webfact Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Picture: Manager The worst fears of many have come to Koh Chang, the holiday island in Trat on the eastern seaboard. The Songkran holidays meant that tourists - Thai mostly - brought Covid-19. Four hotel staff have tested positive. But they are just the official figures. Manager quoting their sources said that the number is in double figures and the situation on the island is "worrying". Picture: Manager District chief Chatchai Thonglee has ordered an island-wide "big cleaning" operation. He stressed that the island remains open as he fears closure would result in a bad economic impact. For now there is a mask wearing and PR drive encouraging those at risk to quarantine. But the sources said that it was inevitable that the island would be shut down for two to three weeks. Indeed local tourism business leader Saksit Mungkarn was fearing that would be the case. He accepted that was what would likely happen despite the blow of missing out on a four day holiday in early May. Many people in Thailand said it was madness to advocate holiday travel at the Thai new year holidays in mid April. The government did just that now places like Koh Chang are set to pay the penalty. Koh Samet has already been shut to tourism for two weeks from today after cases there too. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-04-27 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Boo Hoo. How sad that a small part of Thailand missed out on domestic tourists during Songkran, Does District chief Chatchai Thonglee not understand that ALL of Thailand is suffering, not just his tiny little empire? Why should his island get a higher priority than anywhere else? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jeffr2 Posted April 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2021 35 minutes ago, billd766 said: Boo Hoo. How sad that a small part of Thailand missed out on domestic tourists during Songkran, Does District chief Chatchai Thonglee not understand that ALL of Thailand is suffering, not just his tiny little empire? Why should his island get a higher priority than anywhere else? I do believe Songkran is what started this. Many of the cases were from people visiting from Bangkok. Koh Kood is also closed. And Samet. And Koh Larn. Samui has a 14 day quarantine now. All due to Songkran. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post canopus1969 Posted April 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2021 The Songkran holidays meant that tourists - Thai mostly - brought Covid-19. Hit it on the head, not just here but everywhere else in Thailand 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardColeman Posted April 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2021 1 hour ago, webfact said: He accepted that was what would likely happen despite the blow of missing out on a four day holiday in early May. sure the officials will add another dozen just as they reopen all the schools ! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MasterBaker Posted April 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2021 they had an option to close island for songkran, but decided to make a buck 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timendres Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Who could have possibly seen this coming? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kaneko86 Posted April 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2021 I have been in koh chang when covid started in Thailand last year and the people there were absolutely going crazy out of fear from everyone who was not an islander. Even local expats there were looked at with suspicion. I am sorry to say but with this mindset of the locals this island really don't desevere to have any tourists at all. Going crazy for a few covid positives. What a joke. And if there is covid in every province I don't actually see the point in shutting down some. Haven't all this lockdowns in Europe proved they aren't working at all? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 4 hours ago, webfact said: Manager quoting their sources said that the number is in double figures and the situation on the island is "worrying" Never mind I'm sure you all enjoyed the Songkran spending spree... hope you saved something for a rainy day.... it's about to p*ss down. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post billd766 Posted April 27, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2021 5 hours ago, Jeffr2 said: I do believe Songkran is what started this. Many of the cases were from people visiting from Bangkok. Koh Kood is also closed. And Samet. And Koh Larn. Samui has a 14 day quarantine now. All due to Songkran. If people were to think about it, there are really only 2 people to blame. PM Prayuth and health minister Anutin. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewsterbudgen Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Richard Barrow now reporting a change of mind: UPDATE: At a meeting this afternoon, it was decided not to close Koh Chang island to tourists. The reasoning is that this time they are more experienced and have faith that strict measures will help contain the virus. So far, eight people on the island have tested positive 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poohy Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 42 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said: The reasoning is that this time they are more experienced this is Thai people we are talking about..........God help us 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffr2 Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 9 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said: Richard Barrow now reporting a change of mind: UPDATE: At a meeting this afternoon, it was decided not to close Koh Chang island to tourists. The reasoning is that this time they are more experienced and have faith that strict measures will help contain the virus. So far, eight people on the island have tested positive Since they are not mass testing, I'd say that number is far higher. It's a small island and not that much is open. A bit scary. But what worries me more is the mandatory covid test. A false positive puts you in the lovely field hospital. At your cost. Not sure I'd want to risk that. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryofcrete Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 both UK and Ireland, my home country , decided Christmas was precious and we had to have a couple of days off from our vigilance . The results were very saddening . It’s not just Thailand that make these blind irrational decisions to drop restrictions to avoid unpopularity at festive times of the year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sametboy2019 Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 (edited) On 4/28/2021 at 6:31 AM, Jeffr2 said: Since they are not mass testing, I'd say that number is far higher. It's a small island and not that much is open. A bit scary. But what worries me more is the mandatory covid test. A false positive puts you in the lovely field hospital. At your cost. Not sure I'd want to risk that. A small island? It's the second biggest after Phuket. I would agree there is much more than being let known. The migrant workers living conditions means the camps are a hot bed. Edited May 1, 2021 by Sametboy2019 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billd766 Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 2 hours ago, Sametboy2019 said: A small island? It's the second biggest after Phuket. I would agree there is much more than being let known. The migrant workers living conditions means the camps are a hot bed. It is still only 217 sq/km with a Population: 8,538 (2019). I live in Kamphaeng Phet province, amphur Klong Lan which has an area of 1,140.2 km2 and a Population: 63,106 (2005). Even the sub district where I live has a larger population Khlong Lan Phatthana คลองลานพัฒนา 21 villages and a population of 23,699. So, yes it is still only a small place yet they are still complaining and wanting more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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