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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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thailand Covid-19 cases rise, six fatalities reported in a week
Thailand is experiencing a rise in Covid-19 infections, with six deaths reported last week, prompting warnings from health professionals. Doctor Thira Woratanarat from Chulalongkorn University highlighted the concerning trend based on the Department of Disease Control‘s (DDC) data. Dr Thira noted that 16,607 infections were recorded between May 4 and May 10, an increase from the 14,680 reported the previous…
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Covid-19 now just flu-ing under the radar, says Thai virologist
Covid-19 is officially being treated like any run-of-the-mill respiratory illness, claims Dr Yong Poovorawan, a leading virologist from Chulalongkorn University. This dramatic shift comes as case numbers tumble and symptoms become milder. In a Facebook post yesterday, Dr Yong revealed that this year’s Covid-19 cases are on a clear downward trajectory. At the start of the rainy season, Covid-19 made…
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Illegal factory busted in Bangkok, over 30 million baht of fake drugs seized
Officers from the Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Bureau (IDMB) recently conducted a raid on an illegal factory in the Tungkru district of Bangkok following a tip-off about the production of multiple fake drugs, including counterfeit Viagra, painkillers, and petroleum jelly. IDMB police officers, together with officials from the Ministry of Public Health, arrived at the illegal factory in Soi…
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SARS-CoV-2 induces somnolence in many in the post-Covid-19 phase
What is somnolence? Somnolence is a state where a person feels continuously sleepy and drowsy despite having enough sleep. It goes beyond regular tiredness, making it difficult to stay awake and focus on daily tasks. Covid-19 and post-Covid somnolence After recovering from Covid, many people report experiencing somnolence. They feel overwhelmingly sleepy, even after a full night’s rest. This condition…
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Could cannabis help combat Covid-19?
Recent research suggests that cannabis compounds may play a role in preventing and treating Covid-19. Studies have shown that cannabinoids, the active compounds in cannabis, could potentially prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduce the severity of the disease. Cannabinoids and Covid prevention A comprehensive review conducted by researchers at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada, indicates that cannabinoids might be used…
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Covid-19 can cause bipolar disorder
The global battle against Covid-19 has brought to light many immediate health issues, but there’s an emerging concern that needs attention: the potential link between Covid and bipolar disorder. While the pandemic’s physical toll is well-documented, its impact on mental health is still being explored. Recent studies suggest that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be linked to the onset of bipolar…
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Thailand’s new Covid-19 strain, KP.2, spreads faster than JN.1
Thailand is set to see the KP.2 strain of Covid-19 become the dominant variant, with increased transmissibility and challenges for vaccine efficacy. However, the symptoms will not be more severe than those of previous strains, according to a prominent virologist. Yong Poovorawan from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University announced on Facebook that the KP.2 strain…
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Woman arrested for using deaf people to deliver meth
Police arrested a woman for allegedly using deaf individuals to distribute methamphetamine in an attempt to avoid detection. The suspect, 53 year old Prayoon claimed she was forced into this illegal activity and feared losing friends if she spoke about it. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang today ordered Police Major General Teeradej Thammasuthee, alongside his team to apprehend Prayoon. The…
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Covid-19 will make you stupid
Recent studies have unveiled a troubling connection between Covid-19 and cognitive decline, suggesting that even mild infections can lead to a measurable reduction in intelligence. This revelation, supported by extensive research from institutions around the world, has sparked concern among scientists and the general public alike. These study findings and the implications for individuals and society are worrisome and unsettling.…
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Doctor warns of surge in Covid infections, over 18,000 cases daily
As the number of Covid-19 patients admitted to hospitals with lung infections continues to climb, an expert in preventive medicine, and a doctor from Chulalongkorn University issued a stark warning, predicting that daily infections in Thailand could surpass 18,000 individuals. Associate Professor Doctor Thira Woratanarat, a faculty member at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, expressed his concerns in a recent…
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BREAKING NEWS: 1,882 new COVID-19 hospitalisations and 16 deaths in the last week
Thailand is experiencing a significant but underreported surge in COVID-19 cases, with both public and private hospitals feeling the strain as outpatient and inpatient admissions rise. This trend mirrors situations in other countries like Singapore, the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, and France, driven by new variants from the KP lineage (e.g., KP.1, KP.2, KP.3). Governments worldwide, including Thailand, are…
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Thai medics warn of Covid-19 surge after 11 new deaths recorded
The Thai Medical authorities sounded the alarm bells for an impending Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in Thailand after reporting 11 new deaths and 1,880 hospitalisations over the past seven days. Data released by the Department for Disease Control at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health indicate that Covid hospitalisations are now averaging around 269 cases per day, with a significant portion requiring…
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GIF expedites Covid-19 payouts amid financial strain
The General Insurance Fund (GIF) proposed an expedited payment option for Covid-19 policyholders, where they can avail of an immediate reduced payout rather than wait for a decade for the full claim. This could mean receiving 60 baht now instead of 100 baht in the future, according to Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit. Governmental body GIF was formed to safeguard…
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AstraZeneca vaccine linked to blood clots in 7 Thai recipients
The Department of Disease Control announced that out of the 20 million Thai citizens who received the AstraZeneca vaccine, seven developed blood clots, with two resulting in fatalities. These adverse effects were confirmed to occur within 42 days post-inoculation. Today the Director-General of the Disease Control Department, Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, spoke about the vaccine’s side effects, emphasising that the incidences of…
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PM Srettha urges local authorities to monitor Covid-19
PM Srettha issued a directive to local authorities to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation following a surge in cases during the Songkran festival. This came after the prime minister and public health officials voiced concerns about a potential increase in Covid-19 cases. Kenika Ounjit, a spokeswoman for the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, announced yesterday that local authorities have been instructed…
