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I’d hold off making plans for Songkran because of the government’s lack of a clear policy regarding possible quarantine on.arrival. Maybe it will gets It’s act together soon but until then it’s a crapshoot. But if you can tolerate the uncertainty then you’ll find the town business as usual. Since you’d be coming with you boyfriend, I assume you wouldn’t be looking to do a lot of offing anyway.

I suppose it’s all relative to your home country experience. At my age, 70 is my comfort level. When I want to faster I fly to Bangkok.

When everyone is in charge no one is in charge. TIT

Painfully slow traffic? Major highways are 70 mph. Yes, motorways have fewer total deaths but that’s because you don’t have pedestrians crossing streets to deal with. Motorways are limited access roads. It’s not the speed factor that’s responsible.

Various government agencies have issued conflicting information to in-bound travelers this week that could affect their arrival status. These involve flight origin and transit locations. If booking flights to Thailand, it seems prudent that we fully understand the implications of the latest statement. Having to self quarantine for two weeks if your traveling through any of the evolving list of locations (even as a transit only passenger) could take two weeks out of your trip. If there was ever a time to purchase flexible tickets, or those that can be changed and/or cancelled at reasonable cost, this is that time because there is no way to know —at least at the moment—what your status will be on the day of arrival. If we’re lucky and this scourge is behind us in a few months, none of this will hopefully remain in effect. But considering the uncertainty (and constant “breaking news” coverage) it seems wise to give it its due. From Bangkok Post Tuesday: Thailand threw possibly tens of thousands of holiday plans into confusion after Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered any new arrivals from nine countries and two territories to undergo quarantine for the coronavirus, before swiftly reversing the decision. Mr Anutin posted an announcement Tuesday saying travellers from affected countries would be subjected to a 14-day quarantine "without exceptions". The countries were China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Singapore, Italy, Iran and Taiwan. Hong Kong and Macau were also included on the list. The post was removed hours later, and his official Facebook page was taken down. Mr Anutin's apparent moment of indecision — which raised concern on Twitter among Thais and foreign travellers — was played down Wednesday by Public Health Ministry spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin. From Bangkok Post today: The government has defined four countries and two territories as dangerous zones and restrictions may follow to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus. The announcement, dated Monday and published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday, classified South Korea, China, Macao, Hong Kong, Italy and Iran as "dangerous communicable disease areas". The move came as the Thai postal service began disinfecting all packages received from overseas, although the World Health Organization has said it is safe to receive post from badly affected countries such as China. No quarantine measure has been officially announced, but Public Health Ministry spokesman Rungrueng Kitphati told Reuters on Thursday it would come into effect on Friday. "Thais and foreigners who came from these places would have to go through self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel room, where they have to report themselves to the authorities every day or officials will come to check on them," Dr Rungrueng said. This means that all arrivals from these places, including those that transit through them, will have to provide the authorities with their addresses and travel plans and be self-quarantined for 14 days.

From Coconuts Bangkok How ‘salim’ went from Thai dessert to fashionable insult “You are salim!” the man hissed, with something between a sneer and smile. The target of this slander? An old schoolmate who, six years ago, was among those painting Thai flags on their cheeks and denouncing the democratically elected government to all their Instagram followers. The schoolmate wasn’t the only one with military lineage and an I’m-important “Na Ayudhaya” tacked onto their name at the recent hi-so wedding. Like most of the 30-somethings there, he’s unhappy with how things have turned out six years after they helped engineer a coup by blowing whistles and “shutting down” Bangkok. But he was also unhappy to be called “salim,” even in jest, a term which online and off has become the go-to insult: an ultraconservative/ultraroyalist. The term has been around for awhile but has become hot slander since molten rage erupted among those who’d pinned hope on a progressive political party disbanded two weeks ago. What is salim? Salim is a dessert made from mung bean noodles served in a bowl of coconut milk, syrup and crushed ice. Importantly, salim comes in many colors, and its journey from sweet to sobriquet begins with the color-coded political fracture following the 2006 coup. For just over a decade, the populace was divided between Redshirts and Yellowshirts. Though they defy easy demographic shorthand, the Reds rallied behind ousted populist PM Thaksin Shinawatra and were generally more pro-democratic. Continues at https://coconuts.co/bangkok/features/explainer-how-salim-went-from-thai-dessert-to-fashionable-insult/

