'Let's not get hysterical about the coronavirus'
Some Thais have found new scapegoats in fellow Thais who have returned from abroad by demonizing them in coronavirus Thailand. They are the new pariahs, accused of importing and spreading the coronavirus to the kingdom, whether intentionally or not. What happened last week was unpleasant and shameful for Thailand.
The 158 Thai returnees, who landed in Bangkok on the night of April 3, were originally supposed to be quarantined by the state. After being trapped at the airport for more than five hours not knowing what to do next, they became upset and unruly. Under pressure, a major general who leads the government team at the airport relented and decided to let them leave the airport to go home.
The media dived into this incident and reported that these Thais had fled the quarantine. A long list of the 158 Thais with all contact details was then put online and the witch hunt could begin. From above came the requirement that all those people had to report for a 14-day quarantine. In the end, that demand was met, voluntarily or not. These 158 Thais were branded as irresponsible, a threat not only to public health, but also to the population.
An online vigilante brigade supports the government's lockdown of the airport, which has since been extended until April 18. This led to dozens of Thais stranded at airports in Tokyo, Amsterdam and Doha, putting them at greater risk of becoming infected. Others who have made their way to airports have been stranded abroad in countries around the world, despite having full rights as Thai citizens to return to their home countries.
The number of Thais who want to return home but are told to wait until after April 18 is more than 10.000, according to the government. Meanwhile, embassies in Bangkok of many European countries with significantly higher infections and fatalities have been busy arranging repatriation flights to allow their compatriots to return home while Thais abroad are made to wait by the Thai government.
A Coronavirus phobia, or COVID19 phobia, is emerging with the stigmatization of people suspected of being at high risk of infection, the likes of which has never been seen in Thailand since the early years of the HIV/AIDS spread, decades past.
Now anyone suspected of being at high risk of coronavirus infection, whether Thais who have recently returned from abroad or foreign tourists stranded in Thailand, are being treated not just with fear and contempt, but with hate. Ironically, this can cause those people to go into hiding, allowing for more infections
Even as some Thais fear that tourists will spread the virus, until recently authorities subjected foreigners living in Thailand to a surreal visa renewal ritual.
Throngs of foreign tourists queuing closely in places like Chonburi, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan for visa extensions became a common occurrence and risked mass infections, when the government could have just immediately offered automatic visa extensions without putting anyone at risk.
This is not only stupid, but also a disgrace to Thailand. It was not until Wednesday afternoon that the government issued a general visa extension to these people, including migrant workers. But thousands have unfortunately already been put at risk by the government's delay.
This is a far cry from Thailand's image as a tourist paradise and where successive governments and the public have worked so hard over the past few decades to make not only Phuket, but Bangkok, Chiang Mai the world's top tourist destinations.
Last month, local media also reported that a nurse in Bangkok complained that she had received disturbing looks from others while wearing her uniform and buying food at local markets. For some, medical professionals are seen not as sacrifices for the public, but as potential carriers of the virus.
Thais must reduce their anti-coronavirus hysteria before it spirals out of control, before it leaves deep marks of discrimination and division in society.
It's time to talk about bigotry, coronavirus-induced mass hysteria and not just how to properly wear a face mask or wash hands.
Thousands more are expected to be infected in the coming months and no one expects a vaccine until the end of the year. Thais will have to learn to live with not only infected people, but people at risk without becoming hysterical and discriminatory.
This editorial by Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer, can be read in English at:
Oh dear, someone is waving the finger again, we are guests! Oh, it's Thai. Well then I agree with Prawit. Unfortunately, not everyone can keep their cool, calmly listen to others and make well-considered decisions. Do you indeed see the fear or even hatred towards people who come from outside (Thai and foreigners), or is it the desire to pinpoint a guilty person, to get that on the case? Just like the Thai wore a mask for a long time but then stood a few centimeters apart instead of a few meters? That this can even backfire, well.. rational thinking has long gone out the window.
That Thai officer who after hours let the Thai returnees go home on the condition that they go into quarantine there has thought. But that man has now been sidelined, punished for thinking instead of waiting for further instructions from above and then blindly following orders.
A report from a returning Thai from Amsterdam and the chaos is below (translated):
“5 hours went by and officials came to tell us that a new rule had been passed while we were in the air, that anyone landing in Thailand must go through a 14-day quarantine (not at home). Shortly after, she let us get in line to pick up our checked luggage. The officials were unable to answer questions about what we were going to do next. They knew where they were going to take us, damn, they didn't even know which carousel our luggage was waiting for.”
