Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=EihTooms;2589968]Yes, that was going to be similar to my response as well. We now have a variant that is estimated to be 1000 times more infectious and virulent than the original with indications of an even more virulent variant coming up right behind it. And it is among the unvaccinated that the virus mutates into the stronger and stronger variants we're seeing. There are millions of Thais who have not been vaccinated and will not likely be vaccinated by circumstance of low supply or by choice well into next year probably, if not longer.[/QUOTE]Yes, the virus will mutate and it may become more deadly, but problem with COVID isn't that it is contagious or deadly, it is a new virus to which no one has immunity. That's what causes it to spread so quickly and cause so many fatalities. But once it has been in the population for a while, and people have acquired some immunity to it (whether from vaccination or from catching the disease and surviving), any outbreak of COVID and its variants will not be as bad and as dangerous as when it first appeared. And that's what matters: the government doesn't care if people have COVID; what they care is if a lot of people all get very sick at the same time and if the medical system will be overwhelmed. The hope is that once the virus burns through the population and / or people get vaccinated, subsequent outbreaks will be mild with not that many people will require hospitalization.

Anyway, I'm not fully wedded to this scenario, and I just want to point out that things may open up faster than others have argued. Time will tell which scenario will play out.

[QUOTE=EihTooms;2589968]The unvaccinated (by choice) are not just putting themselves and their livelihoods at mortal risk. It would be fine with me if that were so. Suicide by pandemic virus? Sad for your surviving family, but I can't stop you. Unfortunately, they are creating conditions that can keep this pattern going on and on all around the planet for a very long time.[/QUOTE]I can't agree with you more.

[QUOTE=CIMguy;2589813]Nope, not happening. The numbers in the UK haven't led to herd immunity. Almost all adults in Israel are immunized with the Pfizer vaccine and they are still getting the delta variant. The Pfizer vaccine is judged to be only about 50% effective there against delta. The vaccines keep people out of the hospital for the most part, but delta still spreads. Unless you get a good vaccine to everyone, there will no herd immunity, and even then it won't really be immunity, it will be safety from dying.[/QUOTE]Yes many western countries were forced to confine due to 3 to 5% of the population being contaminated being enough to bring hospitals down.

Which is why we cannot get herd immunity by just letting everyone get the COVID else the consequences will be a total disaster.

One correction to your post though only 85% of adults in Israel were vaccinated so there are still 15% adults not vaccined + many under 18. Hence why the virus is still circulating there.

[QUOTE=Sinofaguo;2590015]Yes many western countries were forced to confine due to 3 to 5% of the population being contaminated being enough to bring hospitals down.

Which is why we cannot get herd immunity by just letting everyone get the COVID else the consequences will be a total disaster.

One correction to your post though only 85% of adults in Israel were vaccinated so there are still 15% adults not vaccined + many under 18. Hence why the virus is still circulating there.[/QUOTE]The Israelis are saying the vaccine is only 50% effective against delta, so it's not just the unvaccinated spreading it. But I agree they are doing more than their share.

[QUOTE=CIMguy;2590201]The Israelis are saying the vaccine is only 50% effective against delta, so it's not just the unvaccinated spreading it. But I agree they are doing more than their share.[/QUOTE]Depends on what you define as "effective".

Against death, hospitalization: still 88% up, which is great.

The issue for Thailand is that they don't have enough vaccines and barely no mRNA vaccines.

So this round of jabs is just to control it.

Next year we will have vaccines who will be better, possible also help against other diseases (there are trials for a dengue+covid, a yellow fever + covid, etc).

So it might take a while, but the outcome might be great in general.

Suddenly there is money for trials, that were waiting decades.

Both for vaccines and for meds.

It's a bit cynical that we first needed to have a virus that also did attack the Western world before pharma and gov was willing to invest in those.

Saturday the 14th, I have plans to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok originally I was planning to drive I've never been good at driving around Bangkok a few times it has been close to a nightmare. My other option is to take a Van which goes as far as Bang Na then I need to catch a motorbike Taxi to my final destination which from my search isn't too far away not driving this time is due to being alone I'm a bit concern coming back?

