Anti-government activists confirm details of October 14 protest

Thailand’s Department of Corrections is now tackling Covid-19 outbreaks at 4 prisons. Over the weekend, more than 1,700 Covid-19 infections were detected at the Thonburi Remand Prison, adding to the more than 3,000 infections at the Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok Remand Prison and Central Women’s Correctional Institution.

Prior to the recent prison Covid-19 clusters, hundreds of inmates at prisons in Chiang Mai and the southern province Narathiwat tested positive for the coronavirus. Human rights activists have called on Thai authorities to tackle the longstanding problem of overcrowded prisons and to release inmates who are detained for minor offenses or who are awaiting trial for non-violent crimes.

Last week, the department announced the Covid-19 outbreaks at the Bangkok Remand Prison and Central Women’s Correctional Institution, infecting a total of 2,835 inmates. The news came out after a pro-democracy protest leader tested positive for Covid-19 a week after she was released from detention.

Another Covid-19 outbreak infecting 506 people was reported at the Klong Prem Central Prison, a maximum security prison in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district on the same grounds as the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.

On Saturday, the department reported that 621 inmates at the Thonburi prison had contracted Covid-19. Another 1,104 more infections at the prison were confirmed yesterday. There are 4,169 inmates at the Thonburi prison and 1,725 of them are currently infected with the coronavirus.

At the Thonburi prison, most of the infected inmates are either asymptomatic, or just have mild symptoms. Inmates with coronavirus symptoms are taking the anti-viral drug Favipiravir.

SOURCE: Thai PBS

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Thailand’s Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchob, has confirmed that a walk-in vaccination centre will open at Bang Sue railway station in Bangkok, from next month. The centre will serve the capital’s residents and those in the surrounding provinces. The Bangkok Post reports that 13,500 square metres of space is being transformed into a Covid-19 vaccination centre, with the goal of administering 10,000 doses each day.

Saksayam says the centre will initially open between May 24 and 31 to vaccinate workers in the public transport sector. During this period, vaccinations will be administered to motorbike taxi drivers and the drivers of public buses, electric trains, and boats. After that, the centre will open from June 1 for members of the public to get their vaccine. It’s understood doses of a Covid-19 vaccine will be supplied by the Public Health Ministry.

Saksayam points out that the railway station is easily accessible using the MRT and that shuttle buses will be laid on for anyone arriving via public bus or other forms of transport. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will run a shuttle bus service between the station and various pick-up points, including Victory Monument and the Mor Chit BTS station.

“This will make it easier for people to get access to the Covid-19 vaccine. They can drop by and all they need to bring is their ID cards to register for the jabs.”

It’s understood between 150 and 200 healthcare workers will staff the vaccination centre, which will open from 9am to 8pm. In the event of any emergencies, ambulances will be available.

The government has ambitious plans to vaccinate 50 million people by the end of this year and the walk-in option is being introduced due to a low uptake in the number of people registering in advance of the mass rollout next month.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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A large construction camp in the Laksi district of Bangkok is to be locked down as a result of a new cluster of Covid-19 infections. The Bangkok Post reports that up to 86% of those living in the camp have tested positive for the virus. It’s understood the camp is owned by Italian- Thai Development Plc, which is involved in a number of railway projects.

Active case finding of the camp’s 559 residents uncovered 482 infections yesterday. It’s the latest in a series of infection clusters in the capital since the beginning of April. According to the findings of the Disease Control Department, the Laksi camp is crowded and residents have to share eating spaces and bathing facilities, increasing the risk of transmission significantly.

Apisamai Srirangson from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says some of the workers also travelled between camps, both in Bangkok and beyond. She says a “bubble and seal” approach may be used with the Laksi camp, in order to prevent any further spread of the virus. Such a measure would mean workers couldn’t leave the camp without special permission. Food and other necessities would be delivered to the camp.

In addition, disease prevention measures are being introduced for the camp, including regular disinfecting of the common areas and mandatory mask-wearing for residents at all times, other than when sleeping or eating. Apisamai says the number of people sharing bathing facilities will also be decreased and vehicles transporting workers will have limits placed on the number of people they can carry at any one time.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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