Answered6 years ago
Why are China and Kuwait considered 'low-risk' countries for entry into Thailand during the pandemic?
More dumb stuff. China and Kuwait are somehow "low risk countries."
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Answer summary
The community discusses the categorization of China and Kuwait as 'low-risk' countries for COVID-19 in the context of Thailand's immigration policy. Users express skepticism about the accuracy of this designation due to differing reported case numbers across countries and question the underlying motivations, such as economic benefits from tourism. There are concerns about the feasibility and effectiveness of self-isolation rules enforced prior to travel, with some commenters highlighting the inconsistency of measures like the STV visa which appears to favor affluent tourists.
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Ivan ************
Well China is, they have actually dealt with it. Kuwait no. But the article doesn't say anything about them being low-risk countries, it says "foreigners from China, Myanmar, Japan and Kuwait have reportedly expressed their wish to enter Thailand". Nothing to indicate Kuwait will necessarily be on the list.
Michael *********
How are those protests doing in Thailand and other places throughout the world where there are Thai's
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Michael ********
As of yesterday, they had gain entrance to the Stadium university grounds. In my mind, was crucial or two things, the first as well the middle class and working class back them and at this point it’s not happening. Second point is well the generals roll out the tanks and heavy guns to suppress it, along with other intimidating tactics like mass arrests. 
Cedrik *********
Money talks, bull$hit walks.
Ron ******************
China's infections per million people is 59, Sweden 87xx, UK 57xx, USA 21xxx and Kuwait 23xxx.
Eric *********
Money talks
Jimmy ******
Nothing random. These two nationalities are the highest spenders in Thai, so it makes sense to focus on those two
Mike ********
The only thing missing is that you have to stand on 1 leg, pat your head and rub your chest at the same time.....FFS,wake me up when all this BS stops!
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Rip Van Winkle got nothing on you
Steve *******
I once met a smart, well informed, honest Thai politician. And later that day I shared a cup of coffee with Batman and Pikachu.
Steve *******
I'll add honest to my list
Oliver ********
Abhisit Vejjajiva and Korn Chatikavanij were smart and well informed. They didn't really fit in.
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Haha
Oliver ********
Makes sense for China as they managed one of the lowest covid death counts per population in the world (as with most of Asia). Kuwait has done a lot better than Europe and America, but not sure it's "low-risk"...
****************************************************
Rick *******
TOTALLY INACCURATE NUMBERS!!!
Rick *******
Again, low risk is being determined by REPORTED number of cases. If you don't test the entire population all at the same time, there is no way to accurately know how many cases the country has. Some Asian countries are testing only a small number of their citizens and only reporting documented cases (Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and others). Some countries are falsely reporting numbers (China). Some countries are creating cases due to monetary gain (America). Unfortunately, the "low risk and high risk" countries are a product of totally inaccurate reporting of case numbers which is completely inaccurate. How can anyone truthfully report accurate numbers unless they test the entire population? I realized the inaccuracies from the beginning, but everyone seems to be OK with using inaccurate case numbers. I give up...
Oliver ********
@Rick ******
what matters is death count. For Asian countries to be on the same level as Europe in terms of death per population they would have needed to hide millions of dead bodies in secret mass graves, which is simply not what happened. Obviously there are inaccuracies in measurement in every country but most Western countries are at +500 covid deaths per million, compared to <10 covid deaths per million in most Asian countries (<1 in Thailand). That difference is NOT because of differences in data collection methodology.Oliver ********
@Edward *******
yes very true. covid-19 prefers individualism to collectivism.เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver *******
Reasons for compliance are also cultural. Where countries are largely homogeneous there is respect for others because of identification with them. Oliver ********
@Edward *******
in Thailand the total number of deaths went down ********************************************
*****
36 so deaths being misrecorded is not the main point. the real story is that asian countries reacted quickly, closed their borders, enforced mask wearing, and hand sanitizing (and temperature checks everywhere so people who felt unwell had no choice but to stay home) and all of those things together worked well. in western countries, they did the opposite with the opposite results.เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver *******
Basically I agree with you, although there are most likely more deaths in Thailand than reported as many of the old died at home and were never tested, if it was a huge number that would have eventually have come out. Many of the countries that kept their counts down were successful at locking their borders (island or island-like - Korea) and were financially well enough off that they could keep socially distanced, unlike countries where people are crammed together. IMHORick *******
Are they using death count for "high risk, low risk?" Those numbers are totally INACCURATE as well. Deaths in third world countries go undocumented every day. Nobody bothers checking if the person dies from Covid-19 or something completely different. In European countries and the US, the cause is usually known. The US has also been putting the cause of death as Covid-19 even though a person never had the virus. This inflation increases the case numbers beyond what is actual for monetary gain. Am I the only one getting all this?
