The fate of Thai expats - expatlifeinthailand.com



The fate of Thai expats

Little Wandering WrenNovember 2, 2020

I am an expat, a blogger and world wanderer who became "stranded" in Thailand due the outbreak of the Corona virus. Was it by choice? Yes!!! 

Those of us remaining in Thailand have now been here for many months. When the Big C (COVID-19) came around and borders started to close, we did not flee back to our country of origin. We stayed at personal and family expense, knowing also that if our ageing relatives in far off lands needed us, there would be little we could do except rely on the generosity of others. 

Why did we stay? Many of us stayed because of jobs, to provide support and leadership to those who brought us here. Most of us bunkered down for the unknown, trusting Thailand, not knowing what would happen at the time of this deadly pandemic. Although it had lasted longer than many of us had expected, we are fortunate to be able to go about our lives.

Our "new normal" is weird. We can do almost all of the things we used to do, except we cannot easily return to see family and friends in our countries of origin. Or if we do, we risk many weeks of quarantine, huge expense and the stress of trying to return to Thailand.

We can run in Lumpini Park, we can shop at EmQuartier, we meet friends for coffee and nice lunches. I can travel freely at weekends to wherever we want in Thailand, thanks to a company car and the Air Asia unlimited pass.  For me it has been a very, very privileged Bangkok lifestyle. I have lost count of the number of people around the world who have said they want my life!

Some expats, ourselves included, are not here on expatriate contracts but on local contracts. That makes us sort of locals, who arrived on a one-way ticket from Australia. No wonder 'home' has blurred into a difficult question. And when asked at the moment "Where do you come from?" We answer firmly "Bangkok!"

I say to those moaning foreigners that you read about, if you don't like the place then leave. Go back to Brexit Britain, Europe in crisis, America in turmoil or Australia/New Zealand in its second wave of lockdowns. 

I can not say it loud enough, or strong enough, I am so fortunate to be here in Thailand.

We are committed to Thailand, make us part of the solution

We expats are here to contribute towards our chosen lives in Thailand. It is sad when we feel we are not part of the solution, but maybe seen as part of a problem.

The pandemic is having such a sad impact on the economy and in particular my area of interest as a travel writer. It was always our intention to support domestic tourism right from those early days of Covid lockdown. We are now approaching our 40th hotel stay since February, we have taken tours and we visit attractions across Thailand.

Accessing the support of expats in the Thai domestic travel revival

Embrace us, love us and lets work out together on the domestic tourism front and more, to help our chosen homeland at its time of need.

Don't worry or be concerned about having us stay – in your taxis, in your countryside, in your shopping malls, or running in your marathon races.

This means don't cancel my booking because you are afraid that I might arrive to stay with Covid. Yes! This actually happened. 

• Plan and trust in your own COVID-19 protocols to pick out anyone arriving who is unwell from wherever they arrive.
• Educate your staff on Thailand's current situation regarding International arrivals. As I understand, unless at the government invitation, and even then… all inbound arrivals will undergo a 14 day quarantine. 

Yes, we may be arriving with a foreign passport, but we are no more, or less, likely to have COVID-19 than your last guest. Yes, you can check exactly when our last entry into Thailand date was, in my case 12 February 2020. No, I have not been able to leave the country since then. No, thank you, I do not need collecting from international arrivals in Phuket!

• 

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Thai's changing attitudes towards expats

I don't like the word's Xenophobia but I do want to explain this.

We are getting more and more examples in our daily lives where we feel at 'best' uncomfortable in Thailand, and at worst we are unwelcome. 

I have had experience of Thai passengers not wanting to sit next to us on crowded planes…  Taxi drivers refusing to pick us up because of Covid concerns. 

Fortunately, our countryside bike tour went ahead, because the villagers were pre-briefed that the farang would be cycling through and that we were long stay people in the country.

The issue seems to be that as expats, no one can distinguish us from new arrivals and the inherent risks they may bring. Understandably everyone, ourselves included, are edgy knowing that all new reported Covid cases into Thailand have come on returnees from overseas. This situation is surely only going to worsen as Thailand looks to reopen borders?

