and there are hardly any face masks to be seen here. That was different in Bangkok.
Thailand has made it to the Telegraph and perhaps even the world press.
https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/2115532611/thaise-minister-valt-uit-naar-westerse-toeristen-zonder-mondkapje
I expect that the tourist flow to Thailand will decrease even further.
Just as leading from the big boss of the ministers:
During the demonstrations of people who asked for subsidies because the price of rubber had plummeted:
“Go sell your rubber on Pluto and ask for subsidies there”.
Or during the floods in Isan during the previous rainy season :
“These floods are a challenge. Now learn to fish instead of planting rice”.
I canceled my trip to Thailand because of this message.
Still in talks with insurance about ticket refund.
Don't mind this whining.
Won't work Carlos,
What valid reasons would you give?
Moreover, Thailand still remains a wonderful holiday destination!!
if you don't get your money back, travel on to a neighboring country where you are most welcome, and are also cheaper given the high tbh.
In fact, a lot of people should cancel their Thai destination or indicate that they are going to a neighboring country. I myself feel comfortable in Myanmar and should do a lot more.
It's Thailand in the 90's
Those who know this period know exactly what I'm talking about.....
Gr.TonyM
Number of corona deaths in Thailand = 0
Number of road deaths in Thailand in January = 1589
If stupidity hurt, many Thais would cry in pain.
Those cheap masks they hand out don't hold anything back, just for the sake of appearances if they hand out the real masks that are 4x as expensive, maybe economic considerations right...
I feel especially lately that they would like to kick us out anyway.
They still don't understand what the consequences would be for the country if this really happened.
A minister who makes such statements only shows how stupid he is.
Yes, now you can see how many Thais really think about us, because he is certainly not the only one.
Make your chest just like things ever go wrong in Thailand…..
That man is not the Thai people, but a member of the elite.
He is used to the submissive oppressed Thai and not the farang.
Furthermore, they will probably be annoyed to death by the comments on Thai visas, for example, which they can do little about, except possibly block the site, but it will then quietly continue abroad.
I also get annoyed with the comments that seem to have no other purpose than to defame Thailand and its people.
My experience with the Thai people is good, sometimes I have even received more privileges from the Thai than the Thai themselves.
However, you also need to understand that all crime tends towards the money.
There is an excessive percentage of criminals in the tourist areas.
The chance of bad experiences with the Thai is therefore much greater there.
As Minister of Health, Mr. Anutin should also worry about the number of villages in the NE of Thailand where water is still not available for everyone.
No possibility to do the laundry or take a shower yourself ... talking about spreading disease.
That virus is an import in Thailand from abroad. If you assume that if an infected person wears a mask, he or she can (almost) no longer spread the disease, then you come to the conclusion on this haphazard assumption that all those damned farang that flow freely into Thailand should wear a mask. wear. Given the fact that they won't (all of them) you have to exclude them, unless you screen them and only allow the uncontaminated farang (including the re-entry farang). This will greatly reduce the tourist influx in Thailand and therefore cost Thailand a lot of money.
A disaster of global magnitude also costs money worldwide, not accepting it only costs more money.
Again, our Thai army friends are showing their true face more and more.
People don't care about the European tourist.
They're going to break this up, but they haven't figured that out yet.
And the worst part is that we can no longer observe the sincerity of their world-renowned "Thai smile" behind those mouth masks they all wear now. The smile of “welcome to our country and leave as many dollars and euros as possible before you return”.
Still kicking tourists out. We are going in 5 weeks, but to be honest, we don't feel like going yet. We have been going for 12 years with great pleasure, but have dropped quite a bit. But I am afraid that we have lost our money from the tickets. I don't think the cancellation insurance pays out on this basis.
Correct, Mary
That's no reason to cancel!
Just come and enjoy Thailand, because it remains a wonderful holiday destination
There are so many wonderful holiday countries nearby, just continue traveling to Vietnam or Cambodia….
The minister has since apologized:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-07/thai-minister-sorry-for-threatening-tourists-not-wearing-masks
He has not apologized for his insulting remark “Ai farangs”.
He has apologized just for the word “farangs”.
And masks are not really effective:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-06/want-to-avoid-virus-forget-face-masks-top-airline-doctor-says
Q: Does wearing masks and gloves help prevent infections?
