Coronavirus

  • Northern Thailand NewsCovid-19 prevention leads to 14 arrests of longterm overstays

    Covid-19 prevention leads to 14 arrests of longterm overstays

    While attempting to curb the spread of Covid-19 through migrant workers and illegal immigrants, Immigration Police have arrested 14 foreigners with “egregious overstays”. Today’s announcement of the bust of 14 foreign nationals took place mostly in northeastern provinces. The Immigration Chief explained that officials at immigration have been proactive in seeking out people who entered Thailand illegally to prevent an…

  • Covid-19 News8.3% of Thailand’s 50 million vaccine target reached so far

    8.3% of Thailand’s 50 million vaccine target reached so far

    Thailand has set a goal of 50 million people vaccinated against Covid-19, and as of today, they have given at least one vaccine to 8.3% of that target. The spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced that since beginning vaccinations in Thailand on February 28, 5.66 million injections have been administered. On Thursday, 223,315 vaccines were given around…

  • Covid-19 NewsSite launched for June 14 vaccine signup for all foreigners

    Site launched for June 14 vaccine signup for all foreigners

    The latest update on Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine registration plans indicates that all foreigners can sign up online from June 14. The Thailand Intervac website seems to be constantly evolving and was first opened for diplomats on a specific URL and then for general foreigner signups on the main site, though hiccups and problems are often reported. The main site was…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s Golf Quarantine on hold until Covid situation improves

    Thailand’s Golf Quarantine on hold until Covid situation improves

    Thailand’s “Golf Quarantine” is on hold until the Covid-19 situation improves, an alternative quarantine option at a certified golf resort. The postponement was first announced last month. Travellers who made arrangements prior to the announcement and have been granted a Certificate of Entry, or COE, can still enjoy the Thailand’s Golf Quarantine. The programme allows foreign golfers to undergo the…

  • Covid-19 News1 billion vaccines pledged by G7 to poor and developing nations

    1 billion vaccines pledged by G7 to poor and developing nations

    During the ongoing G7 meeting, leaders of the member nations have pledged to provide 1 billion Covid-19 vaccines to countries in need over the next 2 years. The summit taking place in Southwest England now vowed 5 million vaccines in the next few weeks and 100 million more within the next year. The need for wealthy nations to contribute to…

  • Covid-19 NewsAlpha variant of Covid-19 makes up 9 in 10 infections

    Alpha variant of Covid-19 makes up 9 in 10 infections

    The Department of Medical Sciences confirmed today that nearly 90% of all Covid-19 infections in Thailand are from the newly-labelled Alpha variant. The strain, previously known as the UK variant as it was first identified in the United Kingdom, was found in 88.48% of 4,185 cases that university labs studied between April and June, with 3,703 infections of the Alpha…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 2,290 cases and 27 deaths

    Friday Covid Update: 2,290 cases and 27 deaths

    2,290 cases were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the total number of cases since April 1, the latest and most severe wave of infections, to 160,965. The CCSA reported 27 more deaths related to Covid-19. 5,711 people have recovered from Covid-19. The number of active cases has been on a downward slope over the past…

  • EducationCCSA announces schools can reopen June 14 in most of Thailand

    CCSA announces schools can reopen June 14 in most of Thailand

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has announced today that schools all across Thailand will reopen for the new school year on June 14. In-person classes will resume throughout most of the nation, though in Bangkok and 3 surrounding provinces, all learning will be remote. After a meeting today, the CCSA announced the decision that they have given the go-ahead…

  • Covid-19 NewsMore than 300 people in 11 provinces infected with Delta Covid-19 variant

    More than 300 people in 11 provinces infected with Delta Covid-19 variant

    More than 300 people in 11 of Thailand’s 77 provinces have tested positive for the Delta variant of Covid-19, the mutated strain of the virus that was first detected in India. The vast majority of the cases have been in Bangkok, according to Thai Medical Sciences Department director-general Supakit Sirilak. Samples were taken from 4,185 Covid-19 patients. 3,703 of the…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 2,310 new cases, provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 2,310 new cases, provincial totals

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration recorded 2,310 new Covid-19 cases today and 43 coronavirus-related deaths, raising the total count since the start of the pandemic last year to 187,538 Covid-19 infections and Covid-related death toll to 1,375. There are now 46,876 active cases. The active case count has been steadily declining over the past few days after the wave…