I will have to do a bit more on the service of the Vans since they run down Sukhumvit 3 all through Chon Buri then to Bang Na, this requires a lot of stops to pick and drop off locals until the final destination so I would like to get to the final destination as soon as possible between 8-9 am? If I take the Van on a return trip I need to get to Ekaimai which got me thinking although BKK is in dark red is there enough opportunity to walk up Soi 22-24, Tulip for a quickie and hit up my Mexican place but from my quick RTFF recent page it looks bleak and only take out available I read somewhere in BKK that eat in was being allowed?

Oh, the main reason I got a confirmation for my Pfizer shot at the MedPark Hospital my concern although I'm in good health you just never know how my body will react so I don't want to be driving?

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2590466]Saturday the 14th, I have plans to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok originally I was planning to drive I've never been good at driving around Bangkok a few times it has been close to a nightmare. My other option is to take a Van which goes as far as Bang Na then I need to catch a motorbike Taxi to my final destination which from my search isn't too far away not driving this time is due to being alone I'm a bit concern coming back?

I will have to do a bit more on the service of the Vans since they run down Sukhumvit 3 all through Chon Buri then to Bang Na, this requires a lot of stops to pick and drop off locals until the final destination so I would like to get to the final destination as soon as possible between 8-9 am? If I take the Van on a return trip I need to get to Ekaimai which got me thinking although BKK is in dark red is there enough opportunity to walk up Soi 22-24, Tulip for a quickie and hit up my Mexican place but from my quick RTFF recent page it looks bleak and only take out available I read somewhere in BKK that eat in was being allowed?

Oh, the main reason I got a confirmation for my Pfizer shot at the MedPark Hospital my concern although I'm in good health you just never know how my body will react so I don't want to be driving?[/QUOTE]First of all: book a driver.

They will wait until you got your shot.

It's funny, I did go to Pattaya to get my vaccine a month ago.

But keep in mind: chances are slim you will get Pfizer.

Be prepared it's AZ.

I got a reaction 4-5 hours later, 12 hours later they were gone.

Just fever, headache and bit dizzy.

And extremely in need to fuck, which I did.

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2590466]Saturday the 14th, I have plans to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok originally I was planning to drive I've never been good at driving around Bangkok a few times it has been close to a nightmare. My other option is to take a Van which goes as far as Bang Na then I need to catch a motorbike Taxi to my final destination which from my search isn't too far away not driving this time is due to being alone I'm a bit concern coming back?

I will have to do a bit more on the service of the Vans since they run down Sukhumvit 3 all through Chon Buri then to Bang Na, this requires a lot of stops to pick and drop off locals until the final destination so I would like to get to the final destination as soon as possible between 8-9 am? If I take the Van on a return trip I need to get to Ekaimai which got me thinking although BKK is in dark red is there enough opportunity to walk up Soi 22-24, Tulip for a quickie and hit up my Mexican place but from my quick RTFF recent page it looks bleak and only take out available I read somewhere in BKK that eat in was being allowed?

Oh, the main reason I got a confirmation for my Pfizer shot at the MedPark Hospital my concern although I'm in good health you just never know how my body will react so I don't want to be driving?[/QUOTE]I would not recommend an unvaccinated person take a Covid wagon to Bangkok.

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2590466]Saturday the 14th, I have plans to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok originally I was planning to drive I've never been good at driving around Bangkok a few times it has been close to a nightmare. My other option is to take a Van which goes as far as Bang Na then I need to catch a motorbike Taxi to my final destination which from my search isn't too far away not driving this time is due to being alone I'm a bit concern coming back?

I will have to do a bit more on the service of the Vans since they run down Sukhumvit 3 all through Chon Buri then to Bang Na, this requires a lot of stops to pick and drop off locals until the final destination so I would like to get to the final destination as soon as possible between 8-9 am? If I take the Van on a return trip I need to get to Ekaimai which got me thinking although BKK is in dark red is there enough opportunity to walk up Soi 22-24, Tulip for a quickie and hit up my Mexican place but from my quick RTFF recent page it looks bleak and only take out available I read somewhere in BKK that eat in was being allowed?

