Anutin: Forget "Phuket Model" - opening up the kingdom is "Thailand Model"

[webfact]

Anutin: Forget "Phuket Model" - opening up the kingdom is "Thailand Model"

 

Anutin says "We're ready!"

 

Thailand's deputy PM and Health Minister said before yesterday's CCSA meeting that opening up the country to foreign tourists should no longer be called the Phuket Model.

 

Now he has referred to it as the "Thailand Model".

 

Anutin Charnvirakul spoke to The Bangkok Insight and said that the department of public health was ready for the country to be reopened to foreign tourism. 

 

Later at the meeting plans for the STV or special tourist visa were agreed subject to interior ministry rubber stamping today.

 

The media suggested that some countries where the virus is under control may form a "travel bubble" whereby quarantine may not need to be the full 14 days. It was not clear whether this came directly from the minister. 

 

But they quoted him as saying that the emergency decree - that has been extended to the end of October - was not a political tool but one that helped in curbing the spread of the virus. The powers meant that the authorities have expediency when dealing with incursions at borders in particular. 

 

He said there were lots of considerations in preventing a second spike of coronavirus.

 

He also said that Phuket people should not be seen as "lab rats" in the reopening of the country as this was now not just about Phuket but Thailand as a whole. 

 

Source: The Bangkok Insight

 

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[Thaiwrath]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

But they quoted him as saying that the emergency decree - that has been extended to the end of October - was not a political tool

But he is, literally !  ????????????

Edited September 29, 2020 by Thaiwrath

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Now he has referred to it as the "Thailand Model"

considering this guy's overall foolishness, surprised he didnt call it :"my model"

[steven100]

and the wheels on the bus go round and round .....      lol

[PatOngo]

Anutin?..............The Chinese Model!

[Justgrazing]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

also said that Phuket people should not be seen as "lab rats" in the reopening of the country as this was now not just about Phuket but Thailand as a whole

Ratland then .. 

[Flying Saucage]

There might be people in the elite who are quite tired of losing billions of business and revenue from the countries' isolation, ordered by Prayut and his Chinese friends. I might be wrong, but I think not everyone is as close to China and it's supply-chain of luxury Swiss watches, as Prayut and Prawit, and that it is China who  wants the Thai borders kept close.

 

And not to forget, the Thai elite can buy expensive watches themselves, they don't have to "borrow" them like some army guys. It is the generals who take the bribes, whereas it ususally is the rich elite which pays bribes to boost their businesses. When outsiders take over control of the generals, not all of the elite might be happy.

 

I see this announcement of Anutin carefully positive.

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by Flying Saucage

[colinneil]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

But they quoted him as saying that the emergency decree - that has been extended to the end of October - was not a political tool but one that helped in curbing the spread of the virus

Was not a political tool, ????????anybody who believes that is definately a tool.

[4MyEgo]

Covid is starting to be seen for what it is, another respiratory disease that spreads quicker than others, killing predominantly older people like a lot of us expats here on TVF.

 

Borders will open sooner than later because if they don't the country will go down the gurgler, people will die, it's a common occurrence, a vaccines will be available within 6 months if not sooner, most will take it, although no vaccine will be 100% safe, so let's get the show rolling, people need to work to be able to eat, repay their mortgages, and the sex tourists need to unload.....their money, after all what would life be without a holiday. 

 

See you either here or in heaven.

Edited September 29, 2020 by 4MyEgo

[JusticeGB]

Exact details will be given to tourists after departure as TAT hasn't yet worked out what they should be but as I am more hi so than the Governor of Phuket he won't be given any credit for the regulations. 

[Hayduke]

3 hours ago, Flying Saucage said:

I think not everyone is as close to China and it's supply-chain of luxury Swiss watches, as Prayut and Prawit, and that it is China who  wants the Thai borders kept close.

 

The Hero-General and his merry band of henchmen can throw around new 'Tourism' plans all they like....but it's not their call. Any actual plan to open Thailand's borders will require pre-approval from China.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by Hayduke

[Destiny1990]

But where will be the Catwalk?

[Sydebolle]

So the "dirty farang" hater realized that it is the afore-mentioned who pay the bills ...... 

[natway09]

Interesting that they talk about NZ folks being allowed in after October.

