[US announces Pfizer vaccine donation for Thailand - but no mention of its own nationals]

14 minutes ago, placnx said:

There is no empathy in the US Embassy response to its expats dilemma. Just callous. That goes for the White House spokesperson as well.

Empathy perhaps.  However there are approximately 200 countries in the world.  I would expect that all of them have expatriates scattered all over the globe.  I can not imagine the logistic nightmare if each of them said to Thailand, oh we want to send vaccines only for our citizens living in your country. 

Many of the vaccines require deep cold refrigeration. So now you have lets say only 5 countries sending them and arriving in BKK on the same day.  Where do you send them.  If you could figure out exactly where the expatriates are really residing do you then send them to a hospital located in that region?  Now you are the hospital with a single freezer to house the vaccines.  Do you have to mark which ones are for the Belgium's, French, Russians, Canadians and Australians and select only the ones dedicated to that countries citizens when a person comes in for a jab? 

The fact is that living abroad means a level of service that is diminished from living in ones home country.  Eventually there will be a supply of vaccines,   In the interim expatriates for the most part either have to live with that delay or put on their big boy pants and get on a plane and go back to their home country.   It is up to each individual to do what they feel appropriate for themselves and their family.  This idea that the government should somehow go to extraordinary lengths to accommodated those who choose to live overseas is just nonsense. 

[US announces Pfizer vaccine donation for Thailand - but no mention of its own nationals]

14 minutes ago, Isaan sailor said:

Not so easy to just hop on a plane for America.  Remember the quarantine?  How about Covid Testing prior to flying?  If you don't live near BKK, you could have a very long drive to the airport--domestic flights now shut down.  And to get two free shots of Pfizer or Moderna--you need to wait a few weeks.  If things go belly up here by October, I will take my Thai wife to America for the long stay.

You are correct.  However that is caused by our decision to live overseas.  That is not the fault of the U.S. government.  To somehow suggest that they should "make things convenient" for U.S. citizens to get the vaccine is this  I am entitled mentality that has gripped society.  

I don't like the fact that I can't get the Pfizer vaccine.  However I fully recognize that the difficulty is caused by my decision to live in Thailand.  If I had a heart condition and needed an operation, do I expect that the U.S. government will fly over a medical team to take care of me?  No, if I want to be covered by my USA Medicare I have to fly back to the USA.  Inconvenient, of course.  But there are numerous inconveniences caused by living overseas.   Life is filled with decisions and the consequences for those decisions.  If a person so dislikes the inconvenience of living in Thailand then they should reconsider and move back to the USA.  If they like living here and are willing to tolerate the things not provided back in the USA, then they should just make their own personal accommodations, and not expect the USA government to shield them from the negative aspects of living abroad. 

[US announces Pfizer vaccine donation for Thailand - but no mention of its own nationals]

Just now, John Drake said:

Sorry, I'm not a bootlicker like some people.

No I would call you more of a ingrate who expects others to make it convenient due to the inconvenience caused by your personal decision.  If you are that concerned, hop on a plane and travel back to the USA and get your free vaccine.  That is no different than if you had a medical condition and wanted the U.S. government to cover you under Medicare.  Consequence of a personal decision.  

 

[US announces Pfizer vaccine donation for Thailand - but no mention of its own nationals]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

No, we are not. The American citizens at the US Embassy received Pfizer. Why weren't they made to go back to some Walgreens in Chicago?

LOL now my dog could eat the wooden squares from a scrabble board game and leave a sentence in my yard that makes more common sense that what you have just said. 

The American Citizens at the US embassy are assigned to that location.  That is no different than our armed forces that are stationed overseas.  The government selected them to serve in those locations.  I am also guessing that the U.S. provides those it assigns to overseas assignments with health insurance as well.  They certainly provide the military with medical treatment. 

You are being treated absolutely identically to every other American Citizen who did not choose to live overseas.  You are in a position to get your "free vaccine" in the USA at most hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.  The fact that it is inconvenient is the result of "your" decision not the governments.  This is a picture of a cabin in remote Alaska.  Should the U.S. government send a dogsled team with vaccine their because it is "inconvenient" to travel to an area where the U.S. government has vaccine available. 

[50 million more doses of Pfizer vaccine, more Moderna expected to be purchased]

On 7/19/2021 at 10:28 AM, webfact said:

50 million more doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and an unspecified amount of Moderna vaccine are likely to be purchased by Thailand, to address the continual surge in infections and deaths, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday (Sunday).

With all of the reports on the volume of vaccines "they are going to purchase" Thailand should have enough to supply both China and India with the leftovers. 