Oh, the main reason I got a confirmation for my Pfizer shot at the MedPark Hospital my concern although I'm in good health you just never know how my body will react so I don't want to be driving?[/QUOTE]Sinovac only and promises of different (mostly AZ) a month later.

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;2590466]Saturday the 14th, I have plans to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok ....

Oh, the main reason I got a confirmation for my Pfizer shot at the MedPark Hospital?[/QUOTE]Be prepared for disappointment for 2 reasons. First, it's been reported that most of the Pfizer are being reserved for booster shots for hospital workers with direct patient contact. Second, my wealthy Chon Buri lady friend and her influential brother had the AZ scheduled for 2 days ago, but when they arrived the hospital had already used their supply of vaccine. These same people had already paid for the Moderna with expected availability of about November, however they opted for the AZ now instead of possibly getting Moderna in November.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

On a side note, a BKK hospital worker friend received 2 doses of Sinovac about 2-3 months ago. Last week she received a booster of the AZ. Three vaccines for her, zero for most Thais.

[QUOTE=Mens2;2590906]First of all: book a driver.

They will wait until you got your shot.

It's funny, I did go to Pattaya to get my vaccine a month ago.

But keep in mind: chances are slim you will get Pfizer.

Be prepared it's AZ.

I got a reaction 4-5 hours later, 12 hours later they were gone.

Just fever, headache and bit dizzy.

And extremely in need to fuck, which I did.[/QUOTE]I understand your concern thanks I read everything but I'm not to the point of overthinking things, I'm going to do everything I've been doing since the pandemic started that has protected me and my family.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions as I noted I was originally planning to drive but after research, I've decided to take the Van, every driver I've spoken to has already gotten the AZ or Sino such we can have a discussion whether they are effective? That time of the morning and under the current situation they aren't going to be packing those Vans, anyone, here now giving me such concerns while they are hooking up with Freelancers, getting massage happy ending isn't being consistent in their advice plus whether I hired a driver or drive myself by the time I get to the the place from the reports I'm being surrounded with people I have a greater concern catching at the facility that riding a van.

Up to last week, I've not concerned myself with any of the other offers websites and private hospitals because I felt it was just speculation on their part coming from Thais! I've never been in the hurry but have been offered Sino, AZ a number of times. Just last week I was asked if I and my wife by BPH, if we wanted to come in for the AZ I decline but realistic push come to shove I have no problem with it.

This time with an inside track from the Embassy I was told when these specific website come out there will be a high % of getting the Pfizer it actually gave me the choice if I wanted and qualify for the Pfizer. I provided the information to my coffee group two of them went yesterday and two today. I earliest I could go was the 14th, I got my morning report from the two today both over 60, one American one Brit both got the Pfizer although a bit hectic waiting outside but once inside it went fast. There were groups also there that could only get the Sino or AZ from what I'm hearing groups are being divided and shuttle to location for their specific vaccines. The confirmation emails confirm in writing not speculation that I'm to get the Pfizer. Sure this is Thailand shit happens as we know bait and switch right?

At 1 pm today got a call from the second two both Americans in their early 70's both got the Pfizer and on the Van coming back. Personally, I cross my fingers with my luck I get burn I've prepare for it if they present me with the AZ I most likely will say go ahead 79% is better than nothing. Both groups told me they got the paperwork and to return in 3 weeks for the second shot so I will just cross my fingers.

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;2591299]Be prepared for disappointment for 2 reasons. First, it's been reported that most of the Pfizer are being reserved for booster shots for hospital workers with direct patient contact. Second, my wealthy Chon Buri lady friend and her influential brother had the AZ scheduled for 2 days ago, but when they arrived the hospital had already used their supply of vaccine. These same people had already paid for the Moderna with expected availability of about November, however they opted for the AZ now instead of possibly getting Moderna in November.

Good luck. Let us know how it works out.

