The following is our exclusive weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and then give you a week to answer it on our various channels, compiling a diverse range of answers and opinions to present to you, our valued readers. Here are the results from our last question…
Last week, we asked you the following:
Would YOU support a mandatory vaccine pass to go to places like bars, nightclubs, restaurants, gyms, massage shops, cafes, etc. in Thailand? Why or Why not?
https://thepattayanews.com/2021/08/16/reader-talkback-would-you-support-a-covid-pass-for-entry-to-bars-restaurants-nightlife-etc-in-thailand/
Some context around the question:
Other countries, like France and Italy, have their own version of the passes which are causing huge protests, debates, and arguments around the world.
Some thoughts to consider about Thailand mandating this:
-Do you think they could enforce it? Thailand has a reputation for a “no worries” culture and based on this, do you think bars, clubs, restaurants, etc. would check every customer and enforce this rule, especially if the customer has “money in hand?”
-Is it even needed as more data is found out about the Delta variant and spread from and to vaccinated people?
-Should there be exceptions? At today’s conference, the CCSA spokesperson specifically mentioned they were considering air-conditioned indoor venues, which means unlike France, it would be unlikely that one would a pass at say an outdoor beer bar or restaurant. Would this be ok with you?
-Should there be an exception for those who have already had Covid-19 and recovered?
-Do you think there would be a chance of fake documents, passes, and registrations?
Here is what you, our readers, had to say as our editors selected some of the most diverse responses to highlight different points of view. We had an enormous amount of different viewpoints with polar opposite opinions, as was likely to be expected with this question.
Do you still want to chime in? Here is how:
Let us know in the comments below (scroll down), on our social media, or mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com. Please keep in mind all comments below are those of the reader, and may not reflect those of The Pattaya News Company Limited.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-==-
Willi H-I think such a pass would be – on one hand – a good thing, but on the other hand – as you wrote in your article – most bar or restaurant owners would not enforce it because it is time for them to finally make money. So in the end it would be worthless, which means: forget about it.
-=-=-=–=-=-
Julbol-If I would need a vaccine passport to be able to go to bars or restaurants in Thailand, I would leave the country.!
=-=-==-=-==
Nicolas B-No not at all. For what. Live with it. As many do live with flu in winter.
-=-=—=-=-==
Darren H-For what purpose? With delta, which is 99% of the spread in Thailand according to CCSA, vaccinated people carry the exact same level of viral load as unvaccinated and also can spread and catch it. Yes, they are better protected from going to the hospital. However, blocking access to unvaccinated people doesn’t protect them any better, which was the major concern before. It is discrimination, period.
-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-
Terrell R-Yes. Not only should it be required, but regular booster shots and full ID and tracing of where people went. Anyone who goes to bars, brothels, or other illegal places and takes part in prostitution should be charged as well. Prostitution is against the law in Thailand and this is a great way to stomp it out ONCE AND FOR ALL and arrest anyone participating in this foul, unnatural, horrific hobby. Use it to control people, track where they go, and arrest anyone breaking the law or participating in taking advantage of innocent Thai women.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Jon R-We have an immune system which can deal with this very easily, but the governments around the world don’t want to listen to the fact that people are dying from this is minuscule, only 6% die from covid, 94% die from serious underlying health conditions severe obesity, diabetes, and many more other conditions. As for a vaccine that is still in the experimental stage I’ll take my chances that’s if I haven’t had it already.
-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=
Peter M-I totally disagree, not because I’m an anti-vaxxer, I’m fully vaxxed AZ, but because this is an experimental vaccine thrown together in less than 12 months, previous vaccines took decades.
It has already proven not to be working in the most vaccinated countries in the world going back into lockdowns.
So what comes next, I will not be taking part in the next part of this experiment.
It is going to force people into taking part in the worldwide experiment and that’s taking away our basic free choice and moving towards totalitarianism.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Nick I-LOL. If you really think bars that already are breaking multiple laws around tax, work permits for their managers, prostitution, rooms on-premises, allowing smoking, live streaming, alcohol promotion, labor laws, not following alcohol laws, legal operating hours, various license rules, and plenty of other rules are going to enforce vaccine passports to the letter I have a summer home at the North Pole to sell you on the beach.
-=-=–=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ric U-Yes, I would welcome this as it could mean opening up sooner here in Pattaya
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Joseph M-No. Whether you agree with vaccines or not this is getting out of control. When will this end? How far will the government go if we keep giving away our freedoms?
-=-=-=-==-====-=-
Michael H-If it means I can have a San Mig in a Thailand Bar I’m all ready to go so start the bar tab
-=-=-=-=-=-=
Buddy E-If it means getting back to some resemblance of normal, damn skippy I would.
-=-=-=-=–=-=-
Khun S-As long as it was enforced as strictly as the no smoking in bars and no prostitution laws.
-=-=-=-=-==-=–
David A-Those in favor will be out all night living the dream while the conspiracy theorists will be sitting alone in their room enjoying their Liberty.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Anthony L-No, I’ll take my money elsewhere
-=-=-=-=-==-==-
Martin P-No, not a chance, I’d rather never go to a bar or Thailand again!
-=–=-=-=-=-=-
We had hundreds of replies to this, you can see more on our social media channels and original article as we need to limit the responses for this article. Thank you so much to everyone who chimed in! We will have a new Reader Talkback early this week!