Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Covid-19 in Thailand not a cause for concern – WHO, John Hopkins University

A top medic in Thailand says data from the World Health Organisation and John Hopkins University indicates that the Covid-19 situation in the Kingdom is not currently a cause for concern. Mondej Sookpranee, a specialist in infectious diseases at MedPark Hospital in Bangkok, says both the WHO and John Hopkins have evaluated the situation in Thailand.
“Both organisations have evaluated Thailand in ‘not high burden and not growing’ countries, thanks to people’s co-operation to contain the spread of the virus.” He adds that everyone in the country should continue to adhere to Covid-19 safety measures.
Thailand recorded 7,025 cases of Covid-19 between December 14 and January 14, with the average number over 24 hours being 271, according to WHO data. This equates to an infection rate of 10.2% or 0.4% over 24 hours, per 100,000 people.
John Hopkins has recorded the number of cases in the last 30 days as 7,189, with a 24 hour average of 459. This equates to an infection rate of 10.4% per 100,000 people, or 0.7% over 24 hours.
28 Thai provinces remain under “highly controlled” restrictions after the virus resurfaced in the Kingdom last month, with the first outbreak recorded at a seafood market in the central province of Samut Sakhon. The outbreak is thought to have been caused by the illegal smuggling of migrant workers, who were trafficked into the country without undergoing mandatory quarantine. The outbreak has since spread to more than 60 provinces. Clusters of cases have also been linked to illegal gambling dens.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Public Health Minister gets first Covid-19 vaccine shot in Thailand

Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine campaign started with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who was jabbed with China’s Sinovac vaccine. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was initially planned to be the first to kick off Thailand’s immunisation plan with the AstraZeneca vaccine, but due to problems with paperwork, the prime minister’s injection was postponed. Doctors advised Prayut to get the AstraZeneca vaccine due to his age. Prayut is 66 and doctors say the Sinovac vaccine has been declared safe for people ages 18 to 59.
Both shipments of the Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines arrived last week, the AstraZeneca vaccine still needs to be endorsed by the Medical Science Department. Anutin says the pharmaceutical company has not submitted documents and samples needed for the endorsement.
Along with Anutin, a number of other government officials and health professionals were vaccinated against the coronavirus. Anutin’s shot was administered by Thailand’s top virologist Yong Poovorawan.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
International travellers allowed to transit Thailand from Monday

International travellers will now be allowed to transit Thailand from Monday after the Civil Aviation Authority relaxed Covid‐19measures. The lifting of stringent travel regulations comes after Thailand reports a drop in Covid infections to double digits since February 20.
CAAT also says regulations are being relaxed on domestic travel as well. The authority says operators of domestic flights can resume serving in-flight meals and drinks starting from Thursday.
Transport Minister, Sasksayam Chidchob, says the move is part of a resolution by the Centre for Covid‐19 Situation Administration to relax measures. Flight attendants and passengers, however, are still mandated to follow Covid control measures that include wearing face masks during the length of the flight except when eating or drinking.
In-flight meals and drinks were banned on December 30 under the government’s 4th announcement, but was cancelled when CAAT director general made a fifth announcement nullifying the regulation.
International passengers have been under strict regulations for a while, including being unable to transit at Thai airports or to transfer to other flights through Thai airports.
Samut Sakhon province, the epicentre of the second wave of Covidin Thailand, has reportedly been successful at disease control in high‐risk areas, including the Central Shrimp Market, which has been closed for over two months.
But that may change as rumour has it that the market may reopen from Monday, but an official announcement has yet to be made by the CCSA. Deputy governor Teerapat Kutchamath visited the market, assuring that it was, indeed, ready to open by Monday, while plans are already being set to make merit, in light of its expected reopening.
Meanwhile, The CCSA reports 72 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Kingdom today. 63 of those cases were domestically‐transmitted while 9 were imported.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
Thailand
PM Prayut postponing Covid‐19 vaccination citing paperwork issues

Thailand’s PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is postponing his inaugural Covid‐19 vaccination citing paperwork issues with the AstraZeneca vaccine shipment. According to Khaosod English, the vaccine shipment was sent to Thailand last Wednesday from South Korea, but was missing the additional required paperwork.
Prayut was supposed to receive the vaccine tomorrow, but the highly‐publicised event will not be happening. According to Khaosod English, an official at the Secretariat of the Prime Minister has also confirmed the news of the postponement without citing a reason.
Although the Sinovac vaccine is also being administered in Thailand, healthcare officials say Prayut is too old to receive it as its age limit is 60. Prayut is 66 years old, which is well over the oldest age that can receive the vaccine.
The Sinovac vaccine drive is set to commence on Monday, 2 weeks behind schedule. Those frontline health workers, hospitality workers and vulnerable groups will receive the vaccines first.
Meanwhile, Phuket is waiting for the green lightto start administering vaccines and has already held a vaccine administration rehearsal overseen by Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panapong along with other health officials.
Pichet says the first vaccine round of 4,000 doses should arrive early in March, with the 2nd and 3rd set of doses, 16,000 and 48,000 respectively, to arrive in April and May.
The government pandemic center reported 72 new confirmed infections on Friday, after first only reporting 45 new cases. 37 of those cases were locally-transmitted, and one 6 year old Thai girl returning from the UK was found to have tested positive for the virus. Samut Sakhon, again, reported over half of the new cases yesterday, as it remains the epicentre of Thailand’s second wave of the coronavirus outbreak.
The total virus tally in Thailand sits at 25,764, with 83 fatalities. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has not yet announced the amount of new cases for today.
There is no word yet on when PM Prayut will be rescheduled to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
SOURCE: Khaosod English
Keep in contact with The Thaiger by following our Facebook page.
Never miss out on future posts by following The Thaiger.
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
Foreign tourists must use Covid-19 tracking app when travelling to Thailand
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)1 day ago
PM Prayut postponing Covid‐19 vaccination citing paperwork issues
- Crime3 days ago
Motorbike taxi attacked tourist in Pattaya because he was annoyed
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)1 day ago
International travellers allowed to transit Thailand from Monday
- Crime2 days ago
Thai man accidentally kills himself with homemade bomb
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)3 days ago
Did the Covid-19 virus actually originate in Thailand? | VIDEO
- Bangkok2 days ago
Bangkok police raid house where model died after playing hostess
- Bangkok4 days ago
Health officials deny WHO investigation into Bangkok’s Chatuchak market as potential origin of Covid
Jason
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 3:07 pm
The initial reaction to the virus was the right one, but almost inevitably, an outbreak occurred and now the numbers are going up. It will be a scramble to contain the outbreak. One advantage I do see in Thailand’s many provinces is the chance to isolate the virus within a province. Thailand would fit many times into the area of my home state. Testing really needs to be ramped up if Thailand’s provinces are to have any chance to contain and control. I hope vaccine approval and distribution will see a decline in the overall numbers. The pattern in the world of vaccine reception seems to be: Front line health workers…the elderly and vulnerable…. essential service personnel….the general public. Hopefully Thailand will follow this convention that has emerged.
Slugger
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 3:54 pm
Testing is a waste of time and resources. Is, was and always has been.
Toby Andrews
Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 4:16 pm
As is reading your posts.