On a side note, a BKK hospital worker friend received 2 doses of Sinovac about 2-3 months ago. Last week she received a booster of the AZ. Three vaccines for her, zero for most Thais.[/QUOTE]The correct information is the USA Donated 1. 3-5 million doses to the Thai government with some behind the scene diplomacy that they were to allocate 150-200,000 doses for ex-pat not just Americans all ex-pats! Since the announcement lots of chit chat if this was going to happen it has been known since the beginning majority of these doses were to be first given to the Thai front line workers lot of Expat complaining but I have no problem with that theory as long as it doesn't go to their leaders but of course, we all know they will kill their own to get a shot of the Pfizer! Since the arrival, I noticed the Thai leaders have softened their stance on Expat as being dirty a MP interviewed it is Thailand policy to treat everyone equally even the Puppet himself announced they will reserve enough Pfizer doses for foreigners?

I never bother with the upfront payment for the Pfizer or Moderna by the private hospitals because if you read articles it happening was slim and none they are so far behind the timeline for obtaining both it isn't funny there are already rumors and stories that they will soon refund the deposits. It has also been well known due to the Bangkok being the epicenter of the break out all resources particularly with AZ are going there and the second shot is being stretched so more can get the first shot. Things are better today because they received a number of donation 200,000 from the Japanese alone and more coming from England.

In Chon Buri weeks ago they didn't even have the AZ but they did get an allocation I was at BPH last week for some other reason I asked about the vaccine told if I wanted the AZ just go to the back of the parking lot free and I'm just a dirtbag. Reports by the Thai leaders they finally sign the purchased agreement for the Moderna after months of bragging they did it months ago and it should arrive in October the reason the government said they had to get commitments upfront and money since the government agency didn't have enough money to sign and pay for the Moderna when I read that the best I could do was shake my head.

The good news Thailand has since join the Covax program, sooner or later the Thai factory that manufactures the AZ hopefully gets up to speed then you got their top University making their own form of Pfizer and Moderna starting their last phase if lucky that should be out beginning of next year. Sooner or later my saying you can blow smoke for so long and throw darts at the wall something got to stick. I've done my share of bashing the USA Government but if I get the Pfizer on Saturday I'll be waving it as if I won the Gold Medal and singing God bless America. So far I've not heard any reports of those getting confirmation at MedPark Hospital for the Pfizer reporting they haven't " knock on wood "!

"On a side note, a BKK hospital worker friend received 2 doses of Sinovac about 2-3 months ago. Last week she received a booster of the AZ. Three vaccines for her, zero for most Thais. ".

Watching US TV news last night, someone asked a physician a hypothetical question if one had the opportunity to get a third or booster shot in the US, should they avail themselves of that opportunity? The physician said as an ethical question that it's better that third booster shot go overseas to the many countries now that could use every vaccine shot they can get. He also doubted the efficacy of a third booster shot as not enough studies have been done to determine its effectiveness.

So how ironic, that the third booster shot you mentioned goes to someone in Thailand who already has two while the rest of the country languishes behind. Apparently, that moral and ethical dilemma did not register with that BKK hospital worker.

[QUOTE=Tomasb;2591396]So how ironic, that the third booster shot you mentioned goes to someone in Thailand who already has two while the rest of the country languishes behind. Apparently, that moral and ethical dilemma did not register with that BKK hospital worker.[/QUOTE]All her coworkers got the 3rd vaccine. I think it shows that the Thai government and hospital have little to no confidence in the originally administered Sinovac vaccine.

[QUOTE=Tomasb;2591396]"On a side note, a BKK hospital worker friend received 2 doses of Sinovac about 2-3 months ago. Last week she received a booster of the AZ. Three vaccines for her, zero for most Thais. ".

So how ironic, that the third booster shot you mentioned goes to someone in Thailand who already has two while the rest of the country languishes behind. Apparently, that moral and ethical dilemma did not register with that BKK hospital worker.[/QUOTE]No moral or ethical dilemma. What do they advise you on an airplane if the oxygen masks deploy? Affix your mask first, then help others.

SL.