Find a way that us farang can contribute

We would love to be included in the Thailand Together government-supported travel campaign. We applaud the suggestion made by the President of the Thailand Hotels Association to extend this initiative to grant expatriates the same residents privileges.

It has been suggested that there are between 500,000 expats residing here in Thailand. Reports show that typically expatriates spend considerably more per head than the average Thai traveller.

We pay Thai Tax, employ Thai staff, we are live here as locals. We enjoy travel, we generally spend well, we have holidays accrued, and we are unlikely to go on any of the overseas family visits and holidays we had planned… Encourage us to get off the beaten track in Thailand.

Let's start a hashtag #AmazingExpatsThailand that lets us show you our contributions to local tourism and where we have been

Look at Richard Barrow's Facebook page #mythailandbucketlist. There is a huge number of foreigners here in Thailand who contribute immensely and shine a light on incredible places to visit. The excitement for us to get out and explore Thailand is building.

We would love to do this and it could help domestic travel as well.

Look to the silver market!

TAT, try to focus on the 'silver market' (I detest the word that refers to those over 50). There has been talk of trying to attract the young millennials, believed to be adventurous and the first to return to travel. However, the older population with grown kids at uni or beyond have a greater disposable income. We also have time. We have so much holiday time accrued and saved for family visits overseas, but does not look like it will happen this year. Covid helped us realise that we need to seize the moment. We, the silver market, are beginning to see – how do we phrase this delicately – that time is pressing!

Look at the female traveller market

All the women I know in Thailand are travelling big time! We are seeing a rise as was forecasted for the solo female travel market. Girls' trips away to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Nan are all big topics of conversations within the groups I attend. Thailand is ideal for this market, it's safe and it's fun and with so much to see and do.

There is the added benefit when the women in Thailand travel. They often return to great places they have found with family and friends.

We also have a constant stream of family, friends and overseas countryfolk come and stay in Thailand on recommendation from us so we act as referrers and influencers.

Change of attitude

Let us expats help you maintain and revive the wonderful travel industry and hospitality for which Thailand has been known across the world. 

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Selfies in Thailand can now lead to JAIL TIME - Bangkok Jack

Selfies in Thailand can now lead to JAIL TIME

December 11, 2020

Social media in Thailand is playing an important role in anti-government protests, now the government warns over selfies at rallies. 

The Thai Government has announced plans to take legal action against those using social media accounts to publicize the anti-government protests, which includes posting selfies on Facebook from rallies.

For several months, more and more Thais have been taking to the streets. They are demonstrating against the government, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

They have also been demanding a new constitution and monarchy reforms.

In October, the government declared a state of emergency over Bangkok. Part of the emergency decree is the threat of two years in prison for posting protest selfies.

This shows the importance the government attaches to social media.

In fact, the current protest movement began on the internet. A prominent example is the Facebook group "Royalist Marketplace," which was started in April 2020 by Thai political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun.

Pavin lives in political exile from Thailand in Japan.

Thailand heading for a ‘SEVERE SHOCK’ - Bangkok Jack

 Thailand heading for a 'SEVERE SHOCK'

December 11, 2020

Most people under economic pressure now

Thailand's economy faces severe shocks from the coronavirus over-reaction and a recovery is expected to take at least two years to get back to pre-pandemic levels, the country's new central bank governor said.

South-east Asia's second-largest economy, which is heavily reliant on trade and tourism, could shrink a record 7.8 per cent this year, with tourism badly hit, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has predicted.

Economic problems can be solved but it will take time as there are "no magic bullets", Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told his first briefing.

"The shocks are very severe, most notably on tourism," he said, adding the sector could lose 1.6 trillion baht (S$69.2 billion), or 10 per cent of GDP, with foreign arrivals expected at 6.7 million this year, compared to nearly 40 million in 2019.

But the country had a strong external position to withstand any shocks, said Mr Sethaput.

The economy, which suffered its worst contraction in 22 years in the June quarter, is expected to post some growth in the second quarter of next year, he said.

Mr Sethaput said the BOT would ensure that monetary policy and liquidity would not hinder the recovery.

"Our policy rate is the lowest in this region and a record low with limited room, so other measures, including fiscal ones, will have to play a major role," he said.

