I found a solution to my visa problem. Dr. Suwit, the Thai representative to a World Health Organisation meeting in Geneva on the bird flu situation, has said that Thailand should hold Western tourists hostage in case of a human outbreak.
This is to make sure Western countries send vaccines to the Thai population. The Americans (who make vaccines and who are used to being held hostage in various countries) found Dr. Suwit’s comments to be in poor taste.
But I like this idea. If I can get a one year bird flu visa and a suite at The Oriental I have no complaints.
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Here is a piece from the Wall Street Journal
Time for a Thai Apology
March 13, 2007
It turns out we’re not the only ones concerned about Thailand’s radical statements in the halls of the World Health Organization. The U.S. government has now lodged a formal protest with Bangkok, requesting an apology for Dr. Suwit Wibulpolprasert’s call to seize foreign nationals in the event of an influenza outbreak. The good doctor proposed holding Western tourists hostage until Bangkok received needed flu vaccines.
Dr. Suwit’s comments at the WHO’s January executive board meeting in Geneva “appear to contravene the spirit and provisions of the revised International Health Regulations,” Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt wrote in a letter dated March 7, referring to the WHO’s rules on how countries cooperate to curb the international spread of diseases. “Voicing support for these counterproductive policies at a multilateral, intergovernmental meeting…can impair global influenza preparedness efforts.”
snip
March 17th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Bad taste ? Maybe. Certainly bad taste to draw attention to the inequities between the 1st and 3rd world in access to medical care.
I’m sure the US will also avoid mentioning that in the event of a pandemic, it presumably has a contingency plan that includes closing its borders, stranding its traveling citizens wherever they might be. So there would be no need for the Thais to seize anyone.
March 17th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Sounds like he made a joke (it gave ME a chuckle anyway) or said something in anger. But our media need something new and sensational to write about EVERY day, so as usual, it gets blown out of all proportion (IMO).
But if true Silom, it would certainly cut your travel costs for visa runs
March 18th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I agree. Suppose a flu outbreak occurred in Somburi, or Anyburi or AnyOtherburi. What would be the difference in the end between closing the Thai borders to put the country under quarantine in a noble self-sacrificing bid to save the rest of the world, versus closing the borders to hold foreign tourists hostage until vaccine arrived?
I can certainly imagine a minister from another country suggesting the former to Dr. Suwit as the thing that set the context for the quote.
March 21st, 2007 at 3:23 pm
I have just noticed that I have developed a sore throat. Perhaps the odd bout of coughing too. My eyes watered quite a lot this morning (was it your photos? - all these boys?)
I insist that I be detained at once, - for health reasons only, you understand. Thai boys can come to visit me, and bring chocolate. (boys).
Thank god my immune system isn’t what it used to be.