Public Health Ministry

  • Covid-19 NewsOn-site learning resumes in over 10,000 Thai schools, another 20,000 to follow

    On-site learning resumes in over 10,000 Thai schools, another 20,000 to follow

    Over 10,000 schools across the country have resumed in-classroom learning, with another 20,000 to follow. Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai from the Department of Health says over 35,000 schools around Thailand have met the Public Health Ministry’s requirements for a safe re-opening. However, under the “Thai Stop Covid Plus” assessment system, final approval needs to come from the communicable disease committee in…

  • Covid-19 NewsWorkers returning from provinces can get second, third vaccine doses in Bangkok

    Workers returning from provinces can get second, third vaccine doses in Bangkok

    The health minister says jobseekers returning from the provinces to work in Bangkok can get their vaccine doses in the capital. Anutin Charnvirakul says some people may have appointments for a second dose or a third, booster dose, in their home provinces. However, they can opt to have them in Bangkok instead. He was speaking as workers previously employed in…

  • Covid-19 NewsForeign Ministry rejects Thammasat University’s request for help importing donated Moderna doses

    Foreign Ministry rejects Thammasat University’s request for help importing donated Moderna doses

    3 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine donated by Poland continue to be held up amid arguments between the recipient, Thammasat University, and the Thai government. Nation Thailand reports that the Foreign Affairs Ministry has refused to help import the doses as the transaction is not state-to-state. In a letter to the TU rector, the ministry says the university…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 infected patients to receive vaccine after recovering

    Covid-19 infected patients to receive vaccine after recovering

    Covid-19 infected patients who have had at least 1 month to recover are now approved to get a Covid-19 vaccine. The Public Health Ministry says it will provide AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines. Sophon Mekthon, assistant to the public health minister, announced the decision this week. Those who have been infected that have yet to be vaccinated or who have received only…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand to stop using Sinovac vaccine once current supply runs out

    Thailand to stop using Sinovac vaccine once current supply runs out

    The head of the Department of Disease Control says Thailand will stop using the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine when the current supply runs out at the end of this month. Dr Opas Karnkawinpong says the government programme will instead switch to using 1 dose of AstraZeneca, followed by 1 of Pfizer. “We expect to have distributed all Sinovac doses this week.”…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 cases are rising, not falling – CCSA infection numbers called into doubt

    Covid-19 cases are rising, not falling – CCSA infection numbers called into doubt

    The Covid-19 infection numbers being reported by the CCSA are being called into question by the Rural Doctors Society. According to a Thai PBS World report, the RDS argues that the number of daily new cases is going up, not down. According to the report, the society says that yesterday, the CCSA reported 2 figures for new cases – 10,817…

  • Covid-19 NewsIf vaccinations continue as planned, Health Ministry says Covid could be “under control” by January

    If vaccinations continue as planned, Health Ministry says Covid could be “under control” by January

    The Public Health Ministry has announced that if vaccinations continue at the expected rate, the Covid-19 crisis in Thailand could be essentially “under control” by January 1. As the number of vaccines available steadily increases, the hope is that higher rates of vaccination in the country will allow Thailand’s vital tourism industry to reopen further. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Kiattiphum…

  • South Thailand NewsCovid infections climbing in South, officials say curve should flatten within a month

    Covid infections climbing in South, officials say curve should flatten within a month

    The Public Health Ministry says that while Covid-19 infections are rising in the south of the country, numbers are expected to level off within a month. According to a Bangkok Post report, Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong says the Delta variant accounts for around 30% of infections in the region, although the Beta variant is more prevalent in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and…

  • Covid-19 News2 million doses of government-bought Pfizer have arrived, 28 million to follow

    2 million doses of government-bought Pfizer have arrived, 28 million to follow

    The long-awaited first lot of Pfizer vaccine doses purchased by the Thai government have arrived in the country. 2 million doses touched down at Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday and were received by the Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, according to a Bangkok Post report. In total, the government has ordered 30 million doses of the mRNA-based vaccine, with the other 28…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Ministry predicts infections will fall to 5,000 a day by end of October

