Coronavirus (Covid-19)
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha offers to be first up for Covid-19 vaccine
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has offered to be the first in Thailand to get jabbed with China’s Sinovac vaccine, which is set to arrive on Wednesday. Apparently, the prime minister had said in the past that people over 60 years old should not get the coronavirus vaccine. Prayut is 66.
Last month, Prayut made a post on Facebook saying he won’t let Thais become vaccine “guinea pigs,” pointing out serious negative side effects some people have reported after getting injected with a Covid-19 vaccine.
The first 200,000 doses of the Chinese made vaccine are expected to arrive on Wednesday. Prayut is expected to formally accept the delivery at an event Thai officials are calling “Covid vaccines, restoring the Thai Smile.”
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the vaccine has been a sensitive issue and the vaccine management team has been under a lot of pressure.
“I haven’t hidden anything but need to find the right time to explain my decisions. There are concerns about untoward occurrences, like what happens if the plane carrying the vaccines crashes? If the vaccine does not arrive, it will not be the government’s fault, because we have completed our side of the job.”
The Sinovac vaccine still needs to be approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration before use.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Today, the Thai government is reporting 79 new cases of Covid-19, with 65 locally-transmitted, and 14 imported, raising the total to 26,241 since the pandemic began. 1 new death has been reported, raising the total amount of deaths to 85. The new infections, which are now in the double-digits, shows Thailand’s Covid situation as improving according to the assistant spokeswoman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Panprapa Yongtrakul.
“The two-digit level of new cases found at hospitals and communities shows that the local Covid-19 situation is under control.”
The CCSA reports that 43 of the 65 local infections were found in communities with 22 of the 65 found in hospitals across 4 provinces.
Samut Sakhon province, the source of the second wave of Covid in the Kingdom, reported 77% of the new cases. Of the 50 cases found in the province, 38 were found in communities and 12 were found at hospitals.
Pathum Thani reported 8 new cases, with 3 being found at hospitals, and 5 in the community. Bangkok reported 6 new cases at hospitals and Chon Buri reported 1 infection found at a hospital. 12 of the 14 imported infections were quarantined arrivals from Russia, The United Arab Emirates, The United States, Slovenia, South Africa, Germany, Libya and Italy.
The other 2 imported cases were that of Thai women, who ellegedly returned from Myanmar illegally through a natural border crossing in Tak province, despite the government closing off natural border crossings after the February coup by the military in Myanmar.
Covid-19 cases rose worldwide by 446,747 over the past 24 hours to 116.21 million. The worldwide death toll rose by 9,955 to 2.58 million. The US still has the most cases at 29.53 million, rising by 68,321 over the past 24 hours, and the most deaths at 533,636, rising by 1,993 over the last 24 hours.
In light of the recent downturn in reported cases, Samut Sakhon has recently reopened 22 of its wet markets. However, the seafood market where the second wave of the Covid outbreak began, is not one of them, and it is not yet known when that might reopen.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Thailand’s Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, will chair a meeting on Monday, in which a vaccine passport scheme and potential travel bubbles will be discussed. Anutin says those who’ve been inoculated against Covid-19 will be issued with a book to confirm their vaccination. It’s hoped this will make international travel easier, as well as boosting the public’s confidence and helping life return to some kind of normality.
“The Public Health Ministry is making preparations to bring life back to normal, restore businesses and revive the Thai economy.”
A number of groups and industry representatives have added their voices to growing calls for a vaccine passport policy. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking is urging the government to implement the scheme without further delay, while also calling for private companies in Thailand to be allowed purchase and distribute vaccines.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is also pushing for a vaccine passport policy, while the Tourism Ministry has urged the Health Ministry to approve one. Meanwhile the PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked the Foreign Ministry to carry out a study on vaccine passports, adding that the jury is still out as to their effectiveness. They also have their critics, primarily among rights’ groups and doctors, who argue that there is not yet enough evidence that vaccination prevents transmission.
At Monday’s meeting of the National Communicable Diseases Committee, the Anutin-led panel will also discuss the idea of travel bubbles. Thailand has been considering entering into reciprocal travel arrangements with countries with a high take-up of Covid-19 vaccines.
Meanwhile, Anutin says the public must continue with the practice of mask-wearing, noting that the number of Thais doing so has recently slipped. He says that recent data shows the number of people wearing masks has dropped below 80%, compared to 90% last month.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Hospital in northern Thailand closes to visitors after 2 patients test positive for Covid-19
A hospital in the northern province of Tak has had to shut its doors to visitors after 2 patients treated at the facility subsequently tested positive for Covid-19. Nation Thailand reports that Mae Sot Hospital is now closed to visitors until Monday.
