Coronavirus
- Thailand News
End-of-quarantine party for 28 Thais who returned from Myanmar
An end-of-quarantine party was held for 28 Thais who were just released from quarantine after returning to Chiang Rai from Myanmar. Not many details were reported about the event, just that it was a ceremony at a riverside resort with the provincial governor Prajon Prachsakul… Definitely a lot different than the parties just across the border in Tachileik. Many Thai…
- Covid-19 News
CCSA starts study to determine if quarantine should be shortened
Covid-19 testing during the mandatory quarantine period for arrivals has been increased from twice to thrice in an effort to determine if quarantine can be shortened from 14 to 10 days. The study will last until January 15, according to spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Thaweesilp Visanuyothin. Travellers were typically tested around 3 to 5 days after…
- Covid-19 News
20 new Covid-19 cases detected in quarantine
20 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Thailand’s total number of confirmed cases is raised to 4,281 with 3,989 recoveries and 60 deaths. 232 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. 5 Thai men, ages 33 to 42, and a 42 year old Indian man travelling from India tested…
- Covid-19 News
Covid-19 found on doorknobs at quarantine facility where health workers tested positive
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has confirmed that traces of the virus have been found on doorknobs at an alternative state quarantine facility, where a number of healthcare workers tested positive. CCSA spokesman Taweesin Wissanuyothin has called on cleaning staff in the facility to disinfect door handles and not just floors. Yesterday, Thailand reported 15 new cases in quarantine,…
- Thailand News
Recover from Covid-19, then go to jail: Illegal returnees could face charges
After they recover from Covid-19, at least 3 Thai women who crossed the border illegally from Myanmar’s Tachileik will face criminal charges, according to Provincial police Region 5 commissioner Prachuap Wongsuk. If found guilty, the returnees could go to jail. The Thai women worked at entertainment venues at the border town, many at the now-infamous 1G1-7 Hotel, a so-called “Covid-19…
- Covid-19 News
9 new Covid-19 cases detected in quarantine
9 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine including a 6 month old boy, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Thailand’s total number of confirmed cases is raised to 4,246 with 3,949 recoveries and 60 deaths. 237 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. A 6 month old British boy travelling from the United Kingdom tested…
- Covid-19 News
Thai Covid-19 experimental vaccine to proceed to human testing from April 2021
A Thai start-up developing an experimental Covid-19 vaccine is said to be making good progress, with the candidate passing testing on laboratory animals. Baiya Phytopharm, a Thai firm developing a vaccine from plant leaves, is to sign an agreement to begin production for use in human trials. Thewin Wongwanich, from the State Enterprise Development Planning Subcommittee, says the firm is…
- World News
Chiang Rai officials insist province is now safe to visit
Officials in the northern province of Chiang Rai are assuring potential tourists from the rest of the Kingdom that it is safe to visit, saying the Covid-19 situation is under control. Chiang Rai hit the headlines in recent weeks, when a number of Thai nationals entered the province illegally from Myanmar. After bypassing health checks and quarantine, several subsequently tested…
- Covid-19 News
27 new Covid-19 cases in quarantine, 1 health worker infected by patient
1 local Covid-19 transmission was reported today and 27 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. It’s the largest daily rise in cases since April. The total number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand is raised to 4,237 with 3,940 recoveries and 60 deaths. 237 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the…
- World News
25 Burmese arrested for allegedly crossing the Thai-Myanmar border illegally
Military and police patrol arrested 25 Burmese people for allegedly crossing the Thai-Myanmar border illegally to Kanchanaburi’s Muang district. With Covid-19 cases rising by more than 1,000 each day in the neighbouring country, some Thais fear that migrants crossing the border illegally, avoiding the mandatory 14 day quarantine, could potentially spread the virus to people in Thailand. Covid-19 fears were…
- Covid-19 News
Covid overshadows New Year’s plans for many – Dusit poll
As if 2020 wasn’t bad enough, many Thais say ringing in the New Year will be overshadowed by Covid-19 concerns, followed by financial woes and the overall world economy. The Suan Dusit Rajabhat University Poll, asked for opinions on the matter from 1,277 people nationwide on December 4 through December 10, to gauge their New Year’s travel plans. Each respondent…
- Northern Thailand News
Returnees from Myanmar account for 9 of 17 new Covid infections today
Today, Thailand has reported 17 new cases of the novel coronavirus found in people entering Thailand from other countries, with 9 infected returnees coming from Myanmar through the Mae Sai district in northern Chiang Rai. All 9 were women who had worked at nightspots in Tachilek, the Burmese border town, featuring the now infamous 1G1-7 Hotel, which was the site…
- Covid-19 News
US approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine
The US has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, a situation that now permits the rollout of the new mRNA coronavirus vaccine. President Donald Trump promised the first immunisations will now take place “in less than 24 hours”, hailing the development. “Through our partnership with FedEx and UPS, we have already begun shipping the vaccine to every state and zip code…
- World News
Health officials say all Covid patients in Thailand have been accounted for
The head of Thailand’s Disease Control Department says all Covid-19 cases across 7 provinces where infected returnees from Myanmar travelled, have now been accounted for. Opas Karnkawinpong says Thailand now has a total of 49 cases linked to Thai nationals who crossed illegally from Myanmar, bypassing health checks and quarantine. “So far, 49 cases have been found to be related…
- Covid-19 News
11 new Covid-19 cases detected in quarantine
11 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is raised to 4,180 with 3,903 recoveries and 60 deaths. 217 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. 2 Thai women, ages 34 and 16, travelling from Saudi Arabia tested positive for Covid-19. 2 Thai…
- World News
Chiang Rai governor leads clean-up operation amid Covid fears
