COVID-19 hoax in Ranong
Images adapted from: อัครชัย เอกพันธ์พงศ์
On 27th March 2020, Mr. Akkachai Ekkaphanphong, a local DJ in Ranong province, posted on Facebook about a young Thai man who lied about having COVID-19, leaving the whole province in a chaotic state.
A healthcare worker in a full PPE suit checking up on him
Image credit: อัครชัย เอกพันธ์พงศ์
The man was on a bus from Phuket to Ranong, his home province, when he told his mother that he tested positive for the virus and that he just escaped from a hospital in Phuket.
His mom was believed to have alerted local officers about the news she’d received. So, when the bus arrived at the Ranong bus station, it was greeted with the sight of Ranong’s local administrative officers and healthcare workers who were waiting for the man.
‘It was just a lie’
Image credit: อัครชัย เอกพันธ์พงศ์
As healthcare workers got onboard to check on the man, officers were also trying to run his name in Phuket’s COVID-19 patient database – it was nowhere to be found in the system.
The man then confessed that he just lied to his mother, leaving everyone at the station baffled.
The motive remained unclear
In the post, there was no mention of the man’s motivation. It simply said that he went to a hospital in Phuket and asked to get tested for COVID-19. But because he didn’t have any symptoms nor was in a high-risk group, the doctor didn’t allow him to get tested.
Luckily, no charges were made against the man, but he was instructed to isolate himself at home for 14 days since he came from Phuket, which has been classified as a high-risk location.
As of 29th March, Phuket has 53 COVID-19 cases in the province.
Lying about something as dire as having COVID-19, especially in the time like this, is absolutely not cool.
Also read:
- COVID-19 Patient Escapes Hospital In Krabi To Go Home, Gets Caught With High Fever
- Thai Airways Crew in Self-Isolation After Passengers Tested Positive For COVID-19
- 10 Funny COVID-19 Spotify Playlists For Solo Dance Parties While On Self-Quarantine
- Thai Singers Come Together To Compose 20-Second Songs Perfect For Hand Washing
- Thai Doctor Runs ‘HomeCOVID Van’ To Conduct Coronavirus Tests At People’s Homes
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