The BOT has cut the key rate three times this year to an all-time low of 0.50 per cent to support the economy. It will next review policy on Nov 18, when analysts expect no change.

The BOT would consider more measures as appropriate but it was in no rush to introduce them and would not rule out unconventional policies, Mr Sethaput said.

"All reasonable options are on the table," he said.

The BOT would encourage capital outflows to help ease the baht strength, Mr Sethaput said.

The BOT would closely monitor growing street protests which could affect confidence, consumption and tourism, he said.

Thailand offers ‘special visa’ to anyone who can afford it - Bangkok Jack

 Thailand offers 'special visa' to anyone who can afford it

December 11, 2020

Thailand escaped relatively unscathed from the pandemic. And the country's military-led government is keen to keep things this way.

Thailand's doors have been firmly closed to the vast majority of international visitors since March, but with more than 20% of its GDP stemming from tourism, this has had a massive negative impact on its economy.

In an effort to kick-start this sector, the Thai government has been gradually relaxing its pandemic-era visa rules.

The Special Tourist Visa (STV), which kicked off in October, is designed to allow travelers to enter the country with precautions in place.

Initially those who received the visa were required to enter from low-and mid-risk destinations, but now Thailand is opening up to the world with this 60-day tourist visa, according to the Bangkok Post.

Potential tourists apply for the visa and certificate of entry in advance, and if approved, must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, after which they're free to explore the country.

But there are a few extra steps in there too. For example, visitors must show booking conformation of an Alternative State Quarantine hotel, pay a $40 visa fee, fill in a 'Fit to Fly' health form, present a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken within 72 hours of travel, and provide proof of health insurance that covers up to US$100,000.

Applicants must also show bank statements with sufficient fund to cover their trip to Thailand as per their Thai Embassy's website.

The 60-day tourist visa can be extended to a maximum 90-day stay. After quarantine in Bangkok, tourists are free to explore other parts of Thailand as they wish, but the government has indicated that their movements may be monitored by an app or wristband.

For details on the visas, Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn suggests contacting your local branch of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. – LonelyPlanet.Com

BMA launches inspections for COVID-19 - NNT

BMA launches inspections for COVID-19

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials have launched a check of locations considered at risk of a COVID-19 spread, including restaurants, pubs, bars and karaoke rooms in an effort to bolster traveler confidence.

 

Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Pol Lt Col Sophon Pisutiwong led an inspection in the Ekamai-Thong Lor area initiated under measures against the spread of COVID-19, speaking with business operators and asking for their cooperation in strictly enforcing health protocols for the safety of their patrons and staff. The inspection team handed out documents detailing seven steps of personal protection, includingwashing hands, wearing masks and using hand gels.

 

The Deputy Governor remarked that he saw helpful cooperation from most places he visited, with only small areas for improvement. Members of his team gave out advice but are confident Bangkok is almost 100 percent safe from the disease and that nationwide efforts to contain its spread will be successful due to integration between local bodies and the Ministry of Public Health. Pol Lt Col Sophon said it was time the public supported the effort as some gaps remain.

 

The check found most business operators enacting customer screening, checking temperatures and having patrons register on Thai Chana. Foreign visitors have been asked to leave their name and a contact number.

 

Bug spread delays Thai Airways flight reboot plan - Bangkok Post

Bug spread delays Thai Airways flight reboot plan

Thai Airways International has delayed resuming domestic flights to Chiang Mai and Phuket from Dec 25 to Jan 1

Thai Airways International (THAI) has delayed resuming domestic flights to Chiang Mai and Phuket from Dec 25 to Jan 1, the airline announced on Twitter.

The delay is due to a resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. No local transmission is known to have been detected in Phuket.

The flights, the first to be relaunched since the airline suspended its international and domestic services at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in April, will operate until Feb 28.

The airline will operate three weekly return flights to Chiang Mai on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as thrice weekly return flights to Phuket on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The airline said customers who booked the flights before Jan 1 are entitled to a refund.

The source said THAI management held an emergency discussion in the wake of the Covid-19 resurgence in several provinces and decided to move the relaunch flights to Jan 1.

