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Paul Christian

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  1. Can anyone clarify a point made in a post here - If someone tests positive for this present flu virus on a flight into Thailand, is every passenger on said flight subjected to enforced quarantine for 7 nights? I haven't read this nor read of any example of this happening. That would be yet another huge deterrent to most, in making any plans to return to Thailand in the present tangle of restrictions and 'punishments.' I'll call them punishments 'or deterrents' as it's logical to assume that anyone on these flights would be the most tested and screened members of any society they'd be visiting and living amongst. I've travelled and lived all over S E Asia for close to thirty years and would like to return to visit the friends I've made there and the beaches and islands where I've dived around and relaxed on for decades but it's got to at least feel like it could potentially be relaxing.
  2. These so called 'wealthy tourists' if they do happen to visit Thailand, most do not for all the reasons in other posts, but if they do then they spend money in the big resorts and higher end malls. This accrued wealth then stays in the usual hands. The mass tourism, which does in fact visit a mid-tier destination like Thailand, does spend all they can in local restaurants, franchise stalls at regular markets, 7-11s, beach hut bars, diving schools, small bars and clubs... and all the regular local Thai businesses that provide a living for the multitudes of Thais that operate or own these small businesses. It seems the government are more concerned with filling already fat fingers whilst ignoring the tourism that supports the majority of Thais that just about get by. I've lived around Thailand for close to thirty years for at least part of each year and have many Thai friends who just about get by, even in better times. I know who I'd rather be spending money with.
  3. Having spent winters in Thailand or Bali (as well as periods within these winters at numerous other S E Asian beaches/islands) I can't say I've had nay regrets at all, and certainly none that have cost me any money or loss of dignity. Sure the immigration can be a bit surly and visa processes can get tedious but once out and about with my Thai friends, some of whom I've known for close to thirty years, it's been a lot of sunny fun. I've never tried to fully live here, or invest here and rents are good value so why buy. I've read over 2000 books but nothing academic about Thailand, though do read a lot of history and politics. I've learned some Thai and had Thai partners and for the most part, that's been mutually rewarding. I like regular Thais and they are as frustrated about their leaders as we probably are about ours in all of our countries, but Thailand is for Thais to shape into a place more conducive to their aims, just as I vote in my country for what I perceive to be the better choice of an often tawdry assembly of potential ministers. I won't even mention Bali and how badly managed their increasingly ruined natural resources are plundered and exploited. But when I am there, again with my local friends, we have truly relaxing and happy times. I discovered Thailand in my 20s and still like the place in my 50s and maybe that's because I don't expect too much from the place beyond the relaxation it gives me. I'd say most of us here would feel the same way and would smile when thinking about Thailand on a chilly and wet autumnal day in northern Europe
  4. Yes I read that - I was wondering more about whether the 2 weeks in an SHA hotel in Phuket is a restriction no longer required - I'm waiting for Bali or Bangkok really but at some point I'm going to have to head somewhere in S E Asia
  5. Which restrictions have been lifted? Double vaccinated and PCR test still in place? The 'within 7 days' of departure is a good amendment as the 2 day turnaround was causing chaos even with the very low numbers travelling
  6. It's all getting ridiculous - this constant updating of inaccurate data that so many seem to take as truth. This thing, now unleashed from China is undoubtedly with us eternally so time to move on, accepting that fact, living as normally as possible. The looming catastrophe is this irrational sole focus on this, to the factual detriment of myriad other conditions, most of which have graver consequences than this novo virus. It has never been more important to take responsibility for personal health and fitness and not simply rely on vaccines of varying efficaciousness. At some point it will be time to stop testing, apart form sample genome testing to identify mutations that could potentially be more difficult to manage. The chance of eradicating this new virus is zero. Data is only significant if accurate and in context - UK can and and does test ad nauseum and can find 30 000 cases if it wastes resources and carries out half a million tests, or it could find a fraction of those cases if it tests incrementally less. Neither figure has any importance unless a govt is seeking to either terrify the timid or reassure them. Figures are politics not absolute science. Time to move as there is a lot more to life, or there was until so many became so obsessed with this intractable problem.
  7. Not enough is said about one's own personal health and our own responsibility to aid out own ability to combat this and myriad other flu type and other viruses - we can encourage a robust immune response to viruses with effective balanced diets, a good weight and simple exercise. Vaccines aside, and some have proven a wonderful tool for protecting (from more serious complications) the aged and those with serious other health issues, the natural body needs exposure and to be allowed o develop immune responses - I recently attended a seminar that delineated the robust reaction a healthy body has to this novo virus, so this virus entrenches itself amongst us in perpetuity, personal responsibility for personal fitness and health is paramount. Especially considering that these types of flu family viruses have infinite capacity to mutate, not always increasing malignancy, though could deplete vaccine efficacy. None of this published data, bereft of context and veracity, elucidates the true nature of this now ever present condition because it's simply impossible to successfully log rates. In UK for example, approximately 500 000 were tested to detect 25 000 cases - I read that Thailand detected 20 000 cases from 50 000 tests - the ratio is important here. Having lived around SE Asia for most of my life, I certainly hope governments use a wider lens and ensure that this is now managed better so that everything else is not neglected in a one-issue battle that can never be won. Even Australia is now reaching that conclusion.
  8. This was inevitable from the outset of this - as a species we've always had to do this with myriad conditions much more grave than this one . More emphasis on personal health and taking responsibility for oneself and not expecting governments to wave mythical magic wands when these things arise My younger hard working Thai friends have lost businesses, some their homes and many their sanity during this madness.
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