Yesterday I received a letter from the British Embassy in Thailand.
Basically it outlined their plan should a Bird Flu pandemic break this is what the Embassy was going to do for me! In short, bugger all!
The Embassy as a plan for their own survival, any unfortunate Brit living or visiting Thailand will be on their own.
I’m surprised at this, recently the Embassy as had to deal with a torrent of abuse from Thai’s and Ex-Pats over its sale of part of the Embassy Compound to a Shopping Mall company. The land was given to Britain by one of the old Thai Kings, so it was seen as a bit of an insult to sell some of it off. They needed the cash for accommodation of the staff and obviously to protect themselves when there is an outbreak of Bird Flu.
Below I have reproduced the letter they sent me;
“British Embassy
Bangkok
8 June 2006 Consular Section
1031 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330
Telephone: (662) 305-8333
FacsimiLe: (662) 255 6051
AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) Email: consular.bangkok@fco.gov.uk
I wrote to you in December 2005 with information about avian and pandemic flu. The
UK Department of Health has now produced a pamphlet on pandemic flu that gives
advice on how to reduce your risk of infection from an influenza virus. This can be
viewed on their website: www.dh.gov.uk. That should be read together with an updated
version of the Foreign Office (FCO) avian and pandemic flu fact sheet which can be
accessed through this Embassy’s website: www.britishembassy.gov.uk/thailand
Although the number of cases of people contracting avian flu has increased, the perceived
threat of a human influenza pandemic remains the same, as the virus continues to show
an inability to pass between people. However, in an effort to ensure you are kept as fully
informed on the subject as possible, you may welcome an update, in particular, about
what your embassy will and will not be able to do in the event of a pandemic.
It is clear that, should a human flu pandemic occur, the virus would likely spread very
rapidly, possibly affecting all countries within a matter of weeks. Given the likely
disruption to transport, health services (including the NHS in the UK) and other local
services, the level of consular assistance and the visa service which we can provide might
be significantly reduced, not least because some of our own staff may be ill. In certain
circumstances we may even have to close the embassy temporarily to prevent the spread
of infection.
We have put in place a flu contingency plan for the embassy so that we can try to
maintain a basic consular service during the crisis. Depending of the seriousness of any
outbreak we would endeavour to continue providing regular updates on the embassy
website. We will set up an emergency call centre to deal with your enquiries and will
keep you informed of developments by e-mail and/or letter.
I would especially draw your attention to the section of the fact sheet headed “British
Nationals living Overseas”. You will note that in the event of a pandemic, we have
concluded that given the potential number of British nationals involved we will be unable
to offer repatriation.
We would also not be able to offer any diagnosis or medical treatment. This, rightly,
should be the duty of your usual healthcare provider. We suggest that you consider this
and make the necessary arrangements, in particular your likely access to anti-viral drugs
and the quality of medical care facilities in the event of a pandemic.
I suggest you visit the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu,
which contains a range of information to help you consider your options in the event of a
pandemic. Further information can be found on the World Health Organisation and
Health Protection Agency websites. Please contact me if you have any further queries
about pandemic flu planning.
You should also monitor the FCO and embassy websites for updates. We will
communicate with you again when there are further developments.
Peter Karmy
HM Consul “
Thank you Mr. Karmy, for absolutely nothing!!!!!
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