And further on in the report, some 11 hours later without proper food or drink, they arrive at a hotel by bus: “This was the first time we were informed about the details of how we would be quarantined. placed. Each room has 3 people. There are only 2 beds which are about 1 meter apart and the 3rd person has to sleep on the floor. No one is allowed to leave his room under any circumstances for 14 days.”
In short, the authorities made a mess of it, the plan was to lock people, strangers, with 3 people in a 2-person room for two weeks. The fact that in such chaos a high person sent people home for self-quarantine does not seem like a bad move to me. But the state must have control over everything, be willing to act decisively, flex its muscles, and so that didn't happen.
For the full report see: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10GsRLntAI78fv2A1jCJ4HUJqcrHTbtqavGDCDQmhtbY/mobilebasic
Perhaps you can consider the possibility that the following happened:
1. The first aircraft that landed on April 3 came from Amsterdam. Mainly average Thais on board who had visited loved ones in the Netherlands or perhaps Belgium (see the other posting)
2. Instructions about quarantine were changed just that night. Both the travelers and the Thai employees of various authorities were not (well) aware of this. This happens in a situation of chaos, in addition to the fact that in Thailand mainly informal communication is followed. Paper always follows later (and is not read). I was once in such a situation (SARS in China) and there was chaos there too. Nothing special in disaster situations.
3. The travelers in the first aircraft allowed themselves to be evacuated after hours and ended up in the situation you describe.
4. The second plane that evening came from the USA and mainly transported Thai students who are studying in the USA. Not the average Thai because they can't afford that, on the contrary. Children of the elite. These children and their waiting parents (or the driver) did not accept that they could not go to their comfortable houses and condos in Sukhumvit, Sathorn or perhaps Hua Hin or Khao yai as they expected but had to be quarantined in simple accommodation for even 14 days.
5. This is followed by hours of phone calls, tweets and text messages to high-ranking officials who can destroy the orders of the officer at the airport. That worked after hours. One can go home.
6. Prayut is furious because is not known in this whole story. He has been bypassed and someone (who, I think is interesting?) apparently has so much power (and more than the PM) that the duty officer at the airport changes his mind. If you know Thailand a bit, the man doesn't get it into his head to independently ignore an order from the PM, even if that order is very recent. But apparently he couldn't ignore the other order (or urgent request).
7. Prayut calls an emergency meeting at 9 AM.
8. Those sent home must report before 18.00 p.m. (to go into quarantine; tribute to Prayut?) and the officer at the airport is suspended and an investigation is underway. You never hear about that again.
What do you think: could this also have happened?
Yes, Chris, but that is also just speculation with assumptions (Thai from EU = modal, Thai from USA = HiSo). While another scenario could just as well be that the passengers were not so different from each other and the high person agreed to home quarantine for other reasons. We can therefore sketch various scenarios. I'm not going to do this now. Perhaps some verifiable facts will emerge?
Okay, one more thought then: if there are Thai people with indirect or direct connections up to a very high level in such an airplane and they are going to call them to put pressure on a major general (the CEO of one of the companies where many generals in it? A higher general? Or.. just fill in). Shouldn't we expect that one HiSo to be allowed through and the rest not? Turning a blind eye to a few people is a bit easier than a plane full of people. Or was everyone on board HiSo?
Are the Thai people who don't think before they act or open their mouth really Buddhists? And with that real Thai? 😉 After all, Buddha emphasized that you should think first and only act if you don't cause any damage. Rationality out the window, acting without thinking, without letting things sink in, is therefore against his advice. Think then act. A sound piece of advice, but many people reach for action or reaction too quickly. Then we sometimes even see back on this blog. 😉
Nb: who do I have to spell it out for, this is written with a wink. It would be ridiculous to downright racist if I were to seriously reproach the Thai people. But I've been misunderstood before, for example my comment 'When penguins are on top of each other', which referred to distance and not behaviour. If anyone wants to talk in more detail here or about anything else, just email me at Robrakthai monkey tail gmail dot come.
All sounds suspiciously like what is happening in China.
You would almost think that there is some kind of connection between China and Thailand.
Just like that minister who showed his hatred against farang, or “barbarians”.
Doesn't get any nicer in Thailand.
After fifteen years, things are starting to itch
3 days in quarantine in Bangkok.