A: First of all, masks. There's very limited evidence of benefit, if any, in a casual situation. Masks are useful for those who are unwell to protect other people from them. But wearing a mask all the time will be ineffective. It will allow viruses to be transmitted around it, through it and worse still, if it becomes moist it will encourage the growth of viruses and bacteria. Gloves are probably even worse, because people put on gloves and then touch everything they would have touched with their hands. So it just becomes another way of transferring microorganisms. And inside the gloves, your hands get hot and sweaty, which is a really good environment for microbes to grow.
Think about it and form your own opinion.
Ai farang are a form of income for the Thai leadership that they have tolerated and promoted for years.
The realization has been added for some time now that those Ai farang have also founded families, had children and also introduced broader insight through study and development from abroad.
The latter can be missed by a dictatorial regime like a toothache with abscesses.
Not a single infection in Thailand yet????? The same in Cambodia, where people go completely against science. Corona virus is not present in Camboda and wearing masks would be penalized (source: local residents who have it through news channels).
And the "civilized" world is there and watches...... Performance???? too damaging to the economy and their wallets.
The time is coming when the European, the American, all Ai farang (try) to wake up their respective governments to force these kinds of dictatorships to really respect people and human rights.
When???? maybe not tomorrow.
nail on the head, the dictatorship does not tolerate foreign influences
Jesus and that man probably did college. How stupid can you be or maybe he used yaba or drank too much? If he takes a look at those dead…
all the farang out, then Thailand won't have much left. I just came back yesterday, and it seems already low season now early February compared to other years.
Think you're completely wrong, this has been going on for years, and believe me, they've had it here with the fralang, which also testifies to the regulations for visas,
the health minister has apologized. IT SEEMS!
Because:”Hours after his outburst, Anutin took to his Facebook to apologize for his remarks, which he blamed on ill manners displayed by some foreigners.”
He made a top facebook apology saying he said it because some farangs had “showed bad manners”. So that's not really an excuse but just an explanation why he said this!! I was already surprised. A little Thai in a higher position does not make an excuse. Is way too impressed with himself. Also now again.
I have a ticket for March 5.
But don't use it.
I think there's a lot more going on than what's being said. Too bad I always enjoyed going there. But this minister really goes too far.
Dear Peter ,
Just come to Thailand and don't care about this fool he probably had an accident without a helmet and left brain damage.
So come and enjoy there is nothing to worry about here .
Have a nice trip
Unbelievable that a minister expresses himself like that.
I take this as a slap in the face.
I've been living here for almost 11 years now and if not for my partner
I would like to get out of here as soon as possible.
I'm going to look into the surrounding countries where we can go together
and are welcome.
I left Thailand last November and I feel it was a good choice. Not only because of corona but also because of all the worries and rules. Now in Spain and what my surprise: the price level here is equal if not lower than in Thailand. Goodbye Thailand.
Exactly John, And moreover, you fall under EU and Schengen state legislation, usually compared to Thailand, a more tolerable climate for the average European, also often cleaner air, no 90-day notification, no TM 30 nonsense if you come home from touring for a few days, no fluctuating exchange rate etc etc, in short all the rights you would have in your home country. Viva Spain 555
And also considerably easier and cheaper to visit the Netherlands.
I am going as well!
Oh don't worry, this man is under high voltage because of the virus.
When you are under pressure / stress yourself, you swear and you may also say something wrong.
Nice of him to apologize for that.
Would people from countries where face masks are so eagerly worn never wonder where those viruses originate and why?
The HN51 virus came from Thailand itself, SARS I believe from China. HIV then from Africa. Could it be that Europe will be spared thanks to more knowledge, more preventive and more sensible behavior (no interaction with wild animals). And wouldn't it be wiser to listen to Europe. But yes, being sensible requires more intelligence than arrogance. So just the last.
recently flew to Bangkok, in a nice promotional video about how to behave at the airport at immigration we were called Aliens, and now this. Is it time for all "bad" foreigners to cross this country off their bucket list, now with Corona virus an opportunity
Alien is a fairly general term
Flew on a face mask flight from EVA air on January 25, most Asians and staff wore face masks. During dinner, the masks came off, as if the virus is waiting for you to finish eating!
… and the masks are neatly pulled aside to spit a thick, greasy phlegm on the floor.
