General Reports

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457624]I was informed by my friend who lives in Thailand with his wife and family that there is a reason why there is such a low infection rate reported in Thailand. If anyone wants to get a covid test, any clinic or hospital will do it. If it comes back positive, the patient pays nothing. If it comes back negative, the patient pays 5,000 baht.[/QUOTE]And you believe this "friend". This is the dumbest shit that I have ever heard. First of all, most Thai people can just go to a public hospital for 30 baht.

Second, why not just say if your test is negative we will give you 500 baht? They would then stand to earn more by treating all the positive people your friend claims they are missing, than by his dumb explanation of having the negative people pay 5000 baht. I am here. I do not know anybody that has been really sick over the period. And nobody that I know has said that they know somebody that has been really sick. Besides, what good is 5,000 baht going to be to a dead person? These people are over here deathly afraid of catching covid and dying. Funny they are not afraid of having a motorbike accident and dying because they were not wearing a helmet. That has a higher probability than them getting covid.

Third of all, the reason they are starting to make foreigners show up with insurance is because they are putting a strain on the system because they are getting treated when they fall sick, then not able to pay their really expensive bill after a hospital stay of hundreds of thousands and millions of baht. It stands to reason that if a foreigner can get away with this, then certainly a Thai could get away with not paying 5,000 baht for a test.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457624]I was informed by my friend who lives in Thailand with his wife and family that there is a reason why there is such a low infection rate reported in Thailand. If anyone wants to get a covid test, any clinic or hospital will do it. If it comes back positive, the patient pays nothing. If it comes back negative, the patient pays 5,000 baht. So anyone with a reasonable mind will not go for testing if they have only minor symptoms which may or may not be the covid virus. Even those with serious symptoms may chose not to be tested. Therefore, with such a disincentive to be tested, the actual number of covid cases in Thailand will never really be known. The only new cases being reported are those who are returning from foreign countries like Korea or Kuwait as they are tested as they get off the planes in Bangkok.[/QUOTE]It's easy to blame Thailand's lack of testing (which is true) for low numbers of positive cases, but the fact is if there were lot more number of covid patients roaming around un-tested, then their would have been way too many dead bodies to hide. It's Thailand not China, you just can't hide the huge number of dead people from the world.

[QUOTE=Gargano19;2457636]It's easy to blame Thailand's lack of testing (which is true) for low numbers of positive cases, but the fact is if there were lot more number of covid patients roaming around un-tested, then their would have been way too many dead bodies to hide. It's Thailand not China, you just can't hide the huge number of dead people from the world.[/QUOTE]Fact: Of course the numbers are wrong. I don't expect any government in the whole world to be able to put out the exact numbers of infected, unless 100% of the population is tested. And then there is a possibility of them not telling the truth for whatever reason because, well governments lie all the time, just like you, me, and everybody. This is not an opinion, but a fact.

Opinion: I would say the health of most Asian countries is overall better than most Western countries when it comes to recovery from a case of COVID-19. Meaning, I think there is a good number on Thais who are positive and were told to stay at home and recover on your own inside the home. If you are mildly sick, stay at home. They do not have enough beds to to handle an outbreak in a hospital. Also I think those who have died in their homes maybe been attributed to something else, pneumonia or old age or whatever. They don't have the money to do autopsies on everybody.

So what I'm saying is that most Thais who caught it, are very mild to no symptoms just because they are healthier than in the USA. These are not counted. The ones (Thais) that died at home also "some" not counted. If they were foreign and died at home, which happened, they are counted. So that's why the Thais believe they are a healthy destination. Thailand is not Denmark, Finland, New Zealand when it comes to corruption and government transparency. And those in the rural areas and villages are not the brightest ones to offer dissent. This is still a kingdom, just like the movies.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457624]If anyone wants to get a covid test, any clinic or hospital will do it. If it comes back positive, the patient pays nothing. If it comes back negative, the patient pays 5,000 baht.[/QUOTE]Thailand has a set of criteria (such as any one of cough, fever, pneumonia, close contact with known Covid patients) to class people as Patients Under Investigation (PUI). Testing is free for PUI's, whether Thai or Foreign. Since the last identified local transmission of Covid on 25 May approximately 90,000 PUI have been tested (Source: [URL]https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php[/URL]).

Anyone who "wants to get a covid test" (your phrase), as opposed to needs a Covid test, pays (although the charge is waived in the event of a positive). Given the high level of self diagnosis and hypochondria evident in Thailand in normal times (just look at the number of pharmacies, even outside tourist areas) if testing were free for all it would undoubtedly result in a free-for-all which swamped the system, particularly as a negative test is only true for exactly zero hours - you can be infected but the virus load hasn't reached a detectable level yet, as evidenced by the returnees who are negative at the start of quarantine but positive when tested again prior to release from quarantine.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2457625]And you believe this "friend". This is the dumbest shit that I have ever heard. First of all, most Thai people can just go to a public hospital for 30 baht.