As promised, a sequel.
A look back: A good reception and reception in Amsterdam on April 11 by the Thai Embassy staff. Nothing but praise.
Upon arrival in Bangkok, everything changed. A column of about 200 soldiers and police received the group of 15 people. In the blog and the video, which was on Thailand Blog, gives an image.
All suitcases were sprayed and even the shoes of the escorts (police and military).
In 1 bus on the way with wailing sirens with 10 cars in front and behind to the mentioned hotel.
Received by a large group, including a doctor. All wearing large masks.
Temperature measurement took place (and yes what do you want, the temperature is of course different due to the disturbed day and night rhythm and the flight than in a normal situation.
2 people were taken to hospital.
Directly sent to the room and locked up. No contact with the outside air and 24-hour security in front of the hotel and you are not allowed to leave the room without permission.
Three times a day by a member of staff, trays with food placed in front of the door.
How is she underneath:
Bizarre display and indeed a phobia for these people who are in quarantine.
A list of the room's furnishings was handed over with an amount to be paid if something happens to it in any way.
No good wifi connection and she asked if someone wanted to buy a phone card.
So far no result and what now results in telephone costs of over 500 euros via KPN.
Did a corona test (oral mucosa) today and immediately sent it back to the room.
No interpersonal contact, no outside air, no distraction....
What is the point of this action.
Fear ? Ignorance ? Say it.
Even the prison policy in the Netherlands is humanitarian compared to the above.
How can she keep this up.
To be continued.
When will some people, regardless of ethnicity, start to realize where the virus comes from? That's where it started, and there it is, through their tourists, start going around the world. And those tourists have gone en masse to Thailand, and have spread it there. That one seeks the blame, where it can be found.
The lax Thai government that did nothing for weeks after the first reports of illness from Chinese tourists? I think it is unlikely that Prayut and his ministers will admit that they are at fault and that various panicky ad-hoc measures (e.g. the health declarations, Thai embassy statements, shops closed at night, tirades that fucking farangs are dirty and should rot) didn't hit or hit anything
And yet Thais from Indonesia were able to return, +/- half of whom had the corona virus in them. How is that possible?
Who still thinks that Buddhism exists in Thailand? Well, sorry: it never existed. True Bodhism exists in India, Nepal etc, but not in Thailand. In Thailand it is called Animism, it may be interesting for many to look up the meaning of it, then they will probably understand what is happening in Thailand.
Yes, in Thailand the actions sometimes clearly go too far with all kinds of bad consequences. But it could be much, much worse. In India it is forbidden to leave your home for 3 weeks. That measure was only announced 4 hours in advance. Not well thought out to say the least. People traveling by train had to walk home, sometimes hundreds of kilometers. Along the way, they were occasionally beaten up by the police for trespassing. The food supply, of course, was also on the decline. And much more, read: https://www.zerohedge.com/health/welcome-indias-hunger-games
I actually couldn't believe it, but if you search the internet you will find more such stories.
In the Netherlands they want to introduce an app (not yet mandatory, fortunately) that indicates whether you have been within a radius of one and a half meters of a carrier in the past week. You will then receive a message with the advice (mandatory?) to go into quarantine. What are the consequences for a family if one family member receives such a message? Then it's not too bad in Thailand. Fortunately, everyone got enough time to replenish their drink stock, just to name a few.
Albert, I can vividly imagine the helplessness of you and your girlfriend. I would like to comment again on the telephone costs. Last Saturday (11/4) you wrote that calling to the Netherlands had cost € 545. Now you mention that your girlfriend still hasn't been able to get hold of a Thai SIM card and that calling via KPN has cost more than 500 euros to date. On 11/4 I advised you to have your girlfriend activate a discount bundle on her Dutch SIM card. Without a discount, calling from Thailand to the Netherlands via KPN costs € 1,00 p/m. (Received calls, if you call her half, by the way, € 0,50). Assuming that your girlfriend's KPN subscription has not been terminated, she can also very easily purchase a discount bundle from Thailand. She only needs to send a text message to number 1266 with the text: ADVANTAGE 500 ON
The cost of this bundle is €39,99 and she receives 500MB/SMS/calling minutes at a reduced rate. A telephone call will then cost a maximum of €0,10 per month. If necessary, and recommended, she can also activate an Extra Bundle (in my KPN app), which means she will receive a text message when she has reached 50, 75 and 100% of her bundle. As soon as the bundle is used up, the internet stops automatically, this is called Internet Cost Protection. If she still wants to continue using the internet, she can purchase a new bundle or send a text message to 1266 with the text: PROTECTION OFF, so she can continue using the internet at the normal (expensive) rate. Of course I wish you all the best!