Chiang Rai governor, Prajon Prachsakul, has led a clean-up operation across public areas and tourist attractions such as shopping malls, Chiang Rai Airport, Singha Park and the border checkpoint at Mae Sai. It follows the recent discovery of a number of infected Thai nationals who had illegally crossed from Myanmar, bypassing health checks and quarantine. At least 34 illegal returnees…
- Covid-19 News
Bangkok officials relay additional info on infected healthcare workers
With the announcement of a sixth Bangkok nurse testing positive for Covid-19, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration have provided more details of the timelines around the first 5 infections. All of the patients are healthcare workers at alternative state quarantine facilities. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang from the BMA says it’s believed they became infected in the course of their work, adding that their…
- Covid-19 News
Sixth Bangkok nurse tests positive for Covid-19, 17 new cases in quarantine
A sixth Bangkok nurse tested positive for Covid-19. The nurse works at BNH Hospital in Bangkok were at least 4 other staff members tested positive for the virus. Health officials suspect the first infected nurse contracted the virus while working at an alternative state quarantine facility. They say she failed to wear her protective gear properly while screening arrivals. Health…
- Covid-19 News
Covid-19 infected nurses are staff at Bangkok’s BNH Hospital
Although reports are fairly vague about the recent Covid-19 cases involving Bangkok medical workers, BNH Hospital confirms that 4 of its staff members tested positive for the coronavirus. The hospital says preventative measures are in place to make sure the hospital is “infection free,” but adds that those concerned with visiting the hospital can do a consultation online. The hospital…
- World News
Thai medic claims Burmese coronavirus a different strain, spreads 20% faster
Dr Prasit Watanapa from the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital says the coronavirus currently circulating in Myanmar is a different strain and is being transmitted 20% faster than the one detected in Wuhan at the start of the pandemic. The Wuhan strain is known as D614, whereas the more virulent strain currently found in Western countries is G614. Prasit…
- Covid-19 News
5 Bangkok nurses positive for Covid-19, health officials say infections are “contained”
5 nurses in Bangkok have tested positive for Covid-19, but health officials assure the public that the infections are “contained.” A 25 year old nurse initially caught the virus while working at an alternative quarantine, or ASQ, facility and is believed to have transmitted the virus to her colleagues after work while out to eat, according to the Disease Control…
- Covid-19 News
46 Covid-19 cases related to Tachileik, health officials say situation is “under control”
With a significant number of people returning to Chiang Rai from the border town Tachileik and testing positive for Covid-19, health officials say the situation is “under control” and it is safe to travel to Chiang Rai and other northern provinces. Only 2 people out of the more than 6,500 people considered to be “at risk” of infection have tested…
- Covid-19 News
25 new Covid-19 cases detected in quarantine including 7 returning from Myanmar
25 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine including 7 Thai women who worked in entertainment venues in Myanmar, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. It’s the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases in Thailand since April 25, according to Worldometers. Thailand’s total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is raised to 4,151 with 3,880 recoveries and 60 deaths.…
- Visa Information
Kiss the high season goodbye – Thailand’s long wait continues
Just as last year’s high season was wrapping up, the Covid-19 pandemic became real and much of the world closed borders back in March. Thailand hoteliers, tour operators and airlines had to endure a very quiet low season, obviously a lot lower than usual. But with the next high season upon us the prospects of a sudden surge of tourists…
- Covid-19 News
Health minister blasts illegal returnees, downplays epidemic rumours
The Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has slammed a group of Thai nationals who crossed the border from Myanmar illegally, bypassing health checks and quarantine. At least 10 Thai women employed at a hotel and entertainment complex in Myanmar have tested positive for Covid-19 since their illegal return to the Kingdom. Thailand now has a total of 39 cases linked…
- Covid-19 News
Business owners plan to sue Covid-19 infected women who entered Thailand illegally
Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai business owners are planning to sue the Thai women who crossed the Thai-Myanmar border illegally, evading quarantine and testing positive for Covid-19 shortly after their return. The women worked at entertainment venues in the border town Tachileik. Many confirmed that they worked at the now-infamous 1G1-7 Hotel where a resident claims the women were prostitutes…
- Thailand News
4 health care workers in Bangkok test positive for Covid-19
4 health care workers tested positive for Covid-19 after working at alternative state quarantine facilities and hospitals in Bangkok. The medical personnel, ages 25 to 40, tested positive on December 4 and 5 after reporting symptoms of a fever and headache. Public health officials are investigating the cases to see if there were any slip-ups in quarantine protocols. Medical personnel…
- World News
Air Asia to focus on ASEAN expansion, as CEO expresses cautious optimism for 2021
Air Asia’s chief executive, Tony Fernandes, says the low-cost carrier is planning to expand its presence in Southeast Asia and is in talks to form 3 new airlines. He points out that people still want to travel, and that demand makes him hopeful air travel could be back to its pre-Covid numbers within 6 – 12 months. “At the right…
- World News
Passengers from Chiang Rai-Bangkok flights considered “low-risk”
Passengers from 4 flights between Chiang Rai and Bangkok are considered at “low risk” of contracting Covid-19, according to a statement from the Public Health Ministry. However, the ministry is asking all passengers to self-monitor for the next 14 days, and report symptoms such as fever, a cough, sore throat, or a loss of taste or smell immediately. The 4…
- Covid-19 News
Numbers go up: 38 local Covid-19 cases now related to Myanmar border town
So far, 38 local Covid-19 cases are related to Myanmar’s border town Tachileik. A second hospital in Chiang Rai is now prepared to treat patients for the coronavirus as 6 more returnees in quarantine tested have positive for the virus and more cases are expected. Many of the cases are linked to the now-infamous 1G1-7 Hotel in Tachileik. The venue…