It’s understood that 19 staff members have had contact with 2 patients who tested positive for the virus. Hospital director Thawatchai Setsuppana says the closure is to facilitate a deep clean of the facility and confirmed that a number of medical workers are self-isolating.
“3 doctors, 11 nurses and 5 patient assistants have been ordered to undergo 14-day quarantine.”
Officials are now questioning both patients, in an effort to trace others who may have had contact with them. Tak province is on the border with Myanmar, which has had 142,000 cases of the virus, with 3,200 deaths.
Meanwhile, in the northern province of Sukothai, the provincial Public Health Office has confirmed that a Thai national who returned from working at a casino in Myanmar has also tested positive for Covid-19. It’s understood the woman developed symptoms prior to entering Thailand at the border town of Mae Sot on March 1, before taking a bus to her home in order to attend her grandfather’s funeral.
The provincial health office has issued a statement to confirm the timeline of the woman’s movements. It’s understood 17 people had contact with the woman, with 7 of those considered “high-risk”.
“On March 2, she took a Covid-19 test at Sukhothai Hospital and went shopping in Muang district before heading home. She was admitted to Ban Dan Lan Hoi Hospital on March 3 after her test came back positive.”
It is unclear how the woman managed to evade the mandatory 14-day quarantine. Border officials have stepped up patrols in recent weeks, amid fears that Burmese nationals fleeing the violence in Myanmar may attempt to cross illegally into Thailand, bypassing health checks and quarantine.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
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James Pate
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 5:53 pm
I guess the guy didn’t get that memo that says “Anyone who walks out of Parliament must go to the end of the vaccination line.”
Slugger
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 5:57 pm
Correct. Who sent the memo? Oh you imagined it, how tragic.
Jason
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 6:07 pm
James, that was a good quip…no denying it 🙂 I look at leaders of countries around the world and there’s this dilemma….Do I go first to show that it’s ok to have the vaccine or do I do the humble bit and wait till others more important to the cause of virus control have the vaccination?? (First line workers, the elderly, airport staff). I’ll let world leaders squirm over that one 😉
James Pate
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 6:15 pm
Thanks, Jason. But seriously folks, public opinion says politicians should be last, as stated in an article posted here today.
Issan John
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:19 pm
NO IT DOESN’T.
It was a badly worded survey that asked who should be first, NOT last, and an appallingly badly written headline.
Issan John
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 7:21 pm
Very true, Jason – lose/ose or win/win, depending entirely on your politics.
Toby Andrews
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 6:07 pm
Still to be approved!
Oh well that might be a few more weeks then.
PM Prayut will officially accept the vaccine.
Along with a troupe of trained Thais doing back somersaults and then punching the air.
There will also be a Thai band playing and singing of PM Prayut.
“For he’s a jolly could fellow . . .”
The great Thai saviour saves Thailand – a publicity stunt no more.
And what’s this.
He said people over 60 should not have the vaccine, yet he at 66 will be vaccinated!
What’s good for the peasants is not good for him it seems.
Anon
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 6:20 pm
A pitiful man with tremendous power. Thailand has big problems
Jim kelly
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 8:04 pm
LET HIM HAVE IT!!! BE THE FIRST!! Hopefully, he will have an acute allergic reaction to it, get hospitalised and then perish a few days later, recorded as another Covid death… it’s a plan!!
Toby Andrews
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 10:59 pm
True that would cure a lot of Thailand’s problems.
Issan John
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 9:07 pm
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is the best leader for Thailand. Keep up the good work PM Prayut!
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 1:18 am
Inevitably for these sort of comments, not made by me.
Rather unfortunate that anyone can make a comment here using anyone else’s name, but as the Thaiger are aware of this it’s up to them.
Landru
Monday, February 22, 2021 at 9:49 pm
He’ll get a nice syringe full of saline like the other world leaders
Dodgy “vaccines” that mess with one’s DNA are for plebes to test
Pedro
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 2:42 am
I had the vaccine two weeks ago, and strangely enough my DNA has not been altered, I did not grow a second head, my muscles remain disgustingly relaxed and show no signs of growing. In fact, I feel the same as I did before I had it except that my body now has more protection against the virus than I had two weeks and one day ago. If someone does not have the vaccine and then catches covid, goes into hospital, makes many people have to care for them and takes up a critical care bed when it could have been avoided with a job, then that would indeed be a selfish person.
