Coronavirus (Covid-19)

No social distancing as hundreds queue for free Covid testing in Bangkok

Published

3 weeks ago

Friday, April 9, 2021

Maya Taylor

PHOTO: Flickr / Prachatai

Bangkok residents who queued for hours for Covid-19 testing yesterday have expressed concern that the event in the Thonglor area could end up being a super-spreader. Coconuts reports that over 1,000 people crowded into the area in front of the Barbarbar pub at Arena 10. The free testing comes as officials confirm over 500 infections linked to nightlife in the area.

According to many who were present, there was no attempt at social distancing, with everyone forced to crowd together as they waited. Pichet Kraijai, an office worker from the Ekkamai area says she was still waiting at 1pm, having arrived for testing at 8am. She says that while the free service is appreciated, officials could do more to improve waiting times.

“They should announce a definite number of how many people can get the service each day. In the morning they said everyone here will get a swab. 10 minutes ago, they said only 500 more. Now they must have changed it to everyone again because I was counted number 500.”

Coconuts reports that by midday, over 600 people were still waiting for testing while officials took a lunchbreak. Some said they’d been waiting since 7am. Officials decided not to provide queue numbers to people as they arrived, insisting that testing would be done on a first-come, first-served basis.

It’s understood that from approximately 2,000 people tested since Monday, around 100 have tested positive. Most are from high-risk areas, such as employees at nightlife venues and their family members.

Health officials operating from 3 mobile units carried out 1,176 tests yesterday and plan to return today and tomorrow. The testing units will be open from 9am to 3pm, with the aim of testing 1,000 people a day. The police say they are aware of the complaints and have pledged to improve the system from today.

SOURCE: Coconuts

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News Categories: Bangkok Coronavirus (Covid-19)

5 Comments

Craig

Friday, April 9, 2021 at 1:52 pm

555. That is funny. I’m guessing they were wearing face masks.

Reply
toby andrews

Friday, April 9, 2021 at 5:19 pm

Another example of Thai organisation.
Pathetic.
All the hysteria and only 100 test positive out of 2000.
That is like preventing a ship from docking because a mouse was spotted on board.
But that is alright, the authorities can ban everywhere from opening, and revel in playing Gods.
It’s a Thai fetish.

Reply
Stephen Kelly

Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 4:07 pm

So sad to read this, for a country that has worked so hard to control the virus and is now actively looking to reopen to international tourists before the year’s end, this was a terrible lapse of judgement.

Reply
Albert M

Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 7:50 pm

With the much faster spreading variants, Covid will be surging in Thailand as it has in the West. Thailand has to decide if it wants an economy and the virus, or just the virus.

Reply
Bill

Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 9:05 pm

stephen kelly is a whiny LOSER.

Reply

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Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.

Protests

Activist Penguin transferred to hospital due to hunger strike

Published

8 hours ago

Friday, April 30, 2021

Neill Fronde

PHOTO: Pro-democracy protest leader Parit Chiwarak, aka "Penguin" via Facebook

On the 46th day of his hunger strike in jail, activist student Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak has been checked into Ramathibodi Hospital to treat his weakening body. He was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison after signs that his body was having trouble recovering from the food deprivation. After dropping 12.5 kilogrammes from 107 to 94.5 kg due to his hunger strike, officials feared his body was not absorbing enough mineral saltwater.

Fearing he could go into shock, doctors removed his saline drip and transferred him to the hospital. When his condition improves, he will be transferred back to his prison sentence.

Rumours circulated yesterday about Penguin and fellow jailed protester Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, also on a hunger strike, and Corrections Department officials dispelled them saying the student activists were not in danger. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights released a statement on Twitter saying prison staff said blood was found in Penguin’s stool, so he will receive parenteral nutrition and an endoscopy in the hospital.

Penguin and Rung have been held with 6 other student protestors for 52 days, and Penguin began the hunger strike that has now landed him in the hospital on March 16th in protest of the prisoners being denied bail. They had requested and been denied bail for a ninth time yesterday. His lawyer has filed a tenth request today, and the court is expected to respond on Thursday.

Penguin’s grief-stricken mother is protesting as well, begging for attention to her son’s plight outside the court. A small gathering of protesters supported her as she called for justice for her son that she said committed no crime. To further call attention to the situation, she shaved her head outside the Criminal Court.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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Bangkok

Bangkok sets goal to vaccinate 70% of population by the end of the year

Published

12 hours ago

Friday, April 30, 2021

Tanutam Thawan

Photo via Facebook/ อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล (Public Health Minister)

With Bangkok as the epicentre of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, infecting over 10,000 people in the capital since April 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says they now aim to vaccinate 70% of Bangkok residents by the end of the year.

Since Thailand started its national Covid-19 vaccination plan in late-February, just 1.4 million doses have been inoculated. Priority was initially given to Phuket and Koh Samui, tourist destinations said to be of “economic significance” in an effort to reach herd immunity and reopen the islands to foreign tourists.

In Bangkok, health officials have focused on vaccinated frontline healthcare workers and other people at high risk rather than the general population like Phuket and Koh Samui.

Bangkok has a population of around 10 million people. The administration says those 18 and older will be included in the vaccination plan. Governor Aswin Kwanmuang says 10 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered between June and December. People need be injected with 2 doses for the vaccine to be effective. Aswin says that starting in June, they plan to administer 40,000 to 50,000 doses a day.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced that foreigners will be included in the national vaccination plan, but details for expats have not been released yet.

Those in Bangkok seeking a Covid-19 vaccine can register by messaging the @MorPhrom Line account. The vaccines will be administered at public hospitals in Bangkok as well as some department stores, according to Nation Thailand.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand

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Coronavirus (Covid-19)

New Covid-19 zoning with tightened restrictions starts tomorrow

Published

14 hours ago

Friday, April 30, 2021

Tanutam Thawan

Photo by the Thai Government

Starting midnight Saturday, tightened disease control measures will take effect, including restrictions set nationwide as well as restrictions based on the recent colour-coded zoning by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The restrictions will be in place for at least 14 days.

Nationwide restrictions

Alcohol sales at restaurants will be prohibited nationwide in an effort to prevent gathering and slow the spread of the virus. Bars, as well as other nightlife and entertainment venues, will be closed. Schools and tutoring centres will also be closed.

Parties and large gatherings are banned, except for household and traditional gatherings and ceremonies like funerals.

Face masks will be required in public places in all provinces, although most provinces have already imposed local measures requiring the masks to be worn.

“Dark red” zones

Under the new zoning, 6 provinces are classified as “dark red” zones under the highest control to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Those provinces include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Samut Prakan.

Dine-in services at restaurants are prohibited in “dark red” zones. Restaurants and cafes can offer takeaway services until 9pm.
Convenience stores must be closed from 11pm to 4am.
Gatherings of more than 20 people are prohibited.
Sports fields can stay open until 9pm, but no spectators are allowed.
Indoor fitness centres and gymnasiums must close.

“Red” zones

45 provinces will be classified as “red” zones under maximum control.
Restaurants in “red” zones can offer dine-in services until 9pm and takeaway services until 11pm.
Convenience stores must be closed from 11pm to 4am.
Gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited.
Sports fields can stay open until 9pm, but the number of people attending the sports events is limited.

“Orange” zones

26 provinces will be classified as “orange” zones, or “controlled areas.”
Restaurants in “orange” zones can offer dine-in services until 11pm.
Gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited.
Sports fields can stay open as usual, but the number of people at events is limited.

New Covid-19 zoning with tightened restrictions starts tomorrow | News by Thaiger