Thai students stuck in Wuhan
Images adapted from: ณัฐวุฒิ เอี่ยมเนตร
Ever since the Wuhan Coronavirus spread from China, 8 people in Thailand (1 Thai, 7 Chinese) have been confirmed to have the virus. The good news is that 5 patients have since been cured, while the other 3 are still under quarantine.
While many Thai folks, especially in Bangkok, have been taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves, a group of Thai university students in Wuhan find themselves in the middle of it all.
Students in Wuhan wait in hope to be rescued
Pasnicha Krutdamrongchai, one of the Thai students at Wuhan University, posted a status on her Facebook talking about her and her fellow students’ situation after the city went on lockdown due to the outbreak.
She mentioned that the decision was quick and unprecedented, thus she and her friends didn’t have time to stock their rations. All the stores that were still open were out of food. Miss Pasnicha also stated she didn’t know if she’d “die from the virus or starvation.”
In addition, Miss Pasnicha’s status was also a letter to the Thai government. After mentioning that most of her international friends had been able to return to their countries, she said, “we’re waiting for help.”
The status ended with, “[We] are waiting with hope.”
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks revealed that officials have been in contact with all 54 Thai students and 10 workers in Wuhan, and they’re still safe.
In a recent update, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the press that they were ready to evacuate Thai citizens in Wuhan, but they have to wait for China’s permission to proceed with the plan.
Wuhan left eerily empty
Image credit: ณัฐวุฒิ เอี่ยมเนตร
Earlier this week, a university student at Huazhong University in Wuhan, Mr. Nattawoot Aiamnet posted a series of photos and videos on Facebook. His album shows how empty and abandoned the city looks after the lockdown was implemented.
Closed wet market
Image credit: ณัฐวุฒิ เอี่ยมเนตร
Translation: I went out to buy food supplies and everything looked straight out of the movie. Many shops were closed. As for the ones that were open, there was an officer standing in the front and chasing away those who didn’t wear a mask. Everybody was just being paranoid. #IMustSurviveWuhan”
In the caption, Mr. Nattawoot said he was only able to buy food items like instant noodles, processed hot dogs, and milk.
Image credit: ณัฐวุฒิ เอี่ยมเนตร
Our heart goes out to these Thai citizens abroad and hope that they’ll be able to come home soon. Stay safe, everyone!
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