Has anyone thought about how ? It is a long swim

[johng]

4 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

So the "dirty farang" hater realized that it is the afore-mentioned who pay the bills ...... 

Chinese cousins let in first dirty foreigners last.

[sherwood]

Oh how I laughed.

This fella would be fantastic at "stand up" oh yes, he already is in that line of work. 5555 

[khunjeff]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's deputy PM and Health Minister said before yesterday's CCSA meeting that opening up the country to foreign tourists should no longer be called the Phuket Model.

 

Now he has referred to it as the "Thailand Model".

If they haven't actually implemented it, it's just a concept, not a model at all.

[baboon]

 "I might be wrong, but I think not everyone is as close to China and it's supply-chain of luxury Swiss watches, as Prayut and Prawit, and that it is China who  wants the Thai borders kept close."

 

But why would they (the Chinese government) care if the likes of you or I are in Thailand or not? It isn't like we are a pimple on their bottom let alone a thorn in their side...

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, colinneil said:

Was not a political tool, ????????anybody who believes that is definately a tool.

Hub of tools.. 

[Tarteso]

Phuket Model, Thailand model...

and what about Lady Model ? ????

[Flying Saucage]

25 minutes ago, baboon said:

 "I might be wrong, but I think not everyone is as close to China and it's supply-chain of luxury Swiss watches, as Prayut and Prawit, and that it is China who  wants the Thai borders kept close."

 

But why would they (the Chinese government) care if the likes of you or I are in Thailand or not? It isn't like we are a pimple on their bottom let alone a thorn in their side...

I mentioned that several times ago already in other threads. I see 4 political reasons why they keep the country closed:

 

1. It might be part of the Chinese road and belt initiative. The Chinese government expands its power in many countries right now, in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Pakistan and many more. They do it with huge loans for infrastructural projects, which the receiving country never will be able to pay back. This model is old and well known. Think about subs, highspeed trains, and now loans related to Covid. New now is, and the CCP descovered this quickly after the Coronavirus spread, if it was not even planned in advance, that ruining a countries economy means big investment opportunities in it's bankruptcy assets. Given how corrupt the politicians here are, it might be easy to convince them to do this. And, keeping out foreigners means ruining the economy. Many hotels will be owned by Chinese soon.

 

2. The government and the elite do want as few as possible foreign observers in the country while they change its political system into a more medieval one. This point is less related to China, though.
 

3. The government does not only want to please China by making the countries economy a bargain for them (point 1), but also they do not want to have Westerners in the country as observers of this. Also, if you follow the news from China, boosting xenophobia there is quite en-vogue today for the CCP. The Thai government simply follows.

 

4. They want as few as possible foreign observers in the country while they maybe will do a bloody crackdown on the student protests. They did not decide something like this yet, however.

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by Flying Saucage

[PFMills]

He should move his desk to Phuket for a month, Just to test the water

[spidermike007]

Thailand needs courageous leadership. They don't have it. The army are major cowards. ANY person from ANY nation should be welcome starting tomorrow, if they are willing to subject themselves to a 14 day quarantine and pay excessive fees for that two week sentence. There is no downside or risk, and only upside for the nation. No groveling from a local consulate should be required. That is utter nonsense. A covid free letter and a booking at an approved hotel. Period. No more Inane "Phuket or Thailand models". And no special health insurance either. Quarantine is enough of a penalty already. Stop being silly and stop the nonsense. 

 

And they should be begging foreigners who are already here, to stay. Foreigners who overstay their permission to remain in Thailand face fines and even possible jail. Huh? Really? You have got to be kidding. Wait a minute. Have you guys lost your senses? Have you forgotten your people, entirely? 

 

For the more than a hundred thousand tourists that are estimated to still be here on tourism visas, I suggest free unlimited visas, 10,000 baht hotel vouchers, and vouchers for many free, gourmet meals. And an immigration officer will come to your hotel to renew your visa, to show our appreciation, of your continued support. Perhaps half price air tickets for domestic travel.

 

Princely treatment. Thank you so much for helping to rescue our economy and our people. We appreciate it, and aim to show it for a change! We are past the era of thugs like the big joke. And we apologize for all of his abuse. 

Edited September 29, 2020 by spidermike007

[spiekerjozef]

No dirty farang model ?