Source: multiple own observations
Unfortunately, you do not get a high position in Thailand because you are capable, but because your family is fist deep in a corrupt and nepotistic society. Thailand will never work as long as the people accept the rule of these idiots.
They are too stupid to take simple measures, something about the air pollution, the insane traffic insecurity or the absurd mountains of dangerous dogs.
Blaming the farang is so easy, because doing something wrong yourself is of course impossible as a Thai..
Oh well, as long as I don't have to pay taxes here, and I can go back to the US or the EU, it's funny here….
The reaction of this “minister” does not surprise me. The man exudes utter stupidity when it comes to issues like this. Making excuses is not an option. I get it best given the completely different background. However, to brush every farang over the same brush is, in my opinion, going too far. The refusal suited this roaring buoy well. The old scapegoat game. Incidentally, I have noticed for some time (long before the Coronavirus) the changed attitude of some Thais towards Western tourists, visitors, etc. With the emphasis on some. The shoe pinches him very differently. The pennies are no longer coming in. Also a process that started much earlier. The change within the government to focus primarily on the Russians (after 2010 no longer an important factor) and now mainly the Chinese tourists. Unfortunately, Corona threw a spanner in the works. What do you do as a “minister” then? Above all, don't put your hand in your own bosom, but stigmatize it. Like once in China at the time of the Boxer War. Xenophobia next to Corona an illustrious company.
Actually he is honest, live in the isaan, live in a very nice village, that always goes well, nice friendly hard working people, but once a year when I have to extend my visa I get the jitters and unfortunately I am not alone , that is not actually due to regulations or anything, at immigration here you are sometimes helped like a dog, sometimes I wonder where all that hatred and envy comes from,
If we are not welcome to the Fralangs, why don't they say this, perhaps what this minister called out is a bit exaggerated, but he doesn't really win any punches, can we also benefit from this, right?
Finally it has now been officially confirmed publicly that they should not have the falang here. Something they made us feel for years but didn't say. Thais are racist towards the farang. That imbecile minister must have a serious loss of face now with his stupid statements. I don't think he went to school very long. Another serious line through the bill because this is going around the world. What should all those people do who no longer have any income due to even fewer tourists due to this incident? Always blaming the falang for their stupidities. Not doing well I would say.
Don't the rose-colored males have any comments now?
I've read it all once and I'm stunned by all the negativity. I'm ashamed of the bastard and arrogant behavior of many foreigners in Thailand because they also see me as their 'kind'. For decades I have tended to tell the Thai who call me 'farang' to get in touch with me that one shouldn't think of me as most others 'farang' because arrogant or not I think I'm pretty correct behave. Maybe that's the reason why I can hardly ever agree with all the negative things that many foreigners experience as negative in dealing with the Thai. I have lived in Thailand for about 30 years and I am very glad that I do not live in the Netherlands. We 'foreigners' have to adapt and 'the Thai' have the right to make demands of us. If we disagree and therefore do not like to be in Thailand anymore, we are free to leave. When the wheat is finally separated from the chaff, the 'good farang' who do love Thailand have the chance that the demands on us will be eased. Take a good look in the mirror and try to see what you are doing, how you behave, how others see you. Maybe then you will understand why there are Thai people who behave towards you as if you are not loved
Dear renter,
It is a misconception to believe that you should unquestioningly accept everything from someone or something you love. On the contrary, 'loving' means an open mind and honesty. As the well-known Thai intellectual Sulak Sivaraksa said, "Loyalty requires contradiction."
I love Thailand, I am homesick for Thailand. I have always had good contact with Thai people of all shapes and sizes. I immersed myself in Thai society and participated in all kinds of ways. I have provided appropriate and constructive criticism of wrong things when I thought it necessary. That's not cocky or arrogant, though depending on how you put it.
I was never blamed for that, they often just agreed with me, and we tried to do something about it together. Looking away from abuses is the worst thing you can do to the Thais, that is not love but fear and unwillingness.