From Khaosod English ARRESTED VENDOR SAYS SHE SELLS 200,000 REUSED MASKS SARABURI — The owner of a shop in Saraburi province where workers were caught repackaging and reselling used face masks were charged with fraud, police said Wednesday. Saraburi police chief Chaiwat Aranwat said shop’s owner Jintana Manwichai, 47, confessed that she had sold up to 200,000 pieces of recycled masks at the price of three baht each on Facebook. She and her accomplices were charged with selling falsely labeled goods and frauds, Maj. Gen. Chaiwat said. They were also charged with selling antiques without a license; second hand materials count as antiques under Thai laws. Police said the suspects will be brought to a court today for a remand hearing. Head of Medical Services Department Somsak Akkslip told Thairath sharing face masks with others is extremely unhygienic. The incident came a day before the government took full control of the distribution of face masks in the country. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/03/04/arrested-vendor-says-she-sells-200000-reused-masks/

The public is now being advised to only wear face masks if they are (1) caring for someone believed to have the virus or (2) If you are coughing or sneezing. The graphic below appears in an article that also describes the Thai government’s new investigation into the availability of masks in the country. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1871804/mask-shortage-sparks-supply-chain-

Comparative risk per 100,000 population: number of cases South Korea. 9.39 China. 6.02 Italy. 3.36 Singapore 1.86 Taiwan 1.74 Hong Kong. 1.38 Iran 1.18 Random others: France 0.29 Japan 0.21 Germany 0.18 Malaysia 0.11 Thailand 0.06 United States 0.02 Vietnam 0.02

Risk is usually represented by incidence per 100,000 population Assessing risk by number of cases or number of deaths is an irregular measurement for purpose of relative comparison In any case, why not make a list of top 9 instead of top 10?

Aside from common sense, probably not.

From CNN The surgeon general wants Americans to stop buying face masks The United States' top doctor has one simple request: Stop buying face masks. US Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams' message, posted to Twitter on Saturday, was a response to face mask shortages as people stocked up due to coronavirus concerns. "Seriously people," he began, and though it's a tweet, you can almost hear the exasperation in his plea. "STOP BUYING MASKS!" They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can't get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!" he continued. Washing your hands, staying home when sick and other "everyday preventive actions" are the best protections, Adams said. He urged people to get a flu shot, as fewer flu patients means more resources to fight the coronavirus. The tweet comes during what has become a mask boom. With coronavirus popping up in the United States, some have begun buying face masks as a form of protection, despite the likes of the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventionand Vice President Mike Pence saying they're unnecessary. And, like Adams points out, if these masks run out, they won't be available to the medical professionals who are at the highest risk for disease transmission. Dr. William Schaffner, a preventive medicine professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told CNN the rush to buy masks is a "psychological thing." "The coronavirus is coming, and we feel rather helpless," he said Saturday. "By getting masks and wearing them, we move the locus of control somewhat to ourselves." Meanwhile, stores across the country have run out of masks. As for online shipments, many orders have been pushed back. The CDC recommends the following to prevent the spread of any respiratory disease: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Stay home from school or work when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/29/health/face-masks-coronavirus-surgeon-general-trnd/index.html

Here’s what Khor Tose said above: “BS then and now. Now you get to come back on and troll away, and produce all kinds of things as "proof", and I am positive enough idiots of this site will defend you and damn me for calling a fake a fake. You are definitely on the right board. Troll away and good luck. KT out.“ That surely qualifies as offensive and derogatory over-generalizations on Khor Tose’s part. You seem to be advocating for one standard to be applied to OP’s posts and a different one to Khor Tose posts.

Babe was to Moonlight what Mekhin was to Tawan. Devotees will always associate these superstars with these bars long after they’ve moved on.

Khor Tose Gender:Male Location:Seattle/Chiang Mai Interests:Married to a Thai-together for 10+_ years as of 09/2019 So your decade long marriage to a Thai has worked out well for you. By your reasoning, however, this guy Schuft (who desires the same thing) has to be a fraud of the first order? You’ve had a hard on for this guy going on three years. What’s up with that?

From Bangkok Post Vendor nabbed for overpriced masks A vendor was arrested on Friday for selling face masks at an inflated price during a check on shops in the Government Complex after authorities received complaints. The vendor, identified only as Maneerat, was charged with violating price-control regulations. Face masks and hand-sanitising gel were categorised as specially controlled goods after demand skyrocketed amid fears of the Covid-19 outbreak. Ms Maneerat, who reportedly sold a pack of five masks at 100 baht, may face a jail term of seven years and/or a fine of up to 140,000 baht. The suspect admitted to selling packs at 100 baht each, but said the cost price was high and she could not sell them for any less. Not far from her shop, people were queuing up outside a Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) shop, where packs of 10 masks were sold at 10 baht each. The sale is limited to one pack per person, and the stock is sold out in minutes. Whichai Phochanakij, director-general of the Internal Trade Department, said the department will soon sell face mask packs of four at 10 baht each via convenience stores nationwide. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1868049/vendor-nabbed-for-overpriced-masks