Pedro
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 2:46 am
Prayut would say he is showing leadership by having the first vaccine, but a leopard does not change its spots. It will be for self preservation first and foremost with him. The true military leader is at the end of the food queue and makes sure the troops are fed first and then takes what is left. That is why your PM is not a leader, Thailand. He always puts himself first.
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 9:50 am
It depends entirely on your point of view, Pedro – is he putting himself at the “end of the food queue” or is he leading by example?
Does the “true military leader” make sure he gets a proper night’s sleep, which may not make him popular, but then he can take a crucial decision after he’s fully rested, with a clear head, or does he take his turn on guard duty, gain popularity, but lose sleep so he’s not thinking straight, and take a decision that gets them all killed?
Looking at, say, Rommel and Montgomery, and Napoleon and Wellington, in all cases it was the former.
Pedro
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 2:10 pm
Ensuring that your troops are fed and watered before going to the trough yourself is nothing to do with how much sleep the leader gets. What getting a good nights sleep for decision making purposes has got to do with the point in question is mystifying, but I am sure there will be a tenuous link somewhere in your head. The answer to your main question is that it depends on the person concerned and their intent. As evidenced by his tantrum in walking out of parliament Prayut is not a leader but is a tin pot dictator, who stamps his foot and goes into a huff when he does not get what he wants, which in that case was blind obedience to listen to him. Based on that, leading by example is not what he does, and taking the first injection is for personal gain. As you seem to like him very much, I am sure that as always, you will disagree with any criticism of your hero.
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 2:54 pm
Nothing “tenuous”, Pedro.
If a military leader (not a junior, but a senior commander) waits until all his “troops are fed and watered before going to the trough himself” he goes hungry, can’t sleep, and can’t plan – then people die.
If you’d ever been “senior management” you’d know that – it’s one of the biggest differences between senior and junior leadership, which some can’t understand and those who’ve never been there never realise.
The idea that I’ve ever suggested I “like” him or that he’s my “hero” is about as uninformed as the rest of your comments.
Pedro
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 2:59 am
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says “If the vaccine does not arrive, it will not be the government’s fault, because we have completed our side of the job.” Typical abrogation of vicarious liability by the Minister. Until the vaccine is in someone’s arm, the job has not done and it is the Governments responsibility until that happens, and their fault regardless of why and how. Bloody senior management never take responsibility for anything.
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 9:54 am
Aaah …. things are falling into place 🙂
Evidently you were not “senior management” 😮
Pedro
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 1:50 pm
An erroneous assumption IJ. Never assume what you do not know, but go on evidence, and my criticism of ‘Senior Management’ is clearly based on evidence on a lack of vicarious liability by a Minister of Government. Your dig at me is based on wishful thinking. 🙂
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 2:58 pm
No, Pedro, it’s based on you saying “Bloody senior management never take responsibility for anything” 😮
Either you weren’t “senior management” or you “never take responsibility for anything”.
You can’t have it both ways 🙂
Graham Walker
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:12 am
Politicians should not get the vaccine until everyone else has received it, front line health workers should be first in line along with elderly population.
The PM and all the rest of the dinosaurs can wait until last.
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:26 am
The problem is, Graham, that a lot of Thais like “dinosaurs” – ask Thais why they don’t like the Future Forward (or whatever) party or Anorn and the protest leaders and often it’s not because they don’t like their politics but because they’re “too young”.
I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s simply the way it is.
Remember, in Thailand you don’t have “brothers and sisters” – you only have “phi-nong”: elder and younger.
There is, literally, no Thai word for “brother” or “sister”, only “elder (brother or sister)” or “younger (brother or sister)”.
Listen to any political rally and it’s not “brothers and sisters” but “phi-nong” – it’s just ingrained into the culture.
Issan John
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:28 am
The problem is, Graham, that a lot of Thais like “dinosaurs” – ask Thais why they don’t like the Future Forward (or whatever) party or Anorn and the protest leaders and often it’s not because they don’t like their politics but because they’re “too young”.
I’m not saying that’s right or wrong, but it’s simply the way it is.
Remember, in Thailand you don’t have “brothers and sisters” – you only have “phi-nong”: elder and younger.
There is, literally, no Thai word for “brother” or “sister”, only “elder (brother or sister)” or “younger (brother or sister)”.
Listen to any political rally and it’s not “brothers and sisters” but “phi-nong” – it’s just ingrained into the culture.
EdwardV
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:12 am
The BP is reporting this evening the shot will be AstraZeneca now. Seems the Sinovac vaccine was only tested on people ages 18-59, so they can’t give it to him because he’s 67.