COVID
- Thailand News
Thai team wins UN award for Covid-19 detection via wastewater
A research team from Chulalongkorn University clinched a United Nations Public Service Award (UNPSA) for Innovation in Public Institutions. This UN award was given for their work titled Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response during a recent ceremony in Seoul, South Korea. This award-winning study addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goals on health and well-being as well as clean…
- Covid-19 News
Most don’t need latest Covid-19 booster, says Thai virologist
Most people do not need a booster against the latest strain of Covid-19, except for vulnerable groups and the unvaccinated as symptoms are relatively mild, and the vaccine must be paid for, claimed a virologist. The virologist, from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University, Yong Poovorawan confirmed that the severity of the virus has consistently decreased,…
- Thailand News
Thai Airways’ sky-high comeback from bankruptcy brink
Thai Airways International revealed its anticipated completion of its ongoing restructuring saga, set to wrap up later this year, marking a remarkable turnaround since the tumultuous onset of the Covid-19 crisis in 2020. The Bangkok-based airline, ravaged by the pandemic’s economic fallout, embarked on this arduous journey to rein in its debts and reinvent its operational strategies amidst plummeting air…
- Business News
GSB plans debt moratorium for 630,000 debtors amid Covid-19 pandemic
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) is setting up a plan to provide a debt moratorium for 630,000 debtors, totalling 6.3 billion baht. This plan is in response to the economic hardship experienced by individuals and businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an anonymous source. During the pandemic, between 2020 and 2021, GSB, a state-owned entity, issued loans totalling…
- Covid-19 News
Thai GPO’s Covid-19 vaccine set for 2023 launch, targets 10 million doses annually
Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute (NVI) is making significant strides with its first domestically produced Covid-19 vaccine, HXP-GPOVac. The vaccine, currently in its third stage of clinical trials, is on track to conclude this phase by the end of the month. This development represents a crucial step forward for Thailand’s efforts to continually combat the pandemic. The vaccine’s production is overseen…
- Thailand News
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,…
- World News
Chinese citizen journalist who exposed early Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan to be released
Chinese citizen journalist who went missing three years ago after publicising videos of overcrowded hospitals and bodies during the Covid-19 outbreak is to be released, according to a relative and another person familiar with his case. Fang Bin, along with other members of the public known as Chinese citizen journalists, posted details of the pandemic in early 2020 on the…
- World News
Singapore sees first Covid vaccine death
The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore announced the death of a 28-year-old Bangladeshi man, likely related to a Covid-19 vaccine. He died away 21 days after receiving the Moderna/Spikevax vaccine. The State Coroner has confirmed that the cause of death was myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. The MOH has also stated that the man’s death was a “medical…
- Covid-19 News
Covid cases down, international arrivals up
Good news for tourism, bad news for Covid-19: international travellers have surged while infection figures have actually declined. After Thailand relaxed its immigration measures, the number of tourists visiting has seen a steady increase. With extra fears due to Chinese tourism reopening amidst a major Covid wave there, the number of new cases in Thailand has been going down. According…
- China News
China reports 70% drop in severe Covid cases and fatalities
China’s government says the number of severe Covid-19 cases and coronavirus-related deaths has dropped by over 70% since peaking earlier this month. More specifically, the government says critically ill cases have dropped by 72%, while covid-related fatalities have dropped by 79% from their respective peaks. According to Reuters, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the figures on…
- Tourism News
Aussie visitors to Phuket reach almost 90% of pre-Covid level
The number of Australians visiting Phuket has reached almost 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to Australian Consul-General to Phuket, Matthew Barclay. The news comes as Barclay met with Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew at Provincial Hall. Barclay told the Phuket News… “It’s clear that 2023 will be a significant year for Phuket. The meeting was a great opportunity to discuss the…
- Thailand News
Peace Corps return to Thailand Post-Covid
On Friday, the Peace Corps in Thailand saw the return of 52 American volunteers, who will be serving alongside community members throughout the country. This marks the first time since the evacuation of volunteers in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The evacuation of volunteers in 2020 was a historical moment as it marked the first time in the…
- China News
China’s air travel regulator to allow airlines to fly more routes to US
China’s air travel regulator is gearing up to allow more routes to the United States after the country lifted its strict anti-virus travel restrictions this month. According to The Korea Times, China Central Television reported on its website that the US and Chinese airlines are among around 40 carriers that have submitted applications covering about 700 flights per week involving 34…
- China News
China defends its Covid death reporting rates while allegedly banning photos, videos of Tibetan cemeteries
China is defending itself against World Health Organisation (WHO) claims that its reported Covid-19 death rates are inaccurate. Chinese health officials say that it is ‘not necessary’ to dwell on the exact number of Covid-related deaths in the country. But, a news report by Radio Free Asia says that the government is allegedly banning photos and videos of cemeteries in Tibet.…
- Covid-19 News
Bangkok City Hall assesses Covid readiness
With travel increases to Thailand, and with the reopening of China, comes the risk of spreading Covid-19. Bangkok City Hall is taking steps to ensure that visitors can enjoy their stay while keeping themselves and others safe as they brace for an influx of tourists. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt tasked his deputy governors with conducting a full assessment of the…
- Tourism News
Chinese tourists trickling in after reopening