    Health Ministry predicts infections will fall to 5,000 a day by end of October

    Daily new Covid-19 infections are expected to fall to around 5,000 a day by the end of October, according to a Public Health Ministry spokesman. However, Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrajit remains concerned that they could rise again, due to a number of factors. The Bangkok Post reports that the emergence of infection clusters and the arrival of new variants are still…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand to receive 120,000 doses of AstraZeneca from Singapore on Saturday

    Thailand to receive 120,000 doses of AstraZeneca from Singapore on Saturday

    Singapore is to send 122,400 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to Thailand on Saturday, as part of a deal that will see Thailand return the favour when vaccines are more readily available. The government has also struck a similar deal with Bhutan, with that country sending Thailand 150,000 AstraZeneca doses. According to a Nation Thailand report, the exchange has…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai health minister says all target groups will be fully vaccinated by year end

    Thai health minister says all target groups will be fully vaccinated by year end

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister says all target groups will have received 2 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine by the end of this year. In addition, Anutin Charnvirakul says certain groups will receive a third, or booster, dose this year and boosters will be administered to all in the coming year. He adds that there are currently between 700,000 and 800,000…

  • Covid-19 NewsDigital Health Pass for Covid-19 safety rolling out now

    Digital Health Pass for Covid-19 safety rolling out now

    The Public Health Ministry has launched the Digital Health Pass through the Mor Prom app and it will likely become a part of everyday life in Thailand. All residents in Thailand are encouraged to download it right away, though there have been some problems already. But the Thai government is pushing ahead with the hopes of creating Covid-free zones across…

  • Covid-19 NewsOfficials to review curfew, Covid-19 restrictions in dark red provinces today

    Officials to review curfew, Covid-19 restrictions in dark red provinces today

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration meets today to review the curfew in place in dark red provinces, and to discuss the easing of some restrictions. However, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control says the CCSA will be asked to keep the 9pm – 4am curfew as is until the end of this month. While the hours…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 228 deaths and 14,176 new cases

    Wednesday Covid Update: 228 deaths and 14,176 new cases

    228 coronavirus-related deaths and 14,176 new Covid-19 cases were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the latest and most severe wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has recorded a total of 1,293,656 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 16,769 more recoveries.…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Ministry says don’t panic, no cases of Mu variant found in Thailand

    Health Ministry says don’t panic, no cases of Mu variant found in Thailand

    Thailand’s Health Ministry says there have been no cases of the Mu variant of Covid-19 reported in the country to date. The World Health Organisation has named Mu – or B.1.621 – as a variant of interest, as it could be more resistant to vaccines. However, the Bangkok Post reports that Dr Supakit Sirilak from the Department of Medical Sciences…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment considering Covid-19 cards for vaccinated people and recovered patients

    Government considering Covid-19 cards for vaccinated people and recovered patients

    The Thai government is considering issuing cards that show who’s been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or who has recovered from the virus. Kiattiphum Wongrajit from the Public Health Ministry says the cards could be useful as various businesses prepare for re-opening in a Covid-19 world. The Bangkok Post reports Kiattiphum as saying fully vaccinated people could be issued with green-coloured…

  • Covid-19 NewsMore Bangkok field hospital beds available as recovered patients outnumber new cases

    More Bangkok field hospital beds available as recovered patients outnumber new cases

    The Public Health Ministry says the number of Covid-19 patients who’ve recovered has outnumbered new infections in Bangkok for the last 10 days. Dr Kiattibhoom Vongrachit says the reduction in new cases means more field hospital beds have become available in the capital and surrounding provinces. According to a Thai PBS World report, last week there were 3,526 patients undergoing…

  • Covid-19 NewsRollout of Covid-19 booster doses expected to begin next month

    Rollout of Covid-19 booster doses expected to begin next month

    The rollout of Covid-19 booster shots for around 3 million Thais who’ve already received 2 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine will begin from next month. According to a Bangkok Post report, Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control says the administration of booster doses is expected to get underway between late September and October. “Which vaccine type will be…

  • Covid-19 NewsPublic Health Ministry to propose easing of restrictions for vaccinated residents

    Public Health Ministry to propose easing of restrictions for vaccinated residents

    With the number of active Covid-19 cases on a downward trend, the Public Health Ministry plans to make a proposal to ease measures for those who are fully vaccinated, or who have passed Covid-19 tests, in provinces classified as “dark red” and “red” for high infection rates. The ministry plans to propose dine-in services at restaurants to be allowed for those…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Ministry to propose re-opening dine-in services to vaccinated customers

