COVID

  • Covid-19 NewsThai Omicron cases surpass 100, world tightens restrictions

    Thai Omicron cases surpass 100, world tightens restrictions

    The Omicron variant of Covid-19 has now been detected in 95 countries and Thailand has not escaped unscathed. 104 Omicron variant infections have now been uncovered in Thailand according to the CCSA with the first local transmission recently discovered. Most of the cases of the new variant are currently receiving treatment though some have recovered already, according to the Department…

  • Covid-19 NewsIsraeli who escaped with Covid-19 now in custody in Koh Samui

    Israeli who escaped with Covid-19 now in custody in Koh Samui

    After a national manhunt was launched to track him down, a 29 year old Israeli tourist who escaped his arrival hotel before his positive Covid-19 test results came back has turned himself in on the island of Koh Samui. The man had landed in Bangkok December 17 and had left before his test results arrived confirming that he had the…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Ministry: test for Omicron variant before the holidays

    Health Ministry: test for Omicron variant before the holidays

    Headache? Coughing? Fatigue? Better get tested! The Ministry of Public Health is encouraging the people of Thailand to get tested for Covid-19 before the upcoming holiday period to try to detect, contain, and prevent the spread of the Omicron variant. The ministry asked everyone to check themselves and to be aware of the many symptoms that could possibly be attributed…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 2,532 cases; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 2,532 cases; provincial totals

    31 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,471 with 21,377 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 2,532 new Covid-19 cases and 3,191 recoveries. There are now 38,202 people in Thailand being…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 2,476 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 2,476 new cases; provincial totals

    32 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,440 with 21,346 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 2,476 new Covid-19 cases and 3,649 recoveries. There are now 38,892 people in Thailand being…

  • Covid-19 News3 passengers test positive for Omicron when they arrive on Koh Samui

    3 passengers test positive for Omicron when they arrive on Koh Samui

    Three recent arrivals on the Gulf island of Koh Samui have been detected with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 – 2 British citizens and 1 Belgian. The 3 include a 54 year old British woman, a 55 year old Belgian man and a 56 year old British man. The 3 new cases are the first, not only for the holiday…

  • Thailand NewsThai officials to review list of low risk countries, possibly ban travellers from high risk

    Thai officials to review list of low risk countries, possibly ban travellers from high risk

    In addition to discussing whether to cancel the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme due to the uptick in Omicron cases, the Thai government will also review its list of countries considered to be at low risk for Covid-19 and consider whether to ban travellers from high risk countries. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told Thai media today that the…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 2,525 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 2,525 new cases; provincial totals

    31 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,408 with 21,314 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 2,525 new Covid-19 cases and 4,190 recoveries. There are now 40,097 people in Thailand being…

  • Phuket News5 Omicron variant infections identified in Phuket

    5 Omicron variant infections identified in Phuket

    Phuket province has now identified 5 cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 according to health officials on the island. All 5 infections were identified from the RT-PCR test that all international arrivals are administered as soon as they land in Thailand. The Omicron infections were found in people who arrived on December 13 and December 14. One infection was…

  • Covid-19 NewsSUNDAY COVID-19: 22 deaths, daily infections below 3,000

    SUNDAY COVID-19: 22 deaths, daily infections below 3,000

    Today, total Covid-19 infections dipped below 3,000 for just the second time since the surge seen from the third wave of Covid-19 beginning in April. December 14 was the first time this occurred as daily infection numbers have been steadily falling. The CCSA reported 2,899 new Covid-19 infections, down 233 since yesterday, and 22 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 6 from yesterday.…

  • Covid-19 NewsIs Omicron less or more dangerous than earlier Covid variants?

    Is Omicron less or more dangerous than earlier Covid variants?

