covid-19 thailand

  • Covid-19 NewsAt least 2,700 Covid-19 patients in Bangkok waiting to be admitted

    At least 2,700 Covid-19 patients in Bangkok waiting to be admitted

    The director of Bangkok’s Erawan Centre says there are at least 2,700 Covid-19 patients waiting to be sent to pre-admission centres. According to Pornthep Saeheng, the centre’s main role is to have all patients, whether seriously ill, asymptomatic, or experiencing mild symptoms, sent to 25 pre-admission centres across the capital. Patients who are moderately or seriously ill will be admitted…

  • Bangkok News3 bodies found in Bangkok streets, 2 positive for Covid-19, result pending for third

    3 bodies found in Bangkok streets, 2 positive for Covid-19, result pending for third

    Netizens have slammed Bangkok police, claiming that the bodies of 3 men who died separately on the streets of the capital were left uncollected for hours. The Metropolitan Police Bureau has called for understanding, insisting that the claims on social media are untrue. According to a Bangkok Post report, spokesman Piya Tawichai says 2 of the 3 bodies have tested…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment does an about-face, will hold talks to join Covax

    Government does an about-face, will hold talks to join Covax

    In a significant U-turn, the Thai government says it’s prepared to hold talks to join Covax, the global initiative that aims to ensure equal access to vaccines. Thailand famously became the only Southeast Asian nation not to join when it had the opportunity to do so last year. At the time, government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri said Thailand preferred to sign…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealthcare workers to be prioritised for Pfizer vaccine from next month

    Healthcare workers to be prioritised for Pfizer vaccine from next month

    The head of the Department of Disease Control says the country’s healthcare workers will be first in line for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from August. Opas Karnkawinpong says a donation of 1.5 million doses from the US government is expected to arrive at the end of this month. In a separate deal, the government has signed a procurement contract to…

  • Phuket NewsPhang Nga and Krabi hope to re-open to foreign tourists under “Andaman Sandbox”

    Phang Nga and Krabi hope to re-open to foreign tourists under “Andaman Sandbox”

    On August 1, the Tourism Authority of Thailand hopes to launch the “Andaman Sandbox”, allowing the southern provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi to re-open to foreign tourism. The model is similar to the Phuket Sandbox and the Samui Plus model launched earlier this month. Yuthasak Supasorn from the TAT says the Andaman Sandbox proposal goes before the Centre for…

  • Covid-19 NewsOpposition MP slams government over AstraZeneca procurement failure

    Opposition MP slams government over AstraZeneca procurement failure

    An MP from the opposition Pheu Thai Party has blasted the government for not disclosing the details of the AstraZeneca procurement contract. Yutthapong Charasathien is demanding that Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul remove the head of the Department of Disease Control over the failings, accusing him of mismanaging vaccine procurement and allocation. The Bangkok Post reports that during a meeting…

  • Covid-19 NewsUnused Thai schools to be transformed into field hospitals as infections surge

    Unused Thai schools to be transformed into field hospitals as infections surge

    Empty or unused school buildings across Thailand are to be converted into field hospitals as Covid-19 cases surge and the hospital bed crisis continues. Amporn Pinasa from the Office of the Basic Education Commission has issued an order for all unused buildings to be repurposed as makeshift field hospitals to increase the number of treatment facilities available. With hospitals in…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand in talks with manufacturers of second-generation vaccines

    Thailand in talks with manufacturers of second-generation vaccines

    A spokesman for the Thai government says talks are ongoing with manufacturers of second-generation vaccines that can handle virus mutations. According to a Bangkok Post report, Anucha Burapachaisri says such vaccines are vital in order to effectively control the pandemic, as strains such as the Delta variant take over. In addition to holding talks with manufacturers of second-generation vaccines aimed…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment insists it can meet target of 10 million vaccine doses a month

    Government insists it can meet target of 10 million vaccine doses a month

    The Thai government says it has enough doses of the AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines to meet its target of 10 million doses a month administered in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. According to a Bangkok Post report, Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control says officials will ramp up the number of doses administered in high-risk areas, adding that nearly…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai PM returns to Government House after third negative Covid test

    Thai PM returns to Government House after third negative Covid test

    The Thai PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, does not have Covid-19 and returns to work at Government House today. The PM had been self-isolating for 14 days after coming into contact with Veerasak Pisanuwong from the Surin Chamber of Commerce, while visiting Phuket for the island’s sandbox re-opening on July 1. Veerasak subsequently tested positive for the virus. The Bangkok Post reports…