    Health Ministry to propose re-opening dine-in services to vaccinated customers

    Thailand’s Health Ministry is to propose allowing restaurants in dark red zones to re-open for in-house dining from September. Kiattiphum Wongrajit says the proposal is based on declining case numbers in recent days. “The Covid-19 situation appears to be improving. Certain restrictions should therefore be lifted.” The Bangkok Post reports that the Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has met with representatives…

  • Covid-19 NewsTotal Covid-19 infections in Thailand surpass 1 million

    Total Covid-19 infections in Thailand surpass 1 million

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has confirmed that the total number of Covid-19 cases has now passed the 1 million mark. Today, the kingdom reported 19,851 new infections and 240 fatalities in the past 24 hours. According to a Bangkok Post report, 19,526 of the new cases were detected among the general public, with 325 reported in prisons. A total of…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 19,851 new cases and 240 deaths

    Friday Covid Update: 19,851 new cases and 240 deaths

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported 19,851 new Covid-19 cases and 240 coronavirus-related deaths today. In the latest and most severe wave of the virus in Thailand, first recorded on April 1, there have been 980,847 confirmed Covid-19 infections. Over the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 20,478 recoveries from Covid-19. There are now 205,079 people…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment says Sinovac works, despite claims of lower efficacy against variants

    Government says Sinovac works, despite claims of lower efficacy against variants

    Amid growing calls for more mRNA doses to combat the spread of the Delta variant, the Thai government continues to defend the Sinovac vaccine. The Bangkok Post reports that the government plans to purchase another 12 million doses of the Chinese vaccine, citing good results from a study of people fully vaccinated with Sinovac. However, the public is calling on…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Minister says Thailand will have over 32 million Pfizer doses by end of the year

    Health Minister says Thailand will have over 32 million Pfizer doses by end of the year

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister says there will be 32.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the country by the end of the year. According to a Nation Thailand report, Anutin Charnvirakul says the government has ordered 20 million doses of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccine and Pfizer has also offered to send an additional 10 million doses this year. “This,…

  • Covid-19 NewsOfficials say mass testing and isolating in next 2 weeks could flatten Covid-19 curve

    Officials say mass testing and isolating in next 2 weeks could flatten Covid-19 curve

    Health officials are hopeful that mass testing and isolating over the next 2 weeks could bring down Covid-19 infections in Bangkok. Dr Yongyot Thammawut from the Public Health Ministry says 41 teams of 400 doctors and other healthcare workers have been carrying out mass testing in the capital and other central provinces since the start of the month. Yongyot says…

  • Thailand NewsHealth Ministry starts distribution of Pfizer

    Health Ministry starts distribution of Pfizer

    Yesterday, the Public Health Ministry started its distribution of 645,000 Pfizer doses that were donated by the U.S. of A’s government to those considered most vulnerable in the 13 dark red zone provinces. The groups that are deemed vulnerable include the elderly, and people who have 1 or more of 7 underlying diseases, and pregnant women, says Dr Chawetsan Namwat,…

  • Thailand NewsFavipiravir AKA Avigan to be used for all Covid patients, despite paltry scientific merit

    Favipiravir AKA Avigan to be used for all Covid patients, despite paltry scientific merit

    All Covid patients will receive the antiviral drug Favipiravir, AKA Avigan, says the Public Health Ministry. In fact, the government is planning to stockpile 420 million tablets. Yesterday, the Department of Medical Services announced that health officials can administer the drug to all groups of Covid patients. Before yesterday’s announcement, green coded patients with mild to no symptoms that were under…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment says ongoing vaccination and obeying the rules will drive infections down

    Government says ongoing vaccination and obeying the rules will drive infections down

    If everyone obeys Covid-19 restrictions while the vaccination of high-risk groups continues, the Health Ministry predicts a big drop in new case numbers in the coming weeks. According to a Bangkok Post report, Kiattiphum Wongrajit says just a 5% increase in the public’s observance of disease prevention measures would be enough to make a significant difference. He adds that greater…

  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Ministry says all frontline medical workers will get donated Pfizer doses

    Health Ministry says all frontline medical workers will get donated Pfizer doses

    With 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine expected to arrive in Thailand