For those of us stupid enough to check our investment holdings the past few days, the pain is almost everywhere. But we might take heart in the history of recovery times from corrections and bear market setbacks from the past. All good things to those who wait. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/27/heres-how-long-stock-market-corrections-last-and-how-bad-they-can-get.html

PeterRS said: But I certainly wouldnt be relying on any advice or quotes made here. Do your own research and make up your own mind. Its your life, after all. In fact, I think this thread can end up being misleading. I suggest it is closed. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- I believe it’s by reading differing points of view that we can better arrive at an informed opinion. Precluding opposing views limits our options. From BBC Science Focus How long can a virus live outside a body? It's enough to make you sick! Viruses can be stubborn little blighters to get rid of. Viruses can live for a surprisingly long time outside of a body, depending on conditions such as moisture and temperature. They tend to live longer on water-resistant surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastics. A cold virus can sometimes survive on indoor surfaces for several days, although its ability to cause infection drops dramatically over time. Flu viruses can survive in the air for several hours, especially at lower temperatures, and on hard surfaces they can survive and remain infectious for 24 hours. Enteric viruses, such as norovirus (pictured) and hepatitis A, can survive for weeks on a surface if conditions are suitable. The norovirus is known for causing sickness outbreaks in schools, cruise ships and hospitals. https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-long-can-a-virus-live-outside-a-body/

From Bloomberg News How to Avoid Coronavirus on Flights: Forget Masks, Says Top Airline Doctor Forget face masks and rubber gloves. The best way to avoid the coronavirus is frequent hand washing, according to a medical adviser to the world’s airlines. The virus can’t survive long on seats or armrests, so physical contact with another person carries the greatest risk of infection on a flight, said David Powell, a physician and medical adviser to the International Air Transport Association. Masks and gloves do a better job of spreading bugs than stopping them, he said. As concern mounts about the scale of the outbreak, carriers from United Airlines Holdings Inc. to Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. have scrapped thousands of flights to China. Here is an edited transcript from an interview with Powell. IATArepresents about 290 airlines and more than 80% of global air traffic. Q: Is there a risk of becoming contaminated with the virus on a plane? A: The risk of catching a serious viral infection on an aircraft is low. The air supply to a modern airliner is very different from a movie theater or an office building. The air is a combination of fresh air and recirculated air, about half each. The recirculated air goes through filters of the exact same type that we use in surgical operating theaters. That supplied air is guaranteed to be 99.97% (or better) free of viruses and other particles. So the risk, if there is one, does not come from the supplied air. It comes from other people. Q: What are the chances of getting the virus by touching the seats, armrest or any of the objects on a plane? A: Viruses and other microbes like to live on living surfaces like us. Just shaking hands with somebody will be a greater risk by far than some dry surface that has no biological material on it. The survival of viruses on surfaces isn’t great, so it’s believed that normal cleaning, and then the extra cleaning in the event that someone was discovered to be contagious, is the appropriate procedure. Will people stop getting together inside an airplane? I would respond by asking: Will I stop going to the movies, or sports games, or concerts or conferences? I don’t think so. Q: What’s important if you are on a plane to ensure you don’t get infected? A: Hand hygiene -- because contrary to what people think, the hands are the way that these viruses most efficiently spread. Top of the list is frequent hand washing, hand sanitizing, or both. Avoid touching your face. If you cough or sneeze, it’s important to cover your face with a sleeve. Better yet, a tissue to be disposed of carefully, and then sanitizing the hands afterward. Washing your hands and drying them is the best procedure. When that’s not easy to do, alcohol-based sanitizer is a good second-best. Q: Does wearing masks and gloves help prevent infections? A: First of all, masks. There’s very limited evidence of benefit, if any, in a casual situation. Masks are useful for those who are unwell to protect other people from them. But wearing a mask all the time will be ineffective. It will allow viruses to be transmitted around it, through it and worse still, if it becomes moist it will encourage the growth of viruses and bacteria. Gloves are probably even worse, because people put on gloves and then touch everything they would have touched with their hands. So it just becomes another way of transferring micro-organisms. And inside the gloves, your hands get hot and sweaty, which is a really good environment for microbes to grow. Continues at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-06/want-to-avoid-virus-forget-face-masks-top-airline-doctor-says

