Covid-19 News

Thailand Covid-19 news, vaccine updates, travel restrictions, and government policies—stay informed on case numbers, safety measures, and global developments. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Covid-19 updates in Thailand.

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    Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained

    Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...

  • CAAT sets restrictions and guidelines for air travel to prevent the spread of Covid-19

    CAAT sets restrictions and guidelines for air travel to prevent the spread of Covid-19

    With the new wave of Covid-19 infections hitting record highs, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand is tightening disease control measures for air travel and has requested that airlines abide by guidelines to help contain the outbreak. Those who test positive for Covid-19 are refrained from travelling and can face penalties for doing so under the Communicable Disease Act. CAAT…

  • Food delivery companies and customers receive new Covid health measures to abide by

    Food delivery companies and customers receive new Covid health measures to abide by

    Thailand’s food delivery services and customers, especially in its capital of Bangkok, are now having to follow 4 additional health measures to help curb the spread of Covid-19. The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control handed down the orders after meeting with food delivery company representatives. The new measures include stricter supervision of employees to ensure that they are…

  • Foreign Ministry cautions Thais about vaccine travel to the US

    Foreign Ministry cautions Thais about vaccine travel to the US

    While Covid-19 tourism may sound like an oxymoron, people travelling abroad in order to get vaccinated is a growing trend. But now Thailand’s Foreign Ministry is urging Thai people planning to travel to the United States to get a free Covid-19 vaccine to be cautious and do their homework. They stressed that rules vary from state to state, and not…

  • Desparate expats in Thailand turn to vaccine tourism

    Desparate expats in Thailand turn to vaccine tourism

    Travelling overseas just to get a prick used to have a much more negative connotation. But with limited supplies and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in Thailand, many expats are turning towards vaccine tourism, travelling to another country in order to secure a jab. With recent reports that Thai people will be prioritized and timelines vague for foreigners getting vaccinated, impatient…

  • Covid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 deaths, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 deaths, provincial totals

    2,112 new Covid-19 cases and 15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Since April 1, there have been 46,037 confirmed Covid-19 infections in Thailand, making up more than half of Thailand’s cumulative count of 74,900 infections since the start of the pandemic last year. There are 30,222 active Covid-19 cases in Thailand.…

  • Investigation: Was 91 year old woman’s death from Covid-19?

    Investigation: Was 91 year old woman’s death from Covid-19?

    Medical staff are investigating the remains of a 91 year old woman whose body was found last night in order to determine if Covid-19 was a factor in her death. The woman was found in her home in Karon, Phuket, after police, rescue workers, and a medical team from the Phuket Provincial Hospital arrived around 6:30 p.m. She was found…

  • Pfizer sees 45% increase in net income and revenue, as critics point to disparity in global vaccine availability

    Pfizer sees 45% increase in net income and revenue, as critics point to disparity in global vaccine availability

    After seeing a 45% increase in net income from last year, Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant, is largely increasing its projected profits for this year. And, the increase is undoubtedly due to the high amount of Covid-19 vaccine sales, in which the company says is shaping up to provide a “durable” revenue stream. The company says this year’s first quarter profits…

  • Koh Phi Phi national park closing for 13 days to control Covid-19

    Koh Phi Phi national park closing for 13 days to control Covid-19

    Thailand’s Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi national park is closing for 13 days from today because of the current Covid-19 situation Park chief, Prayoon Pongphan, told The Phuket News that the decision was made as Krabi province is seeing a rise in infections. “The number of infected cases in many areas, including Krabi, is increasing. From the disease investigation, it…

  • Medics concerned about using anti-viral Favipiravir in Covid patients with minor symptoms

    Medics concerned about using anti-viral Favipiravir in Covid patients with minor symptoms

    Medical experts are voicing their concern over the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s plan to use the anti-viral drug Favipiravir to treat field hospital patients. Field hospitals are currently being used for so-called “green” Covid-19 patients… those with only minor symptoms, or none. Favipiravir, sold under the brand name Avigan among others, is an antiviral medication used to treat influenza in Japan.…

  • Vaccination ramped up in Klong Toey, PM wants outbreak curbed in 2 weeks

    Vaccination ramped up in Klong Toey, PM wants outbreak curbed in 2 weeks

    Officials are accelerating vaccination efforts in the Klong Toey district of Bangkok, along with proactive mass testing in an effort to curb transmission of Covid-19. Posting on his Facebook page, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says the aim is to inoculate at least 50,000 of the approximately 90,000 residents, stemming the tide of infections within 2 weeks. The Bangkok Post reports that…