[Pattaya restaurant owners once again reduced to take-away only to “fight Covid-19”, many decide to close completely temporarily, others very unhappy]

I "think" that these Covid measures are nothing more than the governments way of showcasing it "is doing something".  They don't care if the restrictions really accomplish anything.  At best the restrictions merely kick the can down the road.  When you look at various countries and states in the USA those employing identical lockdown, quarantine, mask mandates etc have markedly different Covid infection rates.  If they were effective, those countries or states with strict measures would have demonstrably lower rates.  They don't   

At the very least some common sense should apply.  If a restaurant as outside dining, and sufficient spacing between tables the risk of covid transmission is near zero.   All of these measure  might possibly, could be reduce the number of Covid cases.  However there is a 100% certainty that closing the economy will severely cripple the economy and put people in desperate financial distress.   I suspect you will see crime increase as people without money turn to criminal activities to survive. 

[US announces Pfizer vaccine donation for Thailand - but no mention of its own nationals]

2 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

where the heck is MY vaccine

You are being treated identically to every other U.S. citizen.  It is widely available even for walk in at most pharmacies and hospitals throughout the 50 states.  The fact you chose to live overseas is your decision not theirs.  Just like Medicare coverage is not available when you move overseas, certain conveniences are consequences of decisions we all make. 

[Navy Withdraws Submarine Budget Request]

Yes, it is for the time being submarined.  However like public votes on tax increases, expect the request to continue to reappear until it is eventually approved. 

[So, You want to buy a Tesla eh ?]

I am still not convinced about the entire electric revolution into cars.   First off, in the USA 40% of the electric power comes from coal, another 40% from natural gas, 10% nuclear and only 10% from renewable, wind/solar,and hyrdro electric.  So at least in part the use of electric cars only changes where the pollution is created.  Secondly, lithium is a rare earth element and essential to car batteries.  Its supply is more limited than oil and its mining is extremely dirty.  You then have the manufacturer of batteries which has numerous toxic byproducts and when the batteries need to be replaced you have to deal with how to recycle those batteries without it being a major pollution contributor.  You have the issue of accidents.  When gas is spilled it can be diluted and it dissipates quickly.  With car batteries that leak you have a much more dangerous spill.  Finally there is the practicality of the electric car.  You have to spend more to buy it, and install a charging station at your home at considerable expense.  If you were to travel a lengthy distance you have to worry about where charging stations were available and then even if found, sit for considerable periods of time while recharging.   I think the Tesla is probably a very well built car but its resale is likely in question as it steadily marches towards the time that its batteries would need to be replaced and new technology obsoletes its performance and range. 

Bottom Line - I think electric cars are "a want in search of a need" 

[Travel Authorization Form - What do you put on the form if no Thai ID number.]

1 hour ago, Tony M said:

Thanks.  I only get that in Thai.  How did you get it in English ?

No but if you use Google you can just go to the top of the page on the upper right hand corner and right click and there is an option to translate the page.  I have also had some pages at times that would not translate but I use my phone and google translate.  You go to google, hit the camera/picture icon and point at what you want translated.   Cumbersome but it does work. 

[Travel Authorization Form - What do you put on the form if no Thai ID number.]

10 minutes ago, Tony M said:

Where did you get that form ?  Is it an app ?  If so, which app ?

https://covid-19.in.th/move

[Compromised Bangkok Bank Be 1st Debit card]

12 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Last I read, chips can't be duplicated by hackers on credit/debit cards

Yes, I understand that the chips can not be duplicated.  However the majority of fraud is from card not present transactions and some merchants still don't have the chip enabled readers and rely on the magnetic stripe.  The information on the magnetic stripe includes all the information necessary to produce a cloned card with a magnetic strip.  However if they are using the card over the internet they would only need the card number, name, and CCV number which they can get from skimming or shimming the card. 

That is why so many cards these days even chipped cards have merchant systems that require a one time code in order to accept the transaction.  Though possible, it is more likely that the person doing the fraudulent transaction would not have your phone to get the one time code.  And if they did have your phone, they would not have your pin number to open your phone to get the code 

 

[Travel Authorization Form - What do you put on the form if no Thai ID number.]

13 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

it will be at the discretion of the staff;

You mean whether it is 200, 500 or 1,000 baht? 

[Travel Authorization Form - What do you put on the form if no Thai ID number.]

Going to Bangkok this Friday for a vaccine shot.  Was "told" by the Huay Yai district office that I should have a travel authorization even though I will be traveling during non quarantine hours.  I went to fill out the form and it requires an ID number be includes.  Tried to include my passport number but it would not accept that, and it won't allow the field to be left blank and continue. 

Has anyone else filled in the online form and had can share how they got the travel authorization. 




 

[travel pattaya ---bkk]

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

I guess you just don't bother with it.  Much like the QR code for going into shops etc, most people ended up not bothering.  Different rules for "farangs" (hopefully!).

Dont know but it won't allow you to leave it blank either. 

[travel pattaya ---bkk]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

There's an app.   https://covid-19.in.th/

What does the person fill in if they don't have a Thai ID number.  I tried my passport number but it won't accept that. 