[Guderian]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

quoted him as saying that the emergency decree - that has been extended to the end of October - was not a political tool but one that helped in curbing the spread of the virus

So he needs a state of emergency to control the virus, yet he sees no contradiction in allowing thousands of foreigners into the country. What is this idiot going to do if the tourists cause a fresh outbreak here, declare martial law? 

[Burma Bill]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket people should not be seen as "lab rats"

What an inconsiderate comment - such an arrogant and rude "concrete mixer"!!!

How about these instead (with respect):-

Edited September 29, 2020 by Burma Bill
additional information

[ThailandRyan]

3 hours ago, Destiny1990 said:

But where will be the Catwalk?

Catwalk, you meant Ratwalk didn't you?  or the Lab Rat Tool Walk.

[3NUMBAS]

dont they know long haul wont get going for 5 0r more years ..its all over for now

[herfiehandbag]

8 hours ago, Flying Saucage said:

There might be people in the elite who are quite tired of losing billions of business and revenue from the countries' isolation, ordered by Prayut and his Chinese friends. I might be wrong, but I think not everyone is as close to China and it's supply-chain of luxury Swiss watches, as Prayut and Prawit, and that it is China who  wants the Thai borders kept close.

 

And not to forget, the Thai elite can buy expensive watches themselves, they don't have to "borrow" them like some army guys. It is the generals who take the bribes, whereas it ususally is the rich elite which pays bribes to boost their businesses. When outsiders take over control of the generals, not all of the elite might be happy.

 

I see this announcement of Anutin carefully positive.

 

I wonder, and have done for a while, whether there is an intense power struggle going on at the very top. It will of course be kept very secret, It will be way above Anutin's pay grade, and even he may not be aware of the details. Big (very big) money, power and influence, all of which will be wielded absolutely ruthlessly. After all, the stakes are about as high as they can get - the total control of a country and it's economy.

Edited September 29, 2020 by herfiehandbag

[Flying Saucage]

1 hour ago, herfiehandbag said:

I wonder, and have done for a while, whether there is an intense power struggle going on at the very top. It will of course be kept very secret, It will be way above Anutin's pay grade, and even he may not be aware of the details. Big (very big) money, power and influence, all of which will be wielded absolutely ruthlessly. After all, the stakes are about as high as they can get - the total control of a country and it's economy.

Yes, surely has been is a struggle going on, and it is surely also way above Prayut and Prawit. Now, I predict, there is more a movement to unify the elite. Anutin is another story than Prayut. Prayuts and Prawits power is dwindling, and they have not much say anymore already. Anutin, Thamanat, the family who owns King Power and some more are closer to the top, and seem to have closer links.

 

One question now is, if these more powerful people are as China-oriented as the Prawit faction. I am not sure about it. But if they are not (yet), this can change quickly, of course. But again: It's the generals who are currupt and who take the watches. The other rich people in the elite are not corrupt in this sense. They can buy the watches themselves. Normally, they are the ones who pay bribes to boost their businesses. So, they are more the "givers" than the "takers". They might not be so happy that the Chinese bought the government. But who knows.

 

Currently there is a unification movement going on among the top-elite. Someone tries and orders to unify the different factions, as together they are stronger to keep the student protests and Move Forward at distance.

 

I mentioned in another thread already that the current turmoil in the Pheu Thai party likely is also related to these unification efforts. Think about that: Thaksin is a member of the elite, and he is still very popular among the people in the North. By inviting him to join the unifying elite, they are stronger together and more able to dry-out the protest movement.

 

Impossible? Not really, as the power struction changed already compared to 2014 or 2016. The hope might be that the masses of people from Isaan will continue to support Thaksin, who then will be welcomed back in the countries elite, and taken away from the street protests.

 

Prayut and Prawit who have been opposing Thaksin very strongly, probably will be told to resign and will be send home soon, and the government will be replaced by a "government of national unity". In fact, this "government of national unity" is very likely the top priority of the elite now.

 

But, such a (civil) governnment only will mean that at the end nothing will change. It's duty is to protect the status quo against the students and against Move Forward.

 

So finally there will be a win-win-lose situation. The elite will win, Thaksin will win and be happy because he can come home, and the people of Thailand will lose.

 

Let's see in the coming four weeks, if this prediction is correct.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2020 by Flying Saucage