The biggest mistake man can make is surrounding himself with yes-men or people who remain silent. Criticism and contradiction are indeed extremely important. It does not matter whether the opinion is positive or negative. What matters is whether the person in the heart really has respect. This minister will really not look much differently at a farang who takes the face mask silently than one who politely refuses it. At least, I get the impression that this minister does not see foreigners as equal people and does not respect them. 'you are welcome as long as you know your place and don't open your mouth', well then you are not really welcome. You do not see people who do not respect or even tolerate differing opinions as equal and they will certainly not work on easier regulations for you. Things have been going wrong from the moment we don't see each other as equals. And you cannot build equality by dancing to someone's tune, staying silent or putting syrup on people's mouths.
Indeed, the minister says: you are welcome provided you let money roll, know your place and keep your mouth shut! And that is also what @rentenier also argues. Come to Thailand, accept the way things are here, let the upper class do what they do with the lower class, look away, see nothing, make yourself well, and let the Thai smother in its own troubles. Fortunately, there are not many of these types of rentiers in Thailand.
That's just how it is, Rudii. I totally agree with you. On my last visit to Thailand, a long week ago, I noticed the magnitude of the tensions you mention, and other tensions that should not be mentioned.
Koi is the Thai word for 'little finger'.
It is a misconception if people think that I unquestioningly say yes to everything and agree with it, because then I would not have responded here either. It's even the opposite. It is indeed the way you criticize Thai. Negative and oversimplified criticism usually has no positive effect. Constructive criticism with explanation has a better chance of success, but no guarantee that people will do anything with it. I usually set a good (in my opinion) example in the hope that I stimulate the Thai. I have owned my own businesses and worked for a number of Thai companies and really in all corners of Thailand and participated in all Thai social environments. I have also had trouble with Thai people who disagreed with my constructive criticism. jealous people, extortionists, threateners, but they usually turned around. In my current environment there are many Swedes and they are a bigger disturbing factor than, for example, the Russian sun worshipers. But I live my own life and keep offering my help where I think I can make someone happy. This week, among other things, helped a Belgian with buying a car, taking out insurance and he is unmarried, not a Thai guarantor, we had to go to the Immigration Service, etc., but everything turned out fine. I also succeeded for myself, so putting my experience at the service of people I would like to help.
Dear pensioner, you are credited with your dedication to other fellow EU immigrants. That you have experienced the Thai in various situations, ditto. But even then it is not fair to think that they are not entitled to criticism. On the contrary. Today's events in Korat show how in fact Thailand is a divided, frustrated and unequal country. Much comment has been made on a member of the Thai government. Rightly so! This country is going off the rails, not only because of the risks of a worldwide virus infection, not only because of political fighting and wrangling, also because there is absolutely little attention for what is really going on in Thai society. I don't have the impression that you have (had) an eye for that in your 30 years.
"I am ashamed of the bastard and arrogant behavior of many foreigners in Thailand because they also see me as their 'kind'."
Could you explain what this bastard and arrogant behavior consists of?
I have spent many years in entertainment areas, but generally I have not observed indecent or jerk behavior among the farang, but people having fun.
Except maybe, as an exception, some dead-drunk specimen.
Anyway, you will also find that with the Thai.
“Maybe then you will understand why there are Thai people who behave towards you as if you are not loved.”
How many farang would that minister have ever spoken to, or had a beer with?
Rentenier is pretty clear if you don't put a grain of salt on every word.
Anyone who wants to live in Thailand should know that rights must be specified that are common in NL or BE. If you are not prepared to do so, the choice for Thailand may not be the smartest.
Making changes in a country is a task for its own residents that you, as a foreigner, should not do if the system falls within the reasonable boundaries of the UN. Sovereignty is a great asset that our ancestors have abused quite a bit and has served us well given our collective wealth and place in today's world.
I think Rentenier, with his 30 years of knowledge, knows that you don't have to worry about statements made by politicians in Thailand. As written in an earlier comment, the Thai are quite good at producing statements that are really not possible with us.
A Thai will react just as surprised to the derailed Zwarte Pieten discussion and the changing of food names such as negro kiss and moorkoop. I am now curious whether the nice Africans will also be banned, by the way.
I even estimate that a Thai would see those changes as the biggest sense and there are other things you can worry about.
The left-wing church loves seeing bears on the road, but then Thailand is really the wrong country to try to change it, especially as a foreign influencer.
