The Philippine Embassy in Thailand criticized the headline of the Thai newspaper Thai Rath, which called the Philippines “Land of COVID.”
The PH Embassy wrote to the Thai Rath newspaper to condemn the report published on August 9.
According to the news release, “165 Filipino teachers from‘ Land of COVID-19 ’arrived in Thailand on August 8.”
The characterization is inappropriate, insensitive, and unhelpful at a time when all of us, brothers and sisters in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are closely cooperating to deal with the new and unforseen challenges brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, ”Consul General Val Simon Roque told Thai Rath Editor in Chief Saravut Vacharapol.
“The Philippine Embassy wishes to assure Thai Rath, its readers, and all our Thai friends that the Filipino teachers and other Filipinos returning to the Kingdom are following and will strictly follow all the health protocols and quarantine conditions promulgated by the Royal Thai Government,” it adds.
“We hope that this letter will find space in your newspaper for the information of the general public, and so that we can all promote unity and harmony to effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic during this difficult time.”
