Chargé d’Affaires Michael Heath recently wrote a letter to the American expats in Thailand. He outlined how the US is unable to help its citizens during a pandemic. It can be found here.

"The U.S. Department of State is unable to provide vaccines to the millions of Americans who reside outside of the United States. For those who wish to return to the United States to be vaccinated, information on vaccine availability at the state level is available at www.vaccines.gov"

The US most certainly is not unable to handle the logistic of providing vaccines to its expats citizens worldwide. This is an outright lie to the people looking for you in need and help during a global pandemic. America can deploy its military worldwide in 18 hours but we are unable to ship vaccines and orchestrate queue.  America was more than capable of shipping vaccines to South Korean soldiers who would interact with American soldiers, the Embassy staff, and many countries including Thailand, but not its people who are not treated equitable when it comes to access in Thailand. 

Instead he encourages non-vaccinated people to travel. From a tax standpoint, US working expats cannot spend more than 35 days in the US or over international waters or we will be doubled tax. What about older adults? Families? People with jobs? This just fly to the US is an absolute tone deaf response. There are also numerous hoops to jump through to then return to Thailand. Sorry, we dont have a diplomatic passport.

Chargé d’Affaires Michael Heath no longer deserves to be the US ambassador to Thailand. If you agree, please sign the petition. I have it marked to go to the State Department and President Biden.