  • Covid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 Covid-related deaths

    Covid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 Covid-related deaths

    There has been 2,112 new Covid-19 infections announced for Wednesday, according to the Thai health ministry. 15 people have also been reported as dying from Covid-related symptoms in the past 24 hours. 30,222 people are still under state care and observation in hospitals or field hospitals. 1,886 were discharged from care yesterday. 10.042 patients are listed as in serious condition and 343 are…

  • Vaccines reserved for Thais, not expats – Public Health Ministry

    Vaccines reserved for Thais, not expats – Public Health Ministry

    Sorry, you’ll just have to wait. The Ministry of Public Health has muddied the waters further about foreigners or expats being able to access Covid vaccines in Thailand. Ministry spokesperson Rungrueng Kitphati has rolled back some of the comments that have already been made about the matter and the real world situation where some expats already registering for the next…

  • Australian Embassy snubs Aussie expats but Australia donates 68 million baht for Thailand’s vaccine efforts

    Australian Embassy snubs Aussie expats but Australia donates 68 million baht for Thailand’s vaccine efforts

    The Australian Embassy in Thailand has responded to requests by Australians living in the Land Of Smiles that there will be no assistance for expats or other Australian citizens to be vaccinated in Thailand. Given the snail-pace response of the Thai Government and the age of some of the expats retired in the Kingdom, it was an important request. But…

  • 27 people die from Covid-related illness 1,763 new infections in Thailand

    27 people die from Covid-related illness 1,763 new infections in Thailand

    The CCSA has reported 27 deaths and 1,763 new Covid infections over the past 24 hours. Over the past 10 days the daily reports have hovered around the 1,500 – 2,000 mark with the death rate trending upwards. 1,009 patients remain in a serious condition. 311 patients are currently on ventilators with Covid-related symptoms. In other related news… • The Safari…

  • Survey finds nearly half of Thai hotels can stay afloat for less than 3 months

    Survey finds nearly half of Thai hotels can stay afloat for less than 3 months

    A recent poll of the Thai hotel industry shows that 47% of those surveyed only have enough liquidity to sustain less than 3 months of business. The Bank of Thailand has published its confidence index of hotel business operators for April 2021 and the findings make for grim reading. According to a Nation Thailand report, a total of 188 hotels…

  • Virologist urges government to carry out mass vaccination within 3 months

    Virologist urges government to carry out mass vaccination within 3 months

    Prominent Thai virologist Dr. Yong Poovorawan is calling on the government to carry out mass vaccination of the population within 3 months, after a study showed that 1 dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine boosts immunity by more than 96%. Dr. Yong has been a persistent critic of the Thai government’s handling of the Covid outbreaks in the country. Posting on…

  • Covid UPDATE: 27 deaths, 1,763 new infections

    Covid UPDATE: 27 deaths, 1,763 new infections

    This morning the health ministry has reported 27 deaths and 1,763 Covid infections reported in the past 24 hours. Over the past 10 days the daily reports have hovered around the 1,500 – 2,000 mark with the death rate trending upwards. 1,009 patients remain in a serious condition. 311 patients are currently on ventilators with Covid-related symptoms. The Mor Prom app…

  • Vaccination to be accelerated following outbreak in Bangkok’s Klong Toey district

    Vaccination to be accelerated following outbreak in Bangkok’s Klong Toey district

    The government is accelerating vaccine administration among shantytown dwellers in Bangkok’s Klong Toey district following an outbreak of Covid-19. Thousands of people live in very close quarters within the slums and travel across the city and to neighbouring provinces for work. The cluster of infections has sparked fear the virus could spread further and overwhelm the healthcare system. Bangkok governor…

  • Chalong, Phuket hospital closes as staff quarantine after seeing Covid patient

    Chalong, Phuket hospital closes as staff quarantine after seeing Covid patient

    Chalong Hospital in Phuket is closing after seeing an outpatient test positive for Covid-19. The hospital is now undergoing disinfection while its staff has been ordered to undergo quarantine. The 74 year old patient visited the hospital last Wednesday for dizziness and was sent home. 2 days later the woman returned with complaints of dizziness again and diarrhea. The next…

  • Chachoengsao villagers say homeless man’s mysterious death could be from Covid

    Chachoengsao villagers say homeless man’s mysterious death could be from Covid

    Chachoengsao province villagers suspect a homeless man’s death may be due to Covid-19. Chachoengsao is just to the east of Bangkok. The man died under a pavilion by the road with relatives saying he chose to be homeless. They also say he had existing health problems but was not high-risk and hadn’t been in contact with anyone infected. But somehow,…