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Wouldn't you consider South Korea low risk?
Oliver ********
@Edward *******
Absolutely. Covid-19 never became a big thing in any East Asian countries, in complete contrast to Europe and America. The Middle East is somewhere in-between.Oliver ********
@Edward *******
IF there ever actually is a travel bubble scheme, like the one suggested in the article, I'm sure Korea will be near the top of the list.เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Oliver *******
I know. I've been in Korea most of the last 5 months and feel very safe here. But the list of approved countries I saw considered low-risk and OK for the STV did not include Korea. 
Garrett ***********
OP@Oli***
Yeah ok...เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Just when I thought they couldn't come out with anything more stupid, they manage to surprise me- 14 day quarantine in home country. This guy,
Dr Chakrarat Pittayawonganon, if he is really a psychiatrist....I think its time for me turn in my license.
Dr Chakrarat Pittayawonganon, if he is really a psychiatrist....I think its time for me turn in my license.
Dave ***********
"Dr Chakrarat Pittayawonganon, director of the Bureau of Mental Health Strategy"
Sounds like more random talk from people that probably arent making the decisions and probably arent authorized to be making official comments about what the procedures will be.
How many of these comments did we hear about the many different versions of the "travel bubbles", "safe and sealed", "phuket model", etc, etc, etc?
Sounds like more random talk from people that probably arent making the decisions and probably arent authorized to be making official comments about what the procedures will be.
How many of these comments did we hear about the many different versions of the "travel bubbles", "safe and sealed", "phuket model", etc, etc, etc?
เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Thailand is just looking for a backdoor way to get its "benefactors" in. It sees the future and knows where the money is.
Marguyvin **********
@Edward *******
China
Ron *******
It's simply part of the measures recommended to apply for this new STV. It doesn't mean you won't be going to quarantine in Thailand.
This new STV isn't meant for westerners.
This new STV isn't meant for westerners.
Brahim ******
Deal with it
William ********
Yes, it beggars belief but shows the power of money and influence.
Marguyvin **********
Scratch "low risk". Replace with "risk is profit-worthy". 😉
Michael ********
How the hell are they supposed to keep record of self isolating and keeping away from crowded places to weeks prior to flying. Mind boggles who comes up with these rules
Oliver ********
Don't forget many countries have basically no formal quarantine system. The UK for example has had completely open borders throughout the pandemic. Even arrivals from countries considered high risk just have to fill out a form promising to stay home (unless they need to go outside) and not to use public transport (unless they don't have a car).
Paul *******
@Oliver *******
Hasn't the UK become stricter now though? We're talking 14 days self-quarantine at home, but still...they're supposed to have the ability to track you.Paul *******
@Edward *******
I seeเอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@Paul ******
No enforcement yet, maybe soonOliver ********
@Paul ******
nope. no tracking and there are still exemptions if you need to go outside you can and you can even use public transport if you don't have a car. most arrivals, even from the most high-risk countries, just go downstairs and jump on the tube to central london.Michael ********
@Oliver *******
yes my son was shocked when he went back to UK he came to Singapore in April and had to do two weeks strict stay home notice.(jail locals deport foriegners) and nothing when he went back to UK in JulyOliver ********
China and South Korea have the technology to track this so if Thailand cooperates with them it could work. For other countries it's impossible.
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