Now I'm actually curious who shouldn't get so hysterical. I suspect that they mean the people behind the weak handling at the airport as Rob V. rightly outlines, but also in the countryside some became hysterical because of the return of Thai from South Korea. Unless Channel 3 is also in on the conspiracy and has broadcast fake news.
Hysteria occurs in all layers of the population, but in my opinion that is not made completely clear in the column or whether the people in power have really shown the people in the countryside that they can be influenced.
Danger is coming and we are looking for these people…and then they fall into a trap because of the lack of knowledge.
Others are much more aware of such matters but I thought about it with the red shirt campers in Bangkok during another crisis in mind.
Sorry for the comments above.
Doesn't look like discrimination. Just like in the beginning of the crisis. In Europe, Asian people were fused and abused for those reasons. While the Asian community remained silent and silent, because they always tacitly accept their fate. Make sure we don't say no to that. The virus, like any pandemic, is unstoppable. Now due to worldwide relocations within a few hours, things are going fast and we live in a tight space.
Mind you the Spanish flu also moved worldwide from Kansas USA.
Let's not blame those who unwittingly spread it unknowingly. Intensive contact between humans and animals will always remain.
Asians silently accepting their fate?? In the Netherlands and other white-nosed countries, they have rightly raised the alarm via social media and the mainstream media about discriminatory, racist to downright hateful reactions from scared white-nosed people. Or what about the 20s in Thailand, where the Thai population went very far in criticizing those higher up in society, up to the king. Partly because of this the revolution of 1932. Even under the dictatorships of the cold war there were groups of resistance (communist party but also students). Has often gotten out of hand, 1973, 1976, 1992 and several others in this century. See also all the Thai writers of books that show that people do not accept fate tacitly. The Thai and other Asians are just people, they do open their mouths or hold other forms of protest and attempts to improve their situation. If you ask me, your image of 'the Asian' needs some adjustment.
Fortunately, from the rest of your argument I assume that you think standing up for your situation is a good thing, provided that you do not express violence or hatred.
Some reading material from the old box, unfortunately the cartoons have disappeared:
https://www.thailandblog.nl/achtergrond/beeldend-uitgedaagd/
Don't blame them. In the Netherlands, there were also calls to ban flights from China after the outbreak, and people no longer wanted to go to the Chinese takeaway.
Now pointing the finger at the Thais because they are afraid of people from countries where it is difficult to give all those corpses a decent burial is very hypocritical. I understand them completely. They are afraid. Respect that.
A great danger that I personally fear is that the white farang coming from Europe and the USA will soon become the target of xenophobia.
Because the Thai population also closely follows the daily news and sees how the virus is faring in those countries.
So they quickly start to think that the increasing misery and poverty in Thailand resulting from the lockdown, etc., is due to the Farang. They have now forgotten that it once started in friend country China.
Jan Beute.
Dear Jan,
I'm actually not afraid of that at all. There are a number of reasons for this:
1. Part of the Thai population earns their living by serving white farang
2. Many Thai young people are encouraged by their parents to study at international colleges. The reason is that they learn better English than from Thais, but also that foreign teachers deal with the students in a different, more mature way.
If there is discrimination at all, there is negative as well as positive discrimination. And neither are new.
I think that complete openness and information from real experts, i.e. no general who has fallen over, can remove a lot of fear, but, as for years, the Thai government thinks that a face mask is like Haarlemmer oil, it helps against everything.
Add to that the quality of education that does not teach questioning and thinking and you have a generally docile population who think their leaders know, without asking critical questions.
Because I don't believe a crack of the figures released by the Thai government, I wish the Thai people a lot of strength in the coming period.
The person who does the daily corona briefings is a doctor, Dr Taweesin Wisanuyotin, not a 'fallen general'.
Prayut has promised B.5000 to anyone who can prove that they are without money. But in my area poor people are very scorned about it because all their attempts to qualify for it have failed.
I also read in the Bangkok Post that more than 600.000 people have quickly withdrawn their applications for that subsidy due to possible criminal investigation into the financial background that could put them in prison on the basis of the censorship laws regarding 'fake news' that have been tightened in the context of Corona. end up.