  • World NewsCovid-19 crisis unfolding across several Asian nations

    Covid-19 crisis unfolding across several Asian nations

    Just as the US and Europe are gradually emerging from the devastation brought by Covid-19, the pandemic is wreaking havoc across Asia. Earlier this week, Indonesia overtook India as the epicentre of the virus, reporting over 54,000 new infections and 991 deaths in a single day. Just a month ago, daily new infections were averaging 8,000. Indonesian officials are concerned…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid-19 update: 9,692 new infections, 67 deaths

    Friday Covid-19 update: 9,692 new infections, 67 deaths

    Today, Thailand has reported another 9,692 new Covid-19 cases and 67 Covid-related deaths. 615 of the new infections are in Thai prisons. More details to come later. As infections continue to surge and concerns mount over the highly-contagious Delta variant, the Thai government is considering limiting exports of locally produced AstraZeneca doses. The National Vaccine Institute and the Department of…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand to purchase another 120 million vaccine doses for next year

    Thailand to purchase another 120 million vaccine doses for next year

    Thailand’s National Vaccine Committee has approved the purchase of an additional 120 million vaccine doses for 2022. However, it has yet to approve a draft announcement on the export of AstraZeneca doses manufactured in Thailand, due to concerns over insufficient doses for Thai citizens. Thai PBS World reports that Nakorn Premsri from the National Vaccine Institute says the extra 120…

  • Covid-19 News1 million additional vaccine doses being purchased for Bangkok residents

    1 million additional vaccine doses being purchased for Bangkok residents

    The Thai government has pledged to purchase an additional 1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses for Bangkok residents in the coming 2 weeks. Apisamai Srirangson from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says the plan is to vaccinate 70% of the capital’s residents, but to date only 43.6% have been vaccinated. The Bangkok Post reports that the Disease Control Department will…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment forging ahead with mixed vaccines, amid doubts and confusion

    Government forging ahead with mixed vaccines, amid doubts and confusion

    The Thai government plans to go ahead with a proposal to combine vaccines from different manufacturers, in an effort to boost immunity against the Delta variant. The move comes after a World Health Organisation scientist warned against the practice, raising concerns among the Thai public. Following reports that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha was questioning the decision, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri has…

  • Phuket NewsGovernment dismisses rumours of Phuket sandbox collapse as “fake news”

    Government dismisses rumours of Phuket sandbox collapse as “fake news”

    The government says the Phuket sandbox scheme is going “very well”, describing rumours of its imminent demise as, “fake news”. According to a Bangkok Post report, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchan from the Centre for Economic Situation Administration says the only thing threatening the sandbox scheme is false reporting on social media that claims the island has been ordered to close due to…

  • Economy News42-billion-baht aid package to cushion the financial impact of Covid restrictions

    42-billion-baht aid package to cushion the financial impact of Covid restrictions

    The government will provide a 42-billion-baht aid package for businesses and individuals affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions in the 10 “dark red” provinces. The Bangkok Post reports that 30 billion baht of the relief package will come from the government’s loan decree, while the other 12 billion will come from the national budget. The provinces of Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom,…

  • Covid-19 News2 Bangkok hospitals allowing foreigners to register for Covid-19 vaccination

    2 Bangkok hospitals allowing foreigners to register for Covid-19 vaccination

    UPDATE: The Thaiger has been informed that registration is open for 5 days only @ 100 people a day only. We would also urge people to understand that these vaccines are not in the country at this time and that people may be asked to pre-pay for the service. Following the decommissioning of the bug-ridden Thailandintervac.com website, expats in Thailand…

  • Covid-19 NewsPrivate hospitals call on government to cover costs of caring for Covid patients

    Private hospitals call on government to cover costs of caring for Covid patients

    Thailand’s private hospitals say that if the government would help cover the medical costs of Covid-19 patients, private facilities could help ease the burden on the public health system. The Bangkok Post reports that Pongpat Patanavanich from TPP Healthcare International, which owns MedPark Hospital, says medical costs at private hospitals are too high for those with limited budgets. According to…

  • Covid-19 NewsWorld Health Organisation warns against “dangerous trend” of mixing Covid vaccines

    World Health Organisation warns against “dangerous trend” of mixing Covid vaccines

    A chief scientist at the World Health Organisation has warned against an emerging practice of mixing Covid-19 vaccines. Speaking during an online briefing, Soumya Swaminathan described the practice of combining vaccines from different manufacturers as a, “dangerous trend”. She says a lack of safety data means countries should refrain from random decision-making on vaccine boosters and combinations. “It’s a little…

  • Covid-19 NewsStudy shows antibodies drop by 50% every 40 days after 2 doses of Sinovac

    Study shows antibodies drop by 50% every 40 days after 2 doses of Sinovac

    A study carried out by the faculty of medicine at Thammasat University and the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology has found that antibodies halve every 40 days after 2 doses of the Sinovac vaccine. Researcher Anan Jongkaewwattana says 500 people who received both doses of the Chinese vaccine took part in the study. The findings confirmed that their…

  • Phuket NewsTougher checks for visitors arriving on Phuket from high-risk provinces

    Tougher checks for visitors arriving on Phuket from high-risk provinces

    As the southern island of Phuket grapples to keep its “sandbox” scheme running amid rising Covid-19 infections, tougher controls are being introduced for domestic visitors. From Thursday, until the end of the month, arrivals from the 10 “maximum controlled and restricted” and the 24 “maximum controlled” provinces, will need to meet stricter criteria if they want to visit Phuket. According…

  • Economy NewsJP Morgan includes Thailand in 5 economies most at risk from Delta variant

    JP Morgan includes Thailand in 5 economies most at risk from Delta variant

    The investment banking firm JP Morgan says there are 5 emerging economies that are most vulnerable to the Delta variant – and Thailand is one of them. According to a Reuters report, the others are South Africa, Colombia, the Philippines, and Peru. The primary reason given for these findings is the low rate of vaccination, with analysts comparing the pace…

  • Covid-19 NewsStricter Covid restrictions likely for Bangkok, other “at-risk” provinces

    Stricter Covid restrictions likely for Bangkok, other “at-risk” provinces

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration meets today to consider a number of tougher restrictions aimed at flattening the curve of new infections in Bangkok and a number of other provinces. Yesterday, cases reached a record high of 7,058, with 75 Covid-related deaths. According to a Bangkok Post report, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says the government, which is still resisting the…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid-19 update: 7,058 new infections, 75 deaths

    Thursday Covid-19 update: 7,058 new infections, 75 deaths

    Thailand records a depressing new high today, with a record 7,058 new infections and 75 Covid-related deaths. 68 infections are from Thai prisons. This is the highest number of new cases and deaths this month, as concern grows over the highly contagious Delta variant, which is expected to become the dominant strain in the Kingdom by the end of the…

  • Koh Samui NewsKoh Samui hopes to attract 2,000 tourists in first month of re-opening

    Koh Samui hopes to attract 2,000 tourists in first month of re-opening

    The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui is paying great attention to how the Phuket sandbox scheme unfolds and hoping it succeeds. According to a Bangkok Post report, Ratchaporn Poolsawadee says the Samui Plus scheme could attract 2,000 guests in its first month if some rules can be eased. “Besides the virus situation on our islands and the…

  • Bangkok NewsLockdown not out of the question: CCSA

    Lockdown not out of the question: CCSA

    Will they, won’t they – it’s the question on everyone’s lips as Bangkok residents wait to hear if officials will lock down the capital in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. Natthapol Nakpanich from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has not ruled it out, saying the CCSA is prepared to consider all options as new cases…

  • Covid-19 NewsCabinet approves Pfizer purchase, plus another 10.9 million Sinovac doses

    Cabinet approves Pfizer purchase, plus another 10.9 million Sinovac doses

    The Thai Cabinet has given the go-ahead for the purchase of 20 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, along with another 10.9 million doses of Sinovac. According to a Bangkok Post report, the PM’s spokesman Anucha Burapachasri says the budget for the Sinovac purchase would come from the executive decree loan and would not exceed 6.1 billion baht. The…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid update: 6,519 new infections+, 54 deaths

    Wednesday Covid update: 6,519 new infections+, 54 deaths

    Today, Thailand records another bleak milestone in its ongoing battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. The 6,519 new cases reported today are the highest number of daily infections since May 17, when over 9,000 cases were reported. The big difference is that the vast majority of those were in Thai prisons. Just 55 of today’s new cases are from Thai prisons.…

  • Covid-19 News1.5 million Pfizer doses donated by US to go to senior citizens, pregnant women

    1.5 million Pfizer doses donated by US to go to senior citizens, pregnant women

    The Thai government plans to administer 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to people over the age of 60 and to pregnant women. Priority will be given to those in areas with high rates of infection. The doses have been donated to Thailand by the US government. According to a Nation Thailand report, a leaked memo shows that…