Update Coronavirus (7): Passengers Dutch cruise ship are not allowed to disembark in Thailand
The Dutch cruise ship Westerdam
The passengers of the Dutch cruise ship Westerdam are not allowed to disembark in Thailand for fear of the corona virus. The Westerdam left Hong Kong on 1 February. The cruise ship was previously refused in the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan for fear of contamination. It then sailed to Thailand and wanted to dock in Chon Buri, but the cruise ship is not welcome there.
Previously, Thailand would have given permission because no one on the ship is infected and the passengers can then leave the ship. The Thai minister of health, Anutin Charnvirakul (yes, the one of the face masks) says that he has ordered the Westerdam to be refused. “I have given this order. Permission to disembark has been denied," he said in a statement.
There are more than 2000 people on board the Westerdam, including probably 90 Dutch people. It is unclear where the ship can now sail to.
Another cruise ship, the 'Diamond Princess', has been lying off the coast of Japan for days now. There are about 3700 people on board, including five Dutch people. All people on board are in quarantine.
More than 1.000 deaths from the new Coronavirus
The number of deaths from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 1.018. Authorities in Hubei province announced last night that another 103 people have died. There are 43.112 infections worldwide.
World Health Organization WHO warns that the confirmed cases of the new Coronavirus, transmitted by people who have never been to China, could be the 'tip of the iceberg'. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in a tweet yesterday as a WHO-led team of international experts flew to China to help coordinate the response to the outbreak.
Although the virus is slow to spread outside of China, Tedros warns that it could accelerate enormously. “All countries should prepare for the possible arrival of the virus.”
News update on the Coronavirus in Thailand
- There are now 32 registered infections in Thailand. So far, 10 patients have been discharged from the hospital. 2 of the 9 Thai patients are still in critical condition. At least 689 people are being checked for the virus.
- Thailand's health ministry denies that the virus can travel long distances in the air. The virus does not travel more than a few meters when someone coughs or sneezes. The ministry will deliver 70.000 mouth masks to all state hospitals every day to prevent supplies from running out.
- In Thailand, health experts are exploring the possibility of using antibodies from a recovered patient to treat two patients who are critically ill, one of whom also has TB. Doctors are currently working to isolate antibodies from the blood of a Thai taxi driver who previously tested positive for the coronavirus. "Natural antibodies are better than medicines," said Tawee Chotpityasunond of the Ministry of Health. "We think China is using the same method." He expects the results within 48 hours.
- There is increasing criticism of China's lack of transparency and slow response to the epidemic. Yesterday, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited a hospital with corona patients in Beijing.
- A team from the World Health Organization has now arrived in China to help fight the virus. Earlier, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the team consists of 10 to 15 medics who will do preparation work for a larger team.
Source: Bangkok Post and Dutch media
https://youtu.be/Obx40v3YpqQ
Passengers from a cruise ship are refused, but holidaymakers from China, of whom no one knows if they are infected, are allowed in by the planeload.
The logic completely escapes me.
But probably that logic just isn't there, and that's why I can't find it among the loose words.
Perhaps it would be easier to keep a ship out? Or do people think that sick travelers don't get on the plane and such a ship is a greater danger? Or that the Chinese just better obey and not listen to that fucking farang (ai farang)?
After all, the minister of health has apologized for his outbursts of anger, but not towards foreigners. On his Facebook he wrote:
'ผมขออภัยที่แสดงอาการไม่เหมาะสมผ่านสื่อมว Image caption More information '
Short translation: I'm sorry for how I came out to the media, but I will never apologize to foreigners who don't respect and who don't comply with measures against the disease'
Mister is convinced that those disposable mouth wipes help... anyone who doesn't wear them is a k*ss who has to fuck off. Such is his opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/100001536522818/posts/3036373556423832
Ruud,
Your response is an almost exact copy of what I wanted to say. Logic is that the Chinese earn money after only a vague temperature measurement and the distribution of a completely useless "mouth patch" fabric.
Those passengers could be treated in the same way (measure temperature and give piece of cloth). But yes, there are also many “Ai Farang” between….
A significant number of people from Hong Kong and Taiwan are also said to be on board.
Perhaps there is a link there?
Ruud, my opinion is that holidaymakers from China weigh economic interests and a cruise ship not so much.
If you have been following the statements of the minister of health, you might wonder whether he has perhaps tried something broadening, but it is already political.
Most people follow the pack and try to gain an advantage.
What are the economic interests of a massive virus outbreak?
The only economic gain I can imagine is that when the disease has raged, the average age of the Thai will have fallen considerably.
Now Ruud, that's succinctly why was it kept silent in the beginning when it was known. The economic importance is that the Chinese open shops and can buy homes that other foreigners cannot, other than the projects they finance under this government if that is not the case. are economic interests, then I don't understand your first part! First of all, it is a question of money and then the rest: money must come into the treasury.
Those are the words of my Thai wife before they turn it right now so that they do it right now, and short thinking they are now right.
This comment from a minister and the refusal of tourists from European countries will certainly benefit tourism again. And the expats living here will certainly be happy that they are increasingly regarded as second-hand people.
could the minister perhaps be a bit xenophobic towards Westerners because he seems to have quite a lot of Chinese blood and perhaps some interests in Chinese tourism?
In any case, he has no understanding of viruses.
After his blunder last week, Mr Anutin had to step up and refuse passengers access without explanation.
These are not allowed to disembark, but in the airports it is open day, where logic ends, Thailand begins.
The reaction to this cruise ship is very similar to the reaction of a number of Dutch people to Chinese people who have lived in the Netherlands for 2 generations. Association… could we call it that?
Bizarre.
I understand the travelers are virus-free, but they are farangs…….It seems to me quite different from what happens in NL with the people who already live there….
The minister is suddenly a very decisive person, it now seems. He's giving out orders! In the Netherlands we call this a Ministerial Decree. An “order” sounds good. Especially in military circles.
I'm curious what will happen. Minister Stef Blok (BuZa) will make an effort. And if the top of the junta (sorry government) would honor that, where is the Minister of Health with his order?
Excuse hanging legs again just like with mouth patches soap?
We shall see.