Second, why not just say if your test is negative we will give you 500 baht? They would then stand to earn more by treating all the positive people your friend claims they are missing, than by his dumb explanation of having the negative people pay 5000 baht. I am here. I do not know anybody that has been really sick over the period. And nobody that I know has said that they know somebody that has been really sick. Besides, what good is 5,000 baht going to be to a dead person? These people are over here deathly afraid of catching covid and dying. Funny they are not afraid of having a motorbike accident and dying because they were not wearing a helmet. That has a higher probability than them getting covid.

Third of all, the reason they are starting to make foreigners show up with insurance is because they are putting a strain on the system because they are getting treated when they fall sick, then not able to pay their really expensive bill after a hospital stay of hundreds of thousands and millions of baht. It stands to reason that if a foreigner can get away with this, then certainly a Thai could get away with not paying 5,000 baht for a test.[/QUOTE]Considering your lack of real knowledge of the situation that those who reside on a permanent basis and live with normal, every day common people of Thailand, I find your representation that the facts conveyed to me as "dumbest shit" to be rather offensive and rather indicative of your lack of understanding of anything outside of the purchasing cheap sex. I have known my friend for over 40 years and we are both retired executives from financial institutions, so we are not stupid nor state facts that are not true.

What my friend was relating was the fact that the cost of the testing, if not positive, would be prohibitively costly for the normal Thai. The point was the fear of the cost was keeping the number of common Thais being tested very low.

[QUOTE=GettingFedUp;2457643]Thailand has a set of criteria (such as any one of cough, fever, pneumonia, close contact with known Covid patients) to class people as Patients Under Investigation (PUI). Testing is free for PUI's, whether Thai or Foreign. Since the last identified local transmission of Covid on 25 May approximately 90,000 PUI have been tested (Source: [URL]https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php[/URL]).

Anyone who "wants to get a covid test" (your phrase), as opposed to needs a Covid test, pays (although the charge is waived in the event of a positive). Given the high level of self diagnosis and hypochondria evident in Thailand in normal times (just look at the number of pharmacies, even outside tourist areas) if testing were free for all it would undoubtedly result in a free-for-all which swamped the system, particularly as a negative test is only true for exactly zero hours - you can be infected but the virus load hasn't reached a detectable level yet, as evidenced by the returnees who are negative at the start of quarantine but positive when tested again prior to release from quarantine.[/QUOTE]I do not question your statement that those thought to be infected or exposed to the covid virus have been tested at no cost. In many countries, those high risk people and professions have been tested for free in a number of countries. Considering 90,000 tests have been given in Thailand to those PUI must be compared to the size of the total population of Thailand which is 70 million. In that respect, those tested to date represent less than 0. 12 percent of the population of Thailand. My friend's point was that the number of actual infections is really unknown.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457659]I do not question your statement that those thought to be infected or exposed to the covid virus have been tested at no cost. In many countries, those high risk people and professions have been tested for free in a number of countries. Considering 90,000 tests have been given in Thailand to those PUI must be compared to the size of the total population of Thailand which is 70 million. In that respect, those tested to date represent less than 0. 12 percent of the population of Thailand. My friend's point was that the number of actual infections is really unknown.[/QUOTE]True story: I have a Thai acquaintance. Back in May, she came down with symptoms of a cough that progressed to wheezing and a slight fever. She went to the clinic and wanted a COVID test. They told her "no," and go home. They said if it worsened, she could go to the hospital and they may test her. Her symptoms subsided in 5 days. She's fairly fit and only 24 years old. Did she catch COVID-19 and just had mild symptoms? Who knows. I promise you she is not the first, last, or only that was told to do this. However, panic is the worse thing that can happen to any healthcare system that does not have enough doctors, nurses, or beds.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457655]Considering your lack of real knowledge of the situation that those who reside on a permanent basis and live with normal, every day common people of Thailand, I find your representation that the facts conveyed to me as "dumbest shit" to be rather offensive and rather indicative of your lack of understanding of anything outside of the purchasing cheap sex. I have known my friend for over 40 years and we are both retired executives from financial institutions, so we are not stupid nor state facts that are not true.[/QUOTE]Mf I have an advanced business degree, speak 5 languages, and I know how to read and research and critically think as well. Don't think that because I come on this one website, its subject is all my life is about.

