Discrimination, Locally Spread

Discrimination, Locally Spread

Covid-19 has a curious and puzzling side effect, namely ­flagrant discrimination against foreigners who live in Thailand.

In June, Wat Pho banned foreigners from entering its premises despite the fact that no international flights had been allowed in the country for two months at that point. By foreigners, they meant expats, too.

French expat Yan Marchal, who got into trouble with the authorities for making a parody video of Return Happiness To Thailand, exposed a restaurant in Lat Phrao for refusing to serve foreign customers in a video in late July. He politely spoke with the staff in Thai and was told that it's the owner's policy to refuse foreigners for the time being.

Most recently, two noted marathon events seem "reluctant" to accept expat runners namely Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2020 (BMM) and Chiang Mai Marathon 2020.

At first, BMM outright barred non-Thais from participating and said it was because they want to minimise the spread of Covid-19. They emphasised that the original decision was made without prejudice. I'll let you be the judge of that.

However, BMM has apologised following the online backlash and now allowed foreigners to register but at a date later than Thais. BMM opened registration for non-Thais yesterday while Thais can register since Aug 8.

At the time of going to print, Chiang Mai Marathon 2020 stated "Because of the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic around the world. The event Chiang Mai Marathon 2020 for Thailand people only. Foreigners living in Thailand will consider accepting registrations on 1 October 2020" on the first page of their website. Thai runners can register from Aug 15, though.

I sure hope they don't ask foreigners to provide them with a doctor's letter to confirm that they're Covid-19-free to be able to register because that would be another facepalm moment.

Bangkok Midnight Marathon and Chiang Mai Marathon 2020 are scheduled for Dec 13 and Dec 20, respectively. Freaking four solid months from now!

Last checked the incubation period of Covid-19 is 14 days, not six months. Even if, Buddha forbids, you contract it twice, you'll probably be cured by then.

The majority of the new cases have been Thais who came back from abroad. Those who arrive from abroad -- be they Thai or foreigners -- are subject to state quarantine (well, I guess unless they're guests of Thai military or VIPs) and must test negative before they're released. That's pretty thorough, don't you think?

But all of these procedures don't apply to expats who have stayed in the country since the lockdown. They are more or less locals. They shouldn't be thought of as some kind of threat or be treated unfairly. All of these discriminatory incidents have one thing in common; the absence of common sense. You can't really justify that these organisers are being extra cautious when it was reported on Monday that Thailand hasn't had any new locally transmitted case of Covid-19 for 77 consecutive days.

Also, banning expats from participating in events or receiving services doesn't bode well for Thailand's image of being a country of hospitality and tourism.

Most importantly, when you take all the local stats and science that we know of Covid-19 so far into consideration, it just doesn't make any goddamn sense at all whatsoever.

Be sensible. Don't be s.... 

Pornchai Sereemongkonpol

Guru section Editor

Guru section Editor

Email : pornchais@bangkokpost.co.th

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