  • World NewsTaiwan reports holdup on Thai-made AstraZeneca vaccine order

    Taiwan reports holdup on Thai-made AstraZeneca vaccine order

    Taiwan is expecting a holdup on its order of the Thai-made AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Malaysia and the Philippines have also reported that shipments of the vaccine from the Siam Bioscience manufacturing plant in Thailand have been delayed. Siam Bioscience, which is wholly owned by a subsidiary of the Crown Property Bureau, is planned to be the AstraZeneca distribution hub for…

  • World NewsBTS meal closes Indonesian McDonald’s amid Covid-19 fears

    BTS meal closes Indonesian McDonald’s amid Covid-19 fears

    McDonald’s in Indonesia was the site of a BTS-inspired frenzy that forced them to close at least 13 stores for fears of a Covid-19 outbreak. The world-famous Korean Pop band partnered with the world-famous American burger joint to make a BTS meal deal that had rabid K-Pop fans swarming the restaurants. After yesterday’s release of the BTS meal deal, 5…

  • Thailand NewsFines for not wearing face masks range from 1,000 baht to 20,000 baht

    Fines for not wearing face masks range from 1,000 baht to 20,000 baht

    In the latest and most severe wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, wearing a face mask is mandatory in public. Earlier announcements said those who do not wear a mask while in a public place could face a fine of up to 20,000 baht. An official revision of the rule was recently published in the Royal Gazette detailing the range of…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 2,310 new cases and 43 deaths

    Thursday Covid Update: 2,310 new cases and 43 deaths

    2,310 new Covid-19 infections were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation, raising the total count in the latest and most severe wave of the virus in Thailand to 158,675. The CCSA logged 43 more Covid-related deaths today, an increase over the past few days. Out of the new cases confirmed today, 102 were detected at correctional facilities. The…

  • Covid-19 NewsHi-So accused of dressing as taxi drivers to get vaccine

    Hi-So accused of dressing as taxi drivers to get vaccine

    After the Titanic sunk, rumours circulated that a man dressed as a woman to sneak about a lifeboat. While the rumour has never been proven as is mostly regarded as false, Bangkok Hi-So elites are being accused of a similar immoral disguise. Thai authorities say they will prosecute anyone, wealthy or otherwise, who is found dressing up as motorbike taxi…

  • Covid-19 NewsMedical examiners investigate death of woman who died after Covid-19 vaccination

    Medical examiners investigate death of woman who died after Covid-19 vaccination

    Health officials are investigating the death of a 46 year old woman in Bangkok who died after she was injected with the Covid-19 vaccine. The woman was injected with the AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday and died just after midnight today. The woman was inoculated yesterday at the Thai Business Administration Technological College, her niece told police. When she got home, she…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 2,680 new cases and 35 deaths

    Wednesday Covid Update: 2,680 new cases and 35 deaths

    2,680 new Covid-19 cases and 35 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections, 156,365 Covid infections have been reported in Thailand. Out of the new cases reported today, 280 were in Thai prisons. In the latest wave of infections, around 30,000 inmates have tested positive for Covid-19.…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 2,662 new cases and 28 deaths, provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 2,662 new cases and 28 deaths, provincial totals

    2,662 new Covid-19 cases and 28 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the start of the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has reported 153,685 Covid-19 cases. Out of the new cases reported today, 534 were reported in correctional facilities. Over the past month, more than a dozen Thai…

  • ExpatsMass vaccination campaign starts today, first phase includes foreigners in “at risk” groups

    Mass vaccination campaign starts today, first phase includes foreigners in “at risk” groups

    “All foreign nationals on Thai soil are included in the national vaccination programme.” Thailand’s nationwide mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign officially started today. For foreigners living in Thailand, those who are 60 years old and above as well as those with certain underlying health conditions, will be given priority during this phase of vaccinations. In Phuket and Koh Samui, tourist destinations…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 2,419 cases and 33 deaths, provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 2,419 cases and 33 deaths, provincial totals

    2,419 new Covid-19 cases and 33 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising Thailand’s cumulative case count since the start of the pandemic last year to 179,516 and the death toll to 1,269. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections, the CCSA has reported a total of 151,023 Covid-19 infections. Thailand now has 49,101 active…