    A month after the first cases of the Covid-19 variant, Omicron, were officially detected in South Africa, we know a bit more about the potential dangers, but not a lot. Anecdotally, there have been plenty of doctors saying that the new variant appears to produce milder symptoms than earlier variants, as is often the case with these viruses. But they…

  • Tourism NewsBritish Airways cancels over 2,000 flights including Bangkok

    British Airways cancels over 2,000 flights including Bangkok

    In the face of the spread of Covid-19 as infections surge in the UK, British Airways have suspended all their flights travelling to Bangkok until October of next year. Rumours began circulating about the possible cancellation earlier this week with popular travel sites speculating about the major airline suspending the route. Many passengers told stories of receiving cancellation notices from…

  • Covid-19 NewsModerna finds booster shot effective against Omicron variant

    Moderna finds booster shot effective against Omicron variant

    Following in the footsteps of Pfizer, Moderna has announced positive results in their study of how the mRNA vaccine stands up against the new Omicron variant. In their new assessment, the makers of Moderna found that, very similarly to the Pfizer vaccine, 2 doses of Moderna is less effective against the Omicron variant than previous strains, but a third booster…

  • Crime NewsSecond riot in Krabi Prison sees 14 injuries an massive fire

    Second riot in Krabi Prison sees 14 injuries an massive fire

    After a riot that broke out last night in Krabi Provincial Prison was declared to have been brought under control this afternoon, a second riot broke out with 14 injuries and a massive fire. The original riot broke out over alleged special treatment of an inmate who was brought off-site for Covid-19 treatment while others were cared for inside the…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 3,537 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 3,537 new cases; provincial totals

    41 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,327 with 21,233 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 3,537 new Covid-19 cases and 5,459 recoveries. There are now 43,479 people in Thailand being…

  • Thailand NewsRiot erupts at Krabi prison over inmate Covid-19 treatment, 300 officers deployed

    Riot erupts at Krabi prison over inmate Covid-19 treatment, 300 officers deployed

    Hundreds of police have been deployed to control an ongoing riot at the Krabi Provincial Prison off the Andaman coast. Around 70 inmates started rioting at around 9pm last night, throwing objects, setting fires, and smashing tiles and plates. Prisoners reportedly threw the riot because an inmate was offered Covid-19 treatment off prison grounds while others infected with the virus…

  • Thailand NewsThursday Covid Update: 3,684 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 3,684 new cases; provincial totals

    26 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,286 with 21,192 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 3,684 new Covid-19 cases and 4,531 recoveries. There are now 45,442 people in Thailand being…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment warns fake vaccine certificates bring fines and jail

    Government warns fake vaccine certificates bring fines and jail

    Authorities are speaking out against a trend online suggesting that it is easy and safe to enter Thailand using forged vaccine certificates. A number of illegal services have been seen online offering fake vaccine certificates that people can purchase rather than actually get vaccinated. But the authorities are reminding people that it’s not just wrong to put the safety and…

  • Covid-19 NewsOmicron variant: 9 cases confirmed, 5 more suspected in Thailand

    Omicron variant: 9 cases confirmed, 5 more suspected in Thailand

    Omicron is slowly creeping into Thailand. Officials have announced that there have now been 9 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 diagnosed within the borders of Thailand. Those nine cases have been fully genome sequenced and confirmed that they are definitely the new and highly infections variant. Omicron is believed to be more contagious but less severe than…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 3,370 new cases; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 3,370 new cases; provincial totals

    29 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,260 with 21,166 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 3,370 new Covid-19 cases and 4,557 recoveries. There are now 46,315 people in Thailand being…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 2,862 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 2,862 new cases; provincial totals

    37 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,231 with 21,137 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 2,862 new Covid-19 cases and 4,818 recoveries. There are now 47,531 people in Thailand being…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to reopen Malaysian border crossings under Test & Go in mid-January