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Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort provides comfort to the local community with major pillow donation
Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort, which is nestled just steps from the sea on Phuket’s sunset coast, has continued to give back to the local community with an important initiative that will help hospital patients and underprivileged children to get a great night’s sleep. The resort has teamed up with four caring organizations to provide 900 soft,…
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JN.1 Omicron sub-variant linked to surge in Thai hospitalisations
The JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron Covid-19 variant has been implicated in a recent rise in hospitalisations and over 10 fatalities last week. The majority of those hospitalised were elder individuals who had not received a vaccine or booster shots. The Department of Disease Control (DDC) reported 718 fresh Covid cases last week, yielding a daily average of 102 new…
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Surge in Covid-19 infections and rising death toll in Thailand
According to the latest report from the Department of Disease Control (DDC), a staggering 718 patients were admitted to hospitals between January 14 and 20 in a skyrocketing surge in Covid-19 infections. The grim statistics reveal a grim reality, with the death toll soaring to 11, a stark contrast to the four reported just a week earlier. The average daily…
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JN.1 Covid-19 variant detected in Thailand: 40 cases and counting
The Covid-19 variant JN.1* has been detected in Thailand, with 40 cases reported so far. Thai health officials are closely monitoring the situation as it is speculated to replace the XBB variant as the dominant strain. The JN.1 strain was first detected in Thailand in October last year and increased significantly in December last year. Yongyot Thammavut, Director of the…
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British scientist’s findings suggest new cave virus in Thailand
In the heart of Thailand, a cave harbours a virus with an eerie connection to Covid-19, and Dr Peter Daszak, a renowned expert in zoonosis, is sounding the alarm. Previously dismissed lab leak theories resurface as this cave virus, linked to both SARS-CoV-2 and RATG13, raises questions about its potential to infect humans. Hailing from Dukinfield, near Manchester, Dr Daszak,…
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Malaysia’s Health Minister reveals bold move: Not returning to Covid lockdowns
Malaysia‘s Health Minister, Dzulkefly Ahmad, declared yesterday, December 18, that the country has no plans to reinstate the dreaded Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO). “For the time being, we are not considering reinstating the MCO, although a lot of people are talking about it on X.” The minister assured the public that despite a surge in infections, the situation is…
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Party on: Health Ministry debunks new year cancellation over XBC Covid variant scare as fake news
The Ministry of Public Health dismissed the cancellation of new year celebrations in Thailand due to the purported spread of a new Covid-19 variant, XBC, as fake news. No unusual outbreaks or dangerous variants have been reported. A Thai Facebook user recently reported that the government was planning to cancel all new year holiday events due to the spread of…
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Surge in Covid-19 cases prompts advice for public to wear masks
A respiratory expert issues a warning as Covid-19 cases soar, surpassing even the flu. Renowned respiratory specialist, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, dropped a bombshell on social media, sounding the alarm on the escalating Covid crisis. Hailing from Vichaiyut Hospital in Bangkok, he disclosed a staggering 545 cases in November alone, divulging the unsettling statistics in a Facebook post yesterday, December 7.…
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Bang Lamung takes break from chlamydia, gonorrhea to deal with dengue fever, Covid, monkeypox
Chon Buri is wrestling with a severe outbreak of dengue fever. Local health officials confirmed more than 2,900 cases of the disease, with three fatalities reported in the past week. The alarming statistics were announced during a health situation update conference held in Bang Lamung District on September 4. Bang Lamung District’s Public Health Officer, Kitti Bunrattanate, disclosed the distressing…
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First cases of Omicron sub-variant HK.3 discovered in Thailand
Thailand has reported its first instances of the Omicron sub-variant HK.3, as disclosed by the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS). The new strain of Covid-19 has been detected in two family members, whose health conditions remain unconfirmed by the DMS in terms of transmission speed and severity compared to previous strains. The DMS head, Dr Supakit Sirilak, illuminated the situation,…
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Thailand’s insurance sector embraces digital revolution to boost resilience and consumer experience
Thailand’s insurance sector is adopting digital tech to tackle artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber threats and deal with the medical costs of the nation’s ageing population. Further steps were taken to boost industry strength and user experience. The strategy is headed by the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC). Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, the OIC secretary-general, disclosed that the first part of…
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Covid-19 survivors have 24% higher risk of developing Type-2 diabetes
In an announcement made yesterday, research revealed that people who test positive for Covid-19 are at an increased risk of developing Type-2 diabetes. The disclosure came from Dr Thira Woratanarat of Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, who referred to a study recently unveiled on the MedRxiv.org portal. This research incorporated a sample size of 15 million people from the United…
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Thailand detects new coronavirus subvariant EG.5.1
According to reports from the Department of Medical Sciences, a new and rapidly spreading Coronavirus XBB subvariant, named EG.5.1, has been identified in Thailand. Although fast-spreading, it has been observed to cause predominantly mild symptoms. Remarkable insights came to light yesterday when the Head of the Department, Dr Supakit Sirilak revealed that five individuals had been diagnosed with this subvariant…
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Phuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues
Thailand’s island province of Phuket has experienced a concerning surge in Covid-19 infections over the past month, according to the Provincial Public Health Office. Deputy Chief Dr Muanprae Boonlorm highlighted that Vachira Phuket Hospital has seen a rise in Covid-19 patients since the Songkran holiday in mid-April. The number of hospitalisations due to pneumonia and Covid-19 related fatalities have also…
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Hong Kong sees almost double fatal and severe Covid-19 cases in a week
The number of fatal and severe Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong saw a significant increase last week, nearly double the amount of the previous week, according to health authorities. Despite the rise, experts emphasised that the death rate remains small when compared to the potential daily number of infections. The news coincided with the death of a 13 year old…
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