  • Covid-19 NewsLoei postponing appointments due to shortage of vaccines

    Loei postponing appointments due to shortage of vaccines

    With a lot of good news on Covid-19 vaccines being received from China and being mass-produced in Thailand, things are starting to look up for Thailand’s alarmingly slow national vaccination efforts. But the province of Loei announced yesterday that they would be postponing appointments for vaccines due to a shortage of jabs available to them. The governor of Loei took…

  • Thailand NewsCompensation for side effects or death from Covid-19 vaccine

    Compensation for side effects or death from Covid-19 vaccine

    Though serious side effects and death from vaccination are exceedingly rare, the Thai National Health Security Office will provide compensation for those negatively affected by a Covid-19 vaccine. The plan calls for 100,000 baht compensation for anyone with an adverse vaccine reaction that prevents them from working for a while, up to 240,000 baht for disabilities resulting from vaccination, including…

  • Covid-19 News25 million Pfizer and J&J vaccines coming, millions ready now

    25 million Pfizer and J&J vaccines coming, millions ready now

    Thailand’s goal of giving 100 million vaccine shots by the end of 2021 may be met with the help of Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, as negotiations for 25 million vaccines are ongoing now. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha had set a goal of 100 million vaccines and later increasing it to 150 million jabs, but so far only 6 million Sinovac…

  • World NewsCovid-19 sees a rise in dangerous scams in India

    Covid-19 sees a rise in dangerous scams in India

    While Covid-19 was wreaking havoc across India, some devious scammers saw the desperation of a pandemic crisis as an opportunity. India has frequently been known to be a hotbed for ripoffs and scams, and the Coronavirus pandemic has only worsened the situation. In December an Indian call centre made US $14 million by cheating 4,500 Americans whom they tricked into…

  • Covid-19 NewsSiam Bioscience delivers 1.8 million local AstraZeneca vaccines

    Siam Bioscience delivers 1.8 million local AstraZeneca vaccines

    Well, it’s a start. Good news today for Thailand’s snail-paced rollercoaster of vaccine rollout as the Ministry of Public Health has taken possession of the first 1.8 million AstraZeneca vaccines produced domestically. The vaccines were manufactured in the Bangkok by Siam Bioscience and are slated to be an integral part of Thailand’s mass vaccination scheme officially launching next Monday. Siam…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE Friday: 2,631 new cases and 31 deaths, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE Friday: 2,631 new cases and 31 deaths, provincial totals

    2,631 new Covid-19 cases and 31 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has recorded 143,116 Covid-19 infections and 1,083 deaths. In total, there have been 171,979 Covid infections and 1,177 Covid-related deaths reported in Thailand since the pandemic started last year. Of the…

  • Covid-19 NewsUS President Biden pledges vaccines donation, 25 million to start

    US President Biden pledges vaccines donation, 25 million to start

    The UN-backed COVAX program, to help supply vaccines around the world, got a boost today as US President Biden vowed that America will donate 25 million vaccines to start. The donation would make up nearly 25% of all vaccines procured through the COVAX program to date. The UN effort seeks to bulk up vaccine supplies in Asia, Africa, and South…

  • Covid-19 NewsSiam Bioscience declares AstraZeneca vaccine ready to deliver

    Siam Bioscience declares AstraZeneca vaccine ready to deliver

    Much anticipated news came from Siam Bioscience yesterday, as the company announced that they are ready to begin deliveries of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the Thai government. The company was scheduled to provide over 60 million vaccines over the course of the year. The welcomed announcement came amidst frequent reporting of problems and delays in the production of the Covid-19…

  • Covid-19 NewsAmerican expats to US government: give us vaccines!

    American expats to US government: give us vaccines!

    With the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman, a collection of high-profile American expats living in Thailand released an open letter asking for Covid-19 vaccines. The letter pled with the US government to include arrangements to guarantee vaccines to all US expats in the kingdom. “Don’t abandon us! The US continues to have a growing vaccine…

  • Politics NewsUS Deputy Secretary of State pledges Covid-19 aid

    US Deputy Secretary of State pledges Covid-19 aid

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha met with United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman yesterday to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine situation. The US representative acknowledged Thailand’s struggle to procure and distribute vaccines to everyone in the country, observing that many countries are grappling with similar issues. She declared that the US has been pursuing a policy of procuring excess supplies…