Management is also closely assessing the infection situation in the country. If the transmissions escalate, the airline may opt to delay the relaunch flights indefinitely.

The airline said that even though Phuket has reported no transmission so far, resuming regular flights there and serving a single destination would not be financially viable.

THAI plans to deploy the wide-body Boeing 777-200ER aircraft on the two flights which also offer full on-board services.

Customers will also accrue Royal Orchid Plus mileage on the flights.



How Thailand Has Boosted Air Passenger Numbers By Over 50% - Bangkok Post

How Thailand Has Boosted Air Passenger Numbers By Over 50%

Joanna Bailey

For a nation that relies on tourism for almost 20% of its GDP, the closure of borders hit Thailand harder than many other nations. In a bid to support airlines and ailing hospitality businesses, the government of Thailand launched three stimulus packages targeting domestic travel. These led to an uptick in domestic flying of more than 50% in just one month – here's how they did it.

Despite international restrictions, Thailand has worked to stimulate domestic travel. Photo: Getty Images

A bitter 2020 for Thailand

Thailand is one of the nations to have taken lockdown to the most extreme levels. The nation effectively closed its borders early in the year and is yet to fully reopen to tourists. While some long-term visitors are being allowed in now, a 14-day quarantine remains in place, along with the requirement for a negative PCR test before departure and another on arrival.

Thailand's prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha this week said that mass tourism would not return to Thailand until the effects of a vaccine were visible. He pegged this at mid-2021 at the earliest which, for a country that secures almost 20% of its GDP from tourism, will come as a blow to its travel industry.

The strict lockdown has had significant effects on Thailand's airlines. Flag carrier Thai Airways was in financial difficulty prior to COVID, and has been floundering amid the border closures. Its precarious fiscal situation has seen it selling off everything from planes to cutlery, and even opening a restauranton the ground in a bid to rake in some cash.

Although international tourism is important to Thailand, domestic accounts for around 6% of GDP. Photo: Getty Images

While international traffic has been stagnant, Thailand's domestic flying is back to around 70% of its pre-pandemic levels. In fact, between June and July, Thailand succeeded in stimulating domestic air travel by more than 50%, thanks to three key initiatives. Let's see what we can learn from Thailand's approach.

Three stimulus packages

The Thai government launched three stimulus packages in July 2020, all of which will run through to January next year. The stimulus package saw an investment of 22.4 billion baht ($718 million) plowed into domestic tourism.

The government launched three separate stimulus packages. Photo: Getty Images

The first of these was originally called 'Pansuk', meaning 'happiness-sharing' trips. Around $64 million was invested in this initiative, which saw domestic travel fares slashed by 40% for two million domestic tourists. This covered airfares as well as long-haul bus trips, and even car rental costs.

The second was called Travelling Together and was worth around 18 billion baht (almost $600 million). The project saw the government funding 40% of overnight stay rates, with a cap of 3,000 baht per night, for trips of up to five nights in duration. It also includes subsidies of up to 600 baht per room, per night, for other services such as food and beverages.

The final package was called Moral Support, and was specifically targeted at frontline medical personnel, hospital officials and public health volunteers. 2.4 billion baht ($77 million) was allocated to completely fund short breaks for these key workers, at up to 2,000 baht per tourist for overnight stays of at least one night.

The results

Presented at an IATA press conference yesterday, the results of these initiatives were impressive. The Thai travel subsidies successfully led to an uplift in domestic air travel between June and July of 56%. That level has been maintained, with a slight drop in September, but overall traffic figures remain much higher than during the initial months of the pandemic.

Image: IATA

IATA is calling on governments around the world to do more to support their airlines over this final hurdle before the effects of the vaccine kick in. Initiatives like these subsidies are a great way to stimulate demand without adding to the debt burden of the airlines and should be seen as an inspiration for a way out of this crisis.



Tesco says conditions satisfied for $10.6bn sale of Asia business - Bangkok Post

Tesco says conditions satisfied for $10.6bn sale of Asia business

An entrance to a Tesco Lotus store is seen in Bangkok, March 9, 2020. (Reuters file photo)

Britain's biggest retailer Tesco expects to complete the $10.6 billion sale of its Asian businesses to CP Group on Dec 18, paving the way for a return of 5 billion pounds ($6.7 billion) to shareholders, it said on Wednesday.

