May 2020 has been an "interesting" month in Chiang Mai. We've had just one new Covid-19 case in the province this month - a Thai man who returned home from Phuket, an island that has been a Covid hotspot. For the past couple weeks, the new cases in the country have been Thai people returning from overseas; cases discovered while they are in government-mandated 14-day quarantine. It appears that there are no new cases spreading within the community. Slowly, cautiously, the country is reopening. Curfews and face-mask wearing are widely respected, unlike what we see on TV for many of our home countries.
Thailand has been a success story with with fewer than 60 deaths in the entire country but many, many people are out-of-work. Chiang Mai, which is heavily dependent on tourism, has been especially hard-hit. Our club has been able to raise substantial funds during the past six weeks to support programs that feed thousands of people. While many are going back to work in June as the country encourages domestic tourism, some don't get paid until the end of the month, so the need for food support continues.
While the weather is warm, the seasonal rains have brought welcome relief from the forest fires and smoke. Pictured above left is the view from my desk as I edit this month's bulletin. Oh that the view were this pleasant year 'round!
Pour your favorite beverage and relax to read what we've been up to.