With a back and forth over Covid-19 restrictions, as China opens its doors for its citizens to travel outbound again, the wave of the coveted Chinese tourist demographic has been nothing more than a trickle. The first arrivals in three years on a direct flight from China to Thailand landed in Bangkok on January 8, with 200 enthusiastic travellers. After Covid…
- Covid-19 News
Covid travel restrictions return tomorrow
It’s probably just a coincidence, but just as China is easing their travel blocks and allowing its citizens to travel abroad, Covid-19 travel restrictions are officially back. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has recently announced a set of rules that will apply to all non-Thai arrivals between January 9 and 31. These rules come as the country anticipates…
- Tourism News
Indian travel slowing due to new restrictions
The massive Indian demographic for Thai tourism has been slowing due to new Covid-19 travel restrictions the Indian government has implemented. Travellers returning from Thailand are now required to take an RT-PCR test, an expensive inconvenience that is discouraging many from travelling. The so-called meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) segment and independent travellers have been particularly put off by…
- China News
China threatens retaliation over restrictions on Chinese tourists
China is striking back as governments around the world are making policies for Chinese tourists entering their countries. A massive Covid-19 wave has been surging through the mainland, but January 8 reopening plans are still in place allowing a huge tourism demographic of Chinese tourists to flock to holiday destinations worldwide. But not only that! China is threatening countermeasures against…
- Tourism News
Call for Covid boosters before wave of Chinese tourism
To prepare for an influx of Chinese tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is encouraging all employees in the tourism sector to get a Covid-19 booster shot. China has experienced a giant wave of infections since it abandoned its zero-Covid policy but the mainland still intends to open its borders to allow citizens to travel abroad next week. Many…
- Tourism News
Chinese tourists may bring growing pains to the Thai travel industry
While people in the tourism and entertainment sector are celebrating China’s announcement to reopen and allow outgoing travel, others have raised fears about the potential problems that could come with an influx of Chinese tourists. Some fear an overwhelming surge of Chinese tourists flooding Thailand’s hotspots. Others worry that the healthcare systems in Thailand could be overburdened by the influx…
- Covid-19 News
King and Queen cleared of Covid-19 infection
His Royal Majesty King Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana have now recovered after being infected with the Covid-19 virus. The Bureau of the Royal Household had originally reported their infection on December 17. They now report that Their Majesties can now safely return to their royal duties after a full recovery. The original statement was issued on December 17 after the king and queen were…
- China News
China releases first Covid fatality rates after loosening restrictions
China is reporting its first fatality rates after the recent loosening of Covid restrictions. According to CNBC, three people died over the weekend after contracting Covid-19 marking the first fatalities since the last report in May. All three were aged 87 to 91 and lived in Beijing. Last Sunday alone, Beijing reported more than 26,000 infections, both symptomatic and asymptomatic.…
- Covid-19 News
King and Queen test positive for Covid-19
His Royal Majesty King Vajiralongkorn and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana have been infected with the Covid-19 virus. The announcement was made today by the Bureau of the Royal Household, according to Prachachat. The statement was issued after the king and queen were administered Covid screening tests late yesterday evening. It is common for them to be tested regularly for the…
- Covid-19 News
UK summons Chinese ambassador after BBC journalist arrested covering Covid protests
After the arrest and alleged assault of BBC journalist Ed Lawrence, the UK has summoned the Chinese ambassador to London. The foreign office called in Zheng Zeguang over Lawrence’s arrest in Shanghai, while he was covering the Covid-19 protests. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called the alleged arrest and assault “deeply disturbing” while telling reporters that it is incredibly important to…
- Tourism News
Why aren’t tourists returning to Khao San Road?
The past few years have been dark for tourism in Thailand and around the world. The Covid-19 global pandemic closed borders and killed tourism in so many crucial areas. Khao San Road, the vibrant, bustling backpacker haven of Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok quickly fell into a desolate ghost town. Now, the last pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the…
- Covid-19 News
Masks recommended in crowds amid Covid increase
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Covid-19 pandemic it’s that people just absolutely love wearing masks. They can’t wait to start wearing them when outbreaks occur, and they look forward to wearing them regularly for the foreseeable future. For those of you who love wearing masks, the Ministry of Public Health advised yesterday that, in crowded places, wearing…
- China News
China’s Covid numbers hit record high
The number of Covid-19 cases in China has hit a record high, major news outlets reported today. Yesterday, the country recorded 31,527 cases while Beijing recorded its fourth Covid-related death since last weekend. China’s previous Covid peak had been around 28,000 cases when Shanghai was locked down. Virus cases are being recorded in 31 provinces. Officials have tried to avoid…
- Covid-19 News
Thai FDA to go after misleading ads for nasal spray supposedly preventing Covid
Thailand’s FDA is going after misleading ads that make it appear that a nasal spray can prevent or heal Covid-19. The FDA is currently gathering evidence to take legal action. The FDA’s deputy secretary-general said today that Besuto Qlears nasal spray has an instruction for people to use it when they develop cold or flu-like symptoms. The deputy secretary-general said…
- Hot News
THAI Airways makes resurgence with addition of nine more aeroplanes next year
THAI Airways International Plc (THAI), is making a resurgence after it says 60% of its pre-pandemic fleet has resumed service. The company says nine more aeroplanes will be in service next year as the country’s flag carrier says an increase in travel has helped the ailing carrier. Thai Smile Airways, a subsidiary of THAI has also made a resurgence as…