Tesco agreed to sell its businesses in Thailand and Malaysia to CP Group in March.

It said that CP Group had now reviewed and was satisfied with the formal notice of approval from the Office of Trade Competition Commission in Thailand.

This, plus the approval received from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in Malaysia on Nov 10, means there are no further conditions outstanding and the disposal is expected to complete on or around Dec 18.

"This sale allows us to focus on our businesses across Europe and to continue delivering for customers, make a significant contribution to our pension deficit and return value to shareholders," said Tesco CEO Ken Murphy.

Tesco intends to return about 5 billion pounds of the net proceeds to shareholders via a special dividend, together with a share consolidation, and will also put 2.5 billion pounds into the Tesco PLC Pension Scheme shortly following completion.

The special dividend is expected to be paid around Feb 26 2021, conditional on shareholder approval at a general meeting around Feb 11.

Last week, Tesco said it would pay back to government 585 million pounds of Covid-19 business rates relief, which prompted rivals to do the same.

Murphy said the decision to return the relief was "completely disconnected" to its plans to pay a special dividend once the Asian business was sold.

Shares in Tesco were up 1.6% at 0808 GMT (3.08pm in Thailand).  

Up next will be NO VACCINE – NO ENTRY. Bangkok Jack

Up next will be NO VACCINE – NO ENTRY

A rising number of nations around the world are saying travelers will need a COVID-19 vaccination before visiting.

December 9, 2020

According to The Associated Press, officials from Australia's largest airline, Qantas, said that once coronavirus vaccines are widely accessible, they will be required for passengers before they travel to or from the island continent.

Qantas Chief Executive officer Alan Joyce said the airline is currently developing ways to electronically verify that people have received the necessary vaccine for their intended destinations.

"We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travelers, that we will ask people to have the vaccination before they get on the aircraft," Joyce told The AP.

Qantas isn't the only carrier working on the changes, as South Korea's largest airline, Korean Air, also announced Tuesday it would require vaccinations, as "governments are likely to require vaccinations as a condition for lifting quarantine requirements for new arrivals." (continued below)

Korean Air spokesperson Jill Chung said any change to screening or vaccine rules would be the result of coordination with local governments.

Aviation authorities in New Zealand echoed Chung's position, with Air New Zealand saying, "Ultimately, it's up to governments to determine when and how it is safe to reopen borders and we continue to work closely with authorities on this."

Many international airlines are working on trials of "Common Pass," an app endorsed by the World Economic Forum that aims to provide a standardized format for airlines to evaluate the coronavirus test results of passengers.

IATA also announced it is working on a COVID-19 Travel Pass app that would make it easy for flying passengers to quickly display their COVID credentials at airports.

In Thailand the Government's zero-risk strategy, and reluctance to take any chances with a second wave of Covid 19, it is highly likely there will be a stipulation that anyone entering the kingdom will need a vaccine certificate or stamp in their passports.

Couple this with the Thai population's continued fear of allowing foreigners back into the country at this time, in poll after poll, and it's a safe bet there will be a "no vaccine, no entry" restriction imposed.

Ex-pat’s VISA REVOKED over Facebook posts - Bangkok Jack / The Thaiger



 Ex-pat's VISA REVOKED over Facebook posts

December 9, 2020

With the ongoing pro-democracy protests, some have raised question: What could happen to foreigners who get involved or speak out against Thai politics? Or post their thoughts on social media? Well, they could possibly get deported.

Expat Yan Marchal says he almost got kicked out of the country for posts he made on Facebook.

Many of Yan's recent Facebook posts are commentary relating to Thailand's recent protests, although he has priors.

Yan says he was on a visa under his Board of Investment, or BOI, company, valid until next March.

He went by immigration to transfer his stamp into a new passport, but was told that his visa had been revoked and was now on overstay, Yan wrote on Facebook.

"He told me that I would be deported. The reason given was my Facebook activity. I could see that he has a file with a detailed report on my posts, although he did not let me read the details."