So unless you are showing us empirical evidence stating that people are being charged 5,000 baht if their tests are negative, then what I have said carries just as much weight as what "your friend" of 40 years has said. Just because you and your friend can count and do not buy cheap sex has nothing to do with having real knowledge of the situation either. Just show us 1 receipt of the negative person being charged this amount since your friend is privy to all of this highly regarded information from all the common folk of Thailand.

LOL. Like you are the only one that has a friend who resides here on a permanent basis and lives with normal, every day common people. Yep. Pretty much impossible for me or anyone else on this website to have normal friends such as the one you boast of having.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457659]My friend's point was that the number of actual infections is really unknown.[/QUOTE]Well no shit Sherlock. Be sure to thank your friend for the newsflash. This can be said about damn near everything, everywhere! Does god exist? It is really unknown. How many people caught a common cold last year? It is really unknown. How many people are inside of their houses barefoot at the moment? It is really unknown. Get back to us when your friend actually knows something besides that something is unknown. I can't believe you went through all this just to say something is unknown. Most normal people would surmise the information being put out is based on the data that they have gathered or extrapolated, not the data that they have no idea about.

[QUOTE=Rodwint2;2457659]My friend's point was that the number of actual infections is really unknown.[/QUOTE]The number of actual infections is unknown in pretty much every country!

Wikipedia lists tests per million of population for each country (although in Thailand's case was using the figure for PUI's not all tests and is more than a month out of date). Only 7 countries have tested more than 10% of their population. UAE (population 10 million), Bahrain (1. 5 million), Iceland (0. 4 million), Luxembourg (0. 6 million), Malta (0. 5 million), Lithuania (2. 8 million) and Cyprus (1. 2 million). Notice that there are no really big populations involved? Statistically significant mass testing to identify every case is simply impossible.

[QUOTE=GettingFedUp;2457690]The number of actual infections is unknown in pretty much every country!

Wikipedia lists tests per million of population for each country (although in Thailand's case was using the figure for PUI's not all tests and is more than a month out of date). Only 7 countries have tested more than 10% of their population. UAE (population 10 million), Bahrain (1. 5 million), Iceland (0. 4 million), Luxembourg (0. 6 million), Malta (0. 5 million), Lithuania (2. 8 million) and Cyprus (1. 2 million). Notice that there are no really big populations involved? Statistically significant mass testing to identify every case is simply impossible.[/QUOTE]I feel knowing actual numbers of infections and fatalities in any country depends primarily on extent of testing, number of hospitalizations and accuracy and transparency in reporting same. Some are better than others in doing this.

Firstly in Thailand relatively few people have been tested so it stands to reason the reported infection rate is understated. By how many, it's hard to say.

The number of reported deaths from Covid for people who tested positive and were hospitalized I feel is reasonably accurate. However a question arises about deaths where there was no testing either before or posthumously because the person maybe died at home or for one reason or another was never tested at the hospital. Some Covid related deaths are likely to have been missed here.

Overall though there is little doubt in my mind at least that Thailand has handled the pandemic well enough and those of us who lived through it here are fortunate not to have been in countries who fucked big time.

I am not mentioning any names so as not to upset anybody munching on their cornflakes.

I've been visiting Tarntip on 7/1, my straight up massage shop since they reopened earlier in the month.

Normally there are some 15 masseuses on staff there. Now there but 2 and they are lucky to have half a dozen customers come through the door on any given day.

Girls who went home after the shutdown are not yet returning and won't until tourists are allowed back into the country.

I haven't been to the Phrom Phong neighborhood yet but I have a feeling it's a similar story there. A few girls back but little business being transacted.

In a separate post I mentioned how well Thailand has handled the pandemic but they need to reopen the borders soon or they could suffer permanent damage to tourism here.

[URL]https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1933192/thailand-says-china-japan-keen-on-travel-bubbles[/URL]#cxrecs_s.

Reward those who played the game best.

Yep, like I wrote previously. This is their short term strategy going forward. It was the plan since March. We want your money, but you are not one of us.

[URL]https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/no-foreigners-at-wat-pho-bangkok-temple-says-thais-only[/URL]

[URL]https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/transport-company-resumes-service-bans-foreigners[/URL]

[QUOTE=Franciscass;2457710]Girls who went home after the shutdown are not yet returning and won't until tourists are allowed back into the country.[/QUOTE]Totally different scene in Pattaya. There has been an influx of new chicks. In typical Thai fashion they have confused things opening back up with there is money to be made. Some employers have convinced them to come only to be disappointed. On the flip side, others that I know who have stuck it out are now going back home.

Bar owners were hoping to open on the 15th but that was not part of phase 4 as expected. Members of the government kept on saying that phase 4 was the end of the lockdown and then this week the Royal Gazette published changes without including the bars. Once again the lesson is don't believe what the government says until the rules are announced. The bars may open July 1 but again it has to be in the Gazette.