On the left and right flanks you can see plenty of bears, monsters and ghost images. The fact that the somewhat down-to-earth Dutch (left, right or whatever) are discussing this shows how well things are going. They have been compared to things such as 'a roof over my head' and 'can I still pay for my care and food tomorrow?' quite trivial matters. A Thai indeed has other things on his mind. There is no well-functioning rule of law, a decent safety net, etc. The elite does not want input from ordinary Thais, let alone foreigners. The Thai must know his place, the foreigner especially. Outspoken farangs, no matter how good or bad they express their arguments and criticism, this minister does not want to hear about. Me...I...Thailand will not get any better with these people at the helm.
Who are the 'good farang'? I see myself as a good person, or at least someone who has the best intentions. But there are fellow countrymen and Thais who abhor my views (for some I am a communist, an activist, I rave, I wave my finger, I don't know my place as a guest and so on). There will always be people who are very irritated by 'the foreigner' when he or she gets out of line. There will be no red carpet, you cannot select between 'good farang' and 'not good farang'. A 'not good farang' might as well love the country. And a 'good farang' (someone who doesn't appear on the radar) can be someone who silently goes with the winds. Which makes me wonder whether such a person really loves Thailand and the Thai? See them as equal?
In my book, the 'good farang' (or other foreigner) is a person who sees people as equal. Regardless of nationality, gender and so on. Some of them open their mouths, others prefer not to be noticed. All fine. And the 'not good farang' think that throwing money at it will get you there (I pay so I decide, they really need our money). But will it make any difference to policy if certain foreigners no longer stay in Thailand? I doubt it. The only thing that can help a little is having respect for others, even if the other person may criticize your 'rose-colored' or 'black' glasses view on subject X or Y. But even if people see that you mean well, they will still I don't think the policy really changes. We all know the statements such as 'yes, these rules are not intended for you, you are different, but we have to implement these rules even if they bother you because...'.
I once read on this blog that Thailand would have few rules and I rather doubt that given the little updated legislation that can easily get you into trouble for being active in the country.
In my Thai group of friends I sometimes talk about my miserable position as a tolerated employee, minimal investor and family guardian.
Everyone agrees that it is not ideal but they are the ones who could change that. Since there are many other things that are much more important, this lousy situation will not change quickly and I will have to take action myself to be able to follow the rules.
There are plenty of options, but I have the feeling that often the financial security from NL is the starting point of country hopping. If that has to be given up, the world is too small.
I also sometimes spar with my 85-year-old mother with only state pension. She immediately says that you have no business in Thailand if you don't have the money for it and as a son I can only agree with her.
Land hoppers have to land in the southern EU so that the Euro is spent there and at the same time there is less nagging. Win Win for everyone with rose and black glasses.
Well, it looks like it's going to be very quiet here.
Few will go on leave and the rest will leave the country.
Great, we -pink glasses- get to deal with less whiners -black glasses.
I hope all the negatives keep their word.
Very annoying that comment from that minister, but fortunately I had positive experiences with the Thai people in Thailand in recent weeks. But more and more comments like this and you don't feel like visiting Thailand anymore.
Another typical political idea: without any knowledge of the matter, to impose something that does not help. To indicate a little more about his own intelligence, he is not wearing one himself in that photo.
Didn't that disease originate in a country where people wore such (useless) mouth masks before, so before the outbreak? And aren't those mouth masks, which are now being bought up en masse by Chinese tourists, produced in China?
It's OK that you don't know everything. That you know very little is already less OK. But that you spout useless and pointless nonsense ... but the politicians are not much better with us. They also know everything much better.
We leave for Thailand, Bangkok and Changmai next week. Are many face masks worn there?
They should be the first to kick this minister out of the country because he is not wearing the mask properly. The only thing this minister has achieved so far is that he now knows how to get the world press over you.
I understand that Papa is angry, standing in front of the congested press, handing out wipes to his children and refusing the adult foreigners to take them.
It is obvious that we should not take this man seriously.
Thailand remains a fantastic country for me!
First let the Chinese enter the country for a while and then such a reaction, hypocritical
This minister would do well to watch those handing out mouthcloths. Without wearing one yourself!!??!!
In addition, he should take a good look at street scenes, boxing matches, etc. and determine what percentage of the people appearing on the screen:
1. does not wear a mouth cloth and
2. how many thai are that percentage and
3. what percentage of that damn farangs.
He would have more effect to encourage the Thais themselves to wear those caps. Because those damn farang don't come from an infected area in principle.