From South China Morning Post NGOs striving to clear Cambodia’s minefields are giving opportunities to local men and women, including landmine survivors and female labourers Six years ago, Soy Kossal stepped on a landmine as he walked along a well-trodden path to his fields in Battambang province in northwestern Cambodia. The force blew off his right leg, leaving the 28-year-old part-time carpenter a cripple, with no immediate hope of being able to support his wife and family. His tale is all the more tragic because it was an occurrence so regular as to be almost unremarkable in Cambodia. “I was so depressed. I was ashamed and isolated myself from everyone. I didn’t want to live. People were telling my wife she should get a divorce,” says Soy Kossal. Luckily his wife, Kolab, paid no heed to the doomsayers, helped him to overcome the trauma and encouraged him to seek other employment. Furnished with a prosthetic, Soy Kassal found a job as a deminer with a charity, and promptly took on a new lease of life. ”It took me a long time to cope with the emotional struggle,” he says. “I knew I had to continue to support my family, but at the same time I didn’t want other people to suffer the same fate that I did. I want to clear all the mines in the country, every single one.” Soy Kossal is one of thousands of innocent victims – estimated at 64,000 – who have fallen foul of unexploded ordnance (UXO), a hideous legacy of the conflict that ravaged Cambodia late last century. There’s now a hospital in Battambang that treats anyone injured by UXO for free – though there’s no shortage of victims lining up for service. One of the biggest minefields in the world – a 500-metre (1,600-foot) wide strip dubbed K5 that was laid in a fruitless attempt to forestall Khmer Rouge guerillas – runs for 800km (500 miles) along the Thai-Cambodian border. Continues with photos and video https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/3052284/why-job-clearing-cambodias-landmines-giving-locals-chance-improve-their

Ask any waiter at Freshboys. They seem to know what everyone does.....including the punters.

Quite sobering prediction: Lipsitch predicts that within the coming year, some 40 to 70 percent of people around the world will be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. But, he clarifies emphatically, this does not mean that all will have severe illnesses. “It’s likely that many will have mild disease, or may be asymptomatic,” he said. As with influenza, which is often life-threatening to people with chronic health conditions and of older age, most cases pass without medical care. (Overall, about 14 percent of people with influenza have no symptoms.)

When seeking information on how infrared non-contact thermometers work for post above, I read much technical data on the accuracy of readings which can vary with training and experience of user and calibration of device. They are a tool to help identify people who could—or could not— have a fever. But they are not the the basis for diagnosis. If someone has been out in the sun it’s understood that their skin surface temperature is going to be elevated, as Anddy points out. Read that Israel has been so dissatisfied with results of temperature screening at airports that it no longer relies on it. They rely more q and a interview. =============================================== from Reuters Thailand reports three new virus cases, urges disclosure of travel history BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand reported three new cases of a coronavirus on Wednesday, taking total infections to 40, health ministry officials said, criticizing patients for not disclosing their travel history. Two of the new patients, all of whom were Thai nationals, had returned from vacation in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido and came into contact with the third patient, an 8-year old boy, said Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary at the ministry. The male patient had not disclosed his travel history when he first sought medical attention and risked becoming a super-spreader, an incident of large transmission from a single source, health minister Anutin Charnvirakul said. “We have to criticize this case ... it creates a lot of trouble for us,” Anutin said. The patient came to the hospital on Feb. 23, but did not disclose his travel history until the next day, B Care Medical Center said in a statement. The patient came into contact with 30 medical personnel at the hospital, who later tested negative for the virus and are in self-quarantine at home, the statement said. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-thailand-idUSKCN20K0NL

From South China Morning Post Japanese-Korean duo on success and same-sex relationships They strut their stuff during fashion week, are DJs and are always willing to strike a pose in the latest eye-catching trends for Japan’s oshare snappu street photographers, but you don’t have to scratch the surface too hard to discover that Taiki Takahashi and Noah Lee are far more down-to-earth than their public personae might suggest. In many ways, the duo are almost humble about their rise to influencer fame, honest about their ambitions to help others and fiercely protective of their relationship. Given that they come from countries that still have a tendency to look askance at same-sex relationships, perhaps that honesty about their love for one another is one of their biggest achievements to date. continues with photos https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-beauty/article/3052034/fashion-models-influencers-lovers-japanese-korean-duo

Every time I see the infrared devices in contact with the skin I cringe. Not only does the opportunity for cross contamination exist, it’s contrary to recommended practice. The following is excerpted from “Non-Contact Thermometers for Detecting Fever: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness” issued by the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. ”non contact thermometers are to be held 15 cm (6 in) away from the patient” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK263237/