Opinion: Let's call a spade a spade and use clear terminology and have clear direction in regards to the Covid-19 situation in Thailand
The following is an opinion article. The views of the author of their own.
It's not a lockdown. It's precautionary measures and regulations to help stop the Covid-19 virus.
It's not a curfew. It's a suggested time of travel for your safety.
It's not a roadblock. It's a precautionary safety and screening point.
It's not a lockdown migrant dormitory. It's a quarantine "Hospitel" (spelling intended)
It's not a mask mandate. It's a health and safety measure regarding utilizing protective equipment.
It's not an alcohol ban. It's a restrictive temporary prohibition on the sale at some venues to help prevent Covid-19.
It's not a forced closure of a business. It is a health measure to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Just a few examples of some words we've heard from government officials over the last few days in Thailand as they work on clear and direct messaging as does the media. Unfortunately, even some members of the government and government-owned media have made "errors" or early statements or announced their proposals or preliminary measures ahead of time which is cluttering the messaging and making it confusing for everyone, especially residents of the affected areas.
I spent fifteen years working in retail management in the West, a majority of it in Operations and Human Resource related work. (bear with me here.) and terminology like seen above was very common. Don't call it a firing, call it a separation meeting, don't call it greeting a customer, call it welcoming a guest, don't call it a performance management meeting, call it a counseling and motivation session, etc. The current level of statements coming out from some officials sounds similar to this, almost as if they are following an HR playbook.
Now, it may very well be that we can't use those terms because of legal issues or potential requirement of providing compensation, etc. I understand that. It's fair. I also agree that the measures so far certainly aren't a lockdown and haven't been, although it's more difficult for people to understand terms like "Precautionary regulation and measures intended to defer travel and encourage stay in one's primary residence."
I do, however, feel that the current approach of allowing regional, district, and local officials so much leeway is cluttering the excellent approach of clear, concise messaging we had from the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and the Thai Government during the last year's first-round of Covid-19. During that occasion, the CCSA took firm control of the messaging and of the procedures and processes. It worked because it was simple for the population to follow, the speech was centralized (even if it was HR speak) and the message was delivered downhill.
Now, we have a different situation. I understand why we do and there are definite negatives to a one size fits all approach like last time in terms of procedures and measures and rules…and I agree that regional leaders should have more control in their own provinces around those rules. However, I also feel that the messaging needs to be concise and clear and should come from the CCSA downward still, even if the policies and procedures in districts may vary. Yesterday's example of a major public official announcing a preliminary proposal as seemingly being approved caused widespread confusion, especially over the word lockdown. (We used the words travel restrictions/measures, like using road screening points.) Then, you had an entire weekend of on-again, off-again mixed messaging on alcohol in restaurants in Chonburi and the restaurant dine-in rules in Bangkok. You also had PR departments release announcements about upcoming announcements that were not yet finalized which further added to the confusion.
I get it. They are trying to help and trying to get the message out but sometimes too much messaging is more confusing also, an old HR lesson.
It's a challenging situation, and there are a lot of moving parts. We all understand that. I can see that the TAT is working hard on daily updates on potential travel restrictions and that the CCSA seems to be working hard with local provincial leaders to deliver clear and concise messaging and hopefully this leads to improvement. It's nobody's fault, per se, but everyone just needs to talk to the other hand. The Prime Minister has, to his credit, firmly corrected mixed messaging when needed.
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