Yan says he contacted Khaosod English. The news outlet got him in contact with the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

With the help of journalists and a lawyer, Yan met with another immigration inspector who told him that his visa was not cancelled, he will not be deported and the process for getting a new stamp in his passport would take a few days.

"The message that I felt the inspector was willing to deliver, although he would not own it, was that I had to be less opinionated on Facebook if I wanted to stay in Thailand. I was specifically asked to delete two posts, which I did."

It's not the first time his content caused trouble. Last year, he was visited by police after a video he made poking fun at the military junta – the National Council for Peace and Order.

Yan made a public apology and the video was removed.

Thailand has been known to enforce online content that is considered critical of the monarchy or could incite unrest.

In recent months, some activists have faced sedition charges for social media content that allegedly violates the Computer Crime Act.

Should Yan be deported? Was he wrong to post critical comments about Thailand? And the government? – The Thaiger

Fear over Myanmar strain - Bangkok Post

Fear over Myanmar strain

Officials check disease control measures on Tuesday at the Maela Temporary Shelter in Tha Song Yang district of Tak which borders Myanmar. (Photo: Assawin Pinitwong)

The coronavirus spreading in Myanmar is a different strain that spreads 20% faster than the original one in Wuhan, according to Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital.

Dr Prasit on Wednesday said around 60% of Covid-19 infections in Myanmar were caused by the G614 strain. The strain that spread in Wuhan last year was called D614.

The G614 strain has spread significantly in Western countries and is responsible for the most cases at present. "G614, which can spread faster, therefore needs a faster response," said the doctor.

Dr Prasit warned that hiding information from the authorities would make the virus situation worse and put everyone at risk.

"Only one slip can cause great damage to the country," said Dr Prasit.

He said society cannot be complacent after the recent news of vaccines being rolled out. "Don't pin your hopes on it, as it could take at least half a year for Thailand to gain access to Covid-19 vaccines," he warned.

In Tak, governor Pongrat Piromrat said the provincial communicable disease committee has allowed Thai nationals in Myanmar to return to Thailand through legal border crossings since Dec 7 in a bid to deter illegal entry -- the cause of Covid-19 transmission recently.

One border crossing which Thai returnees are allowed to use is the one at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge. Tak closed the border with Myanmar on March 21.

On Wednesday was the first day in almost two weeks that Thailand saw no local infections caused by illegal entry. Thailand recorded 25 new patients from nine countries.

In Chiang Rai, governor Prachon Pratsakul urged stranded Thais in Tachileik to visit the Township Border Committee in Myanmar to express their desire to return to Thailand.

The governor said they would not be jailed but would be fined 1,800 baht per person for illegally entering Myanmar. Once they arrived home, Thai public health officers would take care of them, he said.

Around 400 Thais have been stranded in Myanmar. Some 42 Thais who filed requests to return to Thailand travelled back through the crossing at the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge on Wednesday.

Army chief Gen Narongpan Jitkaewthae said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed all military units responsible for security at the Thai-Myanmar border to step up measures by patrolling more frequently, by foot and drone, around the clock.

Thai returnees travelling back from Myanmar would not face serious punishment, Gen Narongpan said.

Director-general of the Disease Control Department Opas Kankawinphong said there were 46 confirmed cases related to infected Thai returnees from Myanmar. All were in state quarantine facilities or being treated at hospitals.

Over 5,100 at-risk people who had been in contact with the infected returnees had been tested. The only person who tested positive was a friend of the returnees and they had travelled together, said the doctor.

Director of the Division of Communicable Diseases, Sopon Iamsirithaworn, said all 55 people who had been in contact with a 51-year-old infected woman from Sing Buri had tested negative for the virus.

Passengers on Nok Air flight DD8717 -- the flight she and two of the infected returnees travelled on -- all tested negative.

Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri on Wednesday said the government had the situation under control and the infected returnees were not superspreaders.

Meanwhile, the private sector in Chiang Rai has decided to delay legal action against infected returnees who illegally entered the country.

President of the Chiang Rai Chamber of Commerce, Anurat Inthon, said there were mixed opinions about whether to sue them.