[Thirty six foreigners and Thais arrested for drinking alcohol after 9 pm in Chiang Mai]

Don't order any vaccines to truly protect people but surely be diligent in arresting them if they are drinking alcohol.  

Yesterday I went to a restaurant and noticed several customers with beer bottles on their tables.  Inquired of the waitress, she indicated yes they were Heineken zero alcohol.  Now tell me, how them removing their masks to drink the non-alcohol beer was any less likely to transmit Covid than if they were drinking the identical beer with alcohol. 


 

[Lazada merchants - I've now received 2 fake deliveries COD]

On 7/17/2021 at 5:22 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Two different sellers, one in Thailand and one in China, both have sent a small envelope package rather than the items I wanted. Anyone else having the same problem? must be some scam fraud going on. I rejected both items

I had one of those.  I found out the shop was on Lazada.  I inquired where they got my information.  It turns out that both Shopee and Lazada will provide maybe they sell that information.  They refunded my COD after I told them I would report them to Lazada. 

[Have appointment in Bangkok for Astra Zeneca Shot - Can Thai GF go with me or need authorization?]

I have an appointment this coming Friday for a Covid vaccine in Bangkok.  I have read contradicting statements with some suggesting that I need an official authorization to travel out of the province and back.  Others say that the printed confirmation from the hospital is sufficient.  Also, I don't speak Thai.  Does anyone know if it is permissible for my GF to travel with me to translate.  Would she be able to do so without any additional authorization to travel or would she be permitted to go at all? 

[50 million more doses of Pfizer vaccine, more Moderna expected to be purchased]

57 minutes ago, webfact said:

50 million more doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and an unspecified amount of Moderna vaccine are likely to be purchased by Thailand

Have you noticed an ongoing refrain in all of these posts regarding the procurement of vaccines.  Words like " are likely" or government given "authorization to procure" or "in negotiations to purchase"  

The only announcements that should be newsworthy and are important are the ones that say 1. The vaccines have arrived  2. the vaccines have been distributed and 3. people can sign up to receive their vaccine.  The rest is all just a kabuke dance.  Meant to entertain us.  

 

[Stay home measure imposed by CCSA as COVID-19 pandemic worsens in Thailand]

Time to show the resolve in fighting the pandemic and post a few more pictures of elderly foreigners arrested in pubs and restaurants for having a beer. 

[Noticed many low mileage cars, something is fishy.]

47 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

If you bought "sight unseen" you can't have seen, or had anyone inspect the cars, before buying, that's what "sight unseen" means!

As I said, I could have my dog eat a bowl of alphabet soup and defecate answers that are more logical, than what you repeatedly say. 

I bought the cars sight unseen.  That is not to say that "someone" did not see the car or inspect it.  The fact that I the purchaser did not see the car, makes it sight unseen.  But given your Reponses on numerous topics that might be beyond your comprehension. 

[Noticed many low mileage cars, something is fishy.]

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

The problem is getting a car that doesn't belong to you to a dealer for that inspection! 

I agree with that.  However if the person is really interested in selling the car, I have always agreed on a price to buy it contingent on it being inspected.  I tell the seller I will agree to pay for the inspection and take possession following the inspection if it comes through clear.  If the seller balks, then I don't buy.  The seller should have no reason to object to the car being inspected if it is truly as they represent.  If they are more willing to go through additional hassle to continue to sell the car than drive it to the local dealer and have it inspected, that is a red flag to me.  I have purchased 4 BMW's in the USA that way.  Sight unseen over the internet.  Always had a good experience. 

[Roads torn up throughout Pattaya - Do they ever repair them?]

2 minutes ago, Gsxrnz said:

The real answer to the conundrum is that the cost of labour in Thailand is exceedingly cheap. Not only cheap in and of itself, but especially cheap compared to the cost of capital expenditure and utilization thereof.

They seem to have unlimited funds to rip up the streets but precious few to actually restore them once ripped up.  Case in point just outside Bangkok Hospital Pattaya there has been a section of road ripped up for months.  Another area is along Sukuvit as you travel South towards the Ambassador Hotel complex in Pattaya.  That section of road has been torn up for many kilometers for months.  You see nothing being done to actually repair it.  Why tear it up, if you are not ready for the repair crews? 

[Noticed many low mileage cars, something is fishy.]

Just now, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes, it can.   It's just a computer.

Possible, but that means that someone is going to have to be awfully clever to get the chip to match the mileage on the odometer.  Also, the dealer will have records of when the car was brought in for service and the mileage at that time.  The dealer will also be able to inspect the brakes.  If a car has 5,000 km on it and the rotors are only 50% then the mileage is bogus.  Bottom line, if the dealer gives you assurance the car has not been in an accident and the mileage corresponds to their service records, you are likely ok.