  • Thai government mulling more relief packages in light of Covid-19 third wave

    Thai government mulling more relief packages in light of Covid-19 third wave

    Thailand’s government is mulling more relief packages to help counteract the country’s third wave of Covid-19. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has told all economic agencies to fast-track their assessments of how the third wave has impacted the economy, a requirement that must be completed before new relief packages can be detailed. Once the packages have been created, the Centre for Covid-19…

  • 8 hospitals across Thailand forced to close after healthcare workers contract Covid-19

    8 hospitals across Thailand forced to close after healthcare workers contract Covid-19

    8 Thai hospitals are temporarily closed after patients hid the fact that they were infected with Covid-19 and passed the virus on to hospital staff. Other staff members have had to self-isolate. According to Thai PBS World, the 8 affected hospitals are as follows: Chiang Rai Mae Sai Hospital, closed until May 16. 88 medical staff quarantined. Nakhon Sawan Chumsaeng…

  • Flying rules tightened after Covid-19 infections found on Phuket flights

    Flying rules tightened after Covid-19 infections found on Phuket flights

    Disease prevention measures are being tightened for air passengers after several cases of Covid-19 were found on flights from Bangkok to Phuket. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has issued new guidance for airlines and passengers, after passengers on 7 flights, operated by 3 different airlines, subsequently tested positive for the virus. Phuket’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has ordered…

  • Weekend music festival in Wuhan attracts thousands of fans

    Weekend music festival in Wuhan attracts thousands of fans

    A 2-day music festival in the central city of Wuhan has attracted thousands of fans over the weekend. The Wuhan Strawberry Music Festival showcased the talents of popular musicians, as well as less well-known acts, over 3 stages in the city’s Garden Expo park. According to a Reuters report, sister events are also being held in Beijing and other Chinese…

  • Covid-19 testing increased, CCSA blames household spread

    Covid-19 testing increased, CCSA blames household spread

    After a month of the worst Covid-19 outbreak ever in Thailand stemming from the nightlife and entertainment venue scene in Bangkok and around Thailand, authorities have set their sight on another treacherous virus spreader: your household. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration worries that while the number of infections being spread in the community and gathering places seems to be…

  • Covid UPDATE: 1,940 new Covid infections, 21 new deaths

    Covid UPDATE: 1,940 new Covid infections, 21 new deaths

    Sunday’s report from the Thai health ministry says that there has been 21 new deaths in the last 24 hour reporting period. and 1,940 new cases. There has been 82 people dying over the past 5 days in the current 3rd wave surge of Covid 19 around Thailand. Whilst there’s been a general trend downward over the past week, the…

  • Mor Prom app crashes yesterday as people rush to register for vaccine roll out

    Mor Prom app crashes yesterday as people rush to register for vaccine roll out

    The new Mor Prom (doctors ready) app, where people registered under the Thai public health system can register for the next round of Covid vaccinations, has seized up after only one day being live. Before the crash some 300,000 people had registered for the vaccine. There is also a LINE account where people can register. About 1 million people were…

  • US pushed to join call for patent-free Covid vaccines

    US pushed to join call for patent-free Covid vaccines

    The United States is being pushed to join a scheme to persuade all manufacturers of Covid-19 vaccines worldwide to give up their intellectual property rights. This would make all Covid-19 medications, treatments and vaccines patent-free, allowing manufacturers around the world to produce them locally. India and South Africa proposed this plan at the World Trade Organization. As Covid-19 still spreads…

  • URGENT: Call for testing, Covid-19 on 7 Phuket flights

    URGENT: Call for testing, Covid-19 on 7 Phuket flights

    Authorities are calling for immediate quarantine and Covid-19 testing for 157 passengers of 7 flights to and from Phuket in the last few weeks. Passengers on these 7 domestic flights, mostly between Phuket and Bangkok, are considered at risk after Covid-19 infections were found on each flight. Seating charts were released with seat numbers and rows where Covid-19 infections and…

  • Covid UPDATE: 21 Covid-related deaths, infection numbers rise, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 21 Covid-related deaths, infection numbers rise, provincial totals

    All the provincial totals (below) from the NBT. Today’s Covid-19 infections were announced this morning and feature a new high in Covid-related deaths. 21 people have succumbed over the past 24 hour reporting period, according to the Thai Health Ministry. The people that died include 9 men and 12 women, aged between 39 and 90. 28,745 people remain in state-controlled…