    Thailand to reopen Malaysian border crossings under Test & Go in mid-January

    Thailand’s land crossings along the Malaysian border will reopen in mid-January under the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme for fully vaccinated travellers. At its general meeting yesterday, the CCSA approved a measure to set up Test & Go checkpoints at the land crossings in the provinces bordering Malaysia including Songkhla, Yala, Narathiwat, and Satun. Under the Test & Go scheme,…

  • Thailand News“Sandbox” entry scheme to remain at 7 days, CCSA reverses move to cut down stay

    “Sandbox” entry scheme to remain at 7 days, CCSA reverses move to cut down stay

    The period of stay under the “sandbox” entry scheme will continue to be seven days. The CCSA approved to cut the period down to five days but tightened measures after the emergence of the Omicron variant. Under the entry scheme, travellers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 can enter and roam freely in a designated province or area, such as…

  • Thailand NewsCovid control zoning revised: No more “red” zones, Chon Buri now “blue” reopening area

    Covid control zoning revised: No more “red” zones, Chon Buri now “blue” reopening area

    With Covid-19 infection rates on a downward trend and active cases at the lowest it’s been since late-June, the CCSA revised it’s colour-coded zoning scale for managing the outbreak and now no provinces are classified as “red” zones under maximum control. Under the revised zoning, there are now 39 provinces classified as “orange” controlled zones and 30 provinces classified as…

  • Pattaya NewsPattaya restaurant busted operating after curfew as a nightclub

    Pattaya restaurant busted operating after curfew as a nightclub

    In a familiar scene lately as Thailand toes the line between Covid-19 safety and restarting the tourism economy by relaxing alcohol bans in select areas around the country, a restaurant essentially operating as a bar on South Pattaya Road was shut down last night for violating the Chon Buri Communicable Disease Control order. Dripoly restaurant in Pattaya was raided just…

  • Thailand NewsWhat vaccines and mixing is accepted to enter Thailand now?

    What vaccines and mixing is accepted to enter Thailand now?

    The Ministry of Interior has laid out the most current rules for what Covid-19 vaccines and infection recoveries qualify people to enter Thailand. They included the most up-to-date list of which brands of vaccines are excepted and what stipulations Thailand has for international travellers to enter the kingdom, current as of December 11. With the exception of the Janssen vaccine…

  • Covid-19 NewsCOVID-19 SUNDAY: Positive numbers all around, lowest deaths since third wave

    COVID-19 SUNDAY: Positive numbers all around, lowest deaths since third wave

    Today was a great day for Covid-19 news as the numbers have improved from yesterday for every single metric except for infections brought in from abroad which jumped from 16 yesterday to 24 today. Daily infections and deaths are down, with deaths hitting the lowest number since the third wave of Covid-19 began in April. The total number of hospitalisations…

  • Covid-19 NewsRestaurants reminded to follow Covid-19 safety for holidays

    Restaurants reminded to follow Covid-19 safety for holidays

    Though many people are not planning on travelling during the upcoming holiday season, the Department of Health has issued a reminder for restaurants the follow Covid-19 prevention regulations, especially with the increasing number of tourists for the holidays. The director-general of the department said with the upcoming long holiday weekends, more travellers can be expected to be patronizing restaurants, especially…

  • Thailand News2023 healthcare budget of 207 billion baht proposed including Covid-19

    2023 healthcare budget of 207 billion baht proposed including Covid-19

    In order to add Covid-19 testing and treatment to the benefits of universal healthcare in Thailand for 2023, the National Health Security Office is requesting a 207 billion baht budget. Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting on Thursday of the NHSO which came up with the figure to request to include funding for Covid-19. The budget for…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday’s CCSA meeting to announce further easing of restrictions

    Monday’s CCSA meeting to announce further easing of restrictions

    New Year is looming and Thailand still plods along under a long list of restrictions, both for daily life in the Kingdom but also for travellers trying to enter Thailand. Tomorrow the CCSA will meet to debate an easing of guidelines at a time when the number of new Covid infections and deaths continue to drop, not swiftly but certainly…