Opening Thailand: PM pushing ahead with "Phuket Model" and expresses regret about Sinovac cases

[webfact]

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported on the comments of Thai Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaking in Bang Jork district of Bangkok yesterday.

 

He said that his government was pressing ahead with the so-called Phuket Model to open the country to foreign tourist arrivals. 

 

He mentioned something called "Chain Block" in this regard that was not explained.

 

Things were getting ready and now 20%  had received vaccine and 60% would follow suit soon. It was not clear what he was referring to here, something about the provinces.

 

He claimed there was lots of time to get things ready but that vaccination was the key and readiness a priority.

 

"We can't just open the country blindly," he said. "It has to be done safely then tourists will come back and make Thailand popular again".

 

He then referenced a common "Big Too" theme calling on people not to argue lest problems could not be solved. 

 

Regarding the six cases of temporary paralysis in patients who had Sinovac jabs he expressed his sadness but told the media that there is always a risk and that the health authorities would handle matters.

 

Meanwhile Manager reported from Phuket that the main concern there was how much vaccine is available and when.

 

There is still a feeling there that the province can be opened on July 1st despite the third wave of coronavirus that has swept Thailand. 

 

Picture: Manager

 

They reported that domestic tourism - even four million Thais visiting - was not enough to keep the island's economy rosy and everyone wanted to see foreign tourists back there as soon as possible.

 

Some people used to large incomes were now trying to live off 1,900 baht a month, they suggested.

 

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[bluesofa]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

Regarding the six cases of temporary paralysis in patients who had Sinovac jabs he expressed his sadness but told the media that there is always a risk and that the health authorities would handle matters.

I'm surprised he didn't go and spray them with antiseptic hand-spray, the same as he does to journalists.

[SiamRead]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

He mentioned something called "Chain Block" in this regard that was not explained

Does he mean that he will use "Chain to Block" the virus  ????

[John Drake]

33 minutes ago, webfact said:

There is still a feeling there that the province can be opened on July 1st despite the third wave of coronavirus that has swept Thailand. 

 

Only if you redirect the vaccine from where it is needed to Phuket.

[gunderhill]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

everyone wanted to see foreign tourists back there as soon as possible.

Why not charge them 500 baht for a  compulsory  test, why not  5000, that  will  have them flocking back or  maybe flocking off.

[gunderhill]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

calling on people not to argue lest problems could not be solved. 

All hail the Emperor.

[Pattaya Spotter]

I drove past a sign-posted Covid-19 vaccine administration site in Karon Beach, Phuket, today. I don't know what the requirements were to get the jab...needless to say I didn't stop. 

[RichardColeman]

I'm not sure if he is saying "Feel The power", or singing along to the Spice Girls ! 

[ParkerN]

Just now, RichardColeman said:

I'm not sure if he is saying "Feel The power", or singing along to the Spice Girls ! 

 

I can tell you what he's not saying, will that help?

[Valentine]

2 hours ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I drove past a sign-posted Covid-19 vaccine administration site in Karon Beach, Phuket, today. I don't know what the requirements were to get the jab...needless to say I didn't stop. 

They are opening up for those to receive 2nd jab

[Jimbo2014]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

He claimed there was lots of time to get things ready but that vaccination was the key and readiness a priority.

 

Incoherent sentence of the year award.  ???? 

[boogiewoogie]

Just open a damn country and stock ur self with  airport express tests. Jack up insurances so they can can cover covid related issues.

Everyone who's coming with antibodies and jabs are good to go. People with covid in progress are going in mandatory observations free of charge.

 

Easy as 1-2-3

[kingofthemountain]

14 minutes ago, boogiewoogie said:

Just open a damn country and stock ur self with  airport express tests. Jack up insurances so they can can cover covid related issues.

Everyone who's coming with antibodies and jabs are good to go. People with covid in progress are going in mandatory observations free of charge.

 

Easy as 1-2-3

You must be new in the country?

[bluesofa]

38 minutes ago, Jimbo2014 said:

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He claimed there was lots of time to get things ready but that vaccination was the key and readiness a priority.

Incoherent sentence of the year award.  ???? 

Talking of 'sentence' - I'd give him life without the chance of parole.

[Cake Monster]

In order to open Phuket for Tourists there will have to be a minimum 70% full Vaccination of the entire population on the Island.

Phuket has 660,000 " Residents ", and numerous other people staying and living on the Island.

Therefore a Vaccination of 2 Doses each to about 550,000 people will be needed.

These are Vaccines that Thailand does not have, and are only under " negotiation " for procurement.

Despite all of this, tourists will still not come to Phuket in any numbers due to a period of Quarantine, and then they will be basically held prisoner on the Island due to lack of vaccination Nationwide across Thailand, and not allowed to see any more of the Country.

That is of course if they are allowed to Vacation in Phuket by their respective Governments, who may yet place Thailand under a Red Flag for lack of Vaccination, and case load transparency..

 

[mrfill]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

I'm not sure if he is saying "Feel The power", or singing along to the Spice Girls ! 

More like 'Talk to the hand as the head isn't listening' ....

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that his government was pressing ahead with the so-called Phuket Model to open the country to foreign tourist arrivals. 

Who in gods name is going to come to a largely unvaccinated country, apart from those who have family etc here and need to come.

 

[kingofthemountain]

33 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

In order to open Phuket for Tourists there will have to be a minimum 70% full Vaccination of the entire population on the Island.

And this numbers are with a vaccine having an efficiency cover rate of 70-90%

the latest studies show an efficiency cover rate of 50% for the Sinovac, which is 

so far mainly the vaccine used in Thailand

[Cake Monster]

1 minute ago, kingofthemountain said:

And this numbers are with a vaccine having an efficiency cover rate of 70-90%

the latest studies show an efficiency cover rate of 50% for the Sinovac, which is 

so far mainly the vaccine used in Thailand

NO

Sinovac is only 50 % efficient

70 % full vaccination is required to achieve a Herd Immunity.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, boogiewoogie said:

Just open a damn country and stock ur self with  airport express tests. Jack up insurances so they can can cover covid related issues.

Everyone who's coming with antibodies and jabs are good to go. People with covid in progress are going in mandatory observations free of charge.

 

Easy as 1-2-3

Matches some peoples IQ level

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

six cases of temporary paralysis in patients who had Sinovac jabs he expressed his sadness

 I wonder if he issued a complaint to the vaccine manufacturer - I bet not!!!

[kingofthemountain]

22 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

NO

Sinovac is only 50 % efficient

70 % full vaccination is required to achieve a Herd Immunity.

Yes that's exactly what i was writing about the Sinovac

 

About the famous herd immunity, afaik so far there is no any country

in the world having rushing this point, Even Israel, one of the countries

with the highest rate of vaccination, is very far from the 70%

 

And the new strains are still the big question

[Cake Monster]

1 minute ago, kingofthemountain said:

Yes that's exactly what i was writing about the Sinovac

 

About the famous herd immunity, afaik so far there is no any country

in the world having rushing this point, Even Israel, one of the countries

with the highest rate of vaccination, is very far from the 70%

 

And the new strains are still the big question

Misunderstood you in your post.

And as far as some of the newer Variants such as " Brazilian " , " South African " and the new baddy they say is coming out of India, if Thailand becomes infected with those, then they are done for , as they seem to be unable to cope with the One Variant that has been located in the Country so far

[rabas]

"Efficacy?", asked Prayut.

 

"Should be OK." answered concrete and rebar expert Anutin, the Health Minister.

 

[Elkski]

In simple terms I want foreigners money or I am beholden to all my rich friends who own Phuket tourist hotels and I don't care about old people.  In fact it will leave more money in the pot to divy up if we don't need to pay so many old age pensions. 

[Deli]

1 hour ago, rabas said:

answered concrete and rebar expert Anutin,

and poured the concrete into the deep water

[MrJ2U]

What about the"Head of the medical department", that idiot Anutin?

 

He apologizing for having him in charge of anything.

[bangon04]

"Some people used to large incomes were now trying to live off 1,900 baht a month, they suggested."

 

yes that is a big drop in Phuket - down from 1900 baht per night....

[Fex Bluse]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

They reported that domestic tourism - even four million Thais visiting - was not enough to keep the island's economy rosy and everyone wanted to see foreign tourists back there as soon as possible.

 

@sandyf oh no! I guess they think the Thai Domestic Tourism is not enough. 

 

[Fex Bluse]

There will be no herd immunity. Look at India for example. Virus keeps mutating. Vaccinated and recoverd people keep getting reinfected. This will go on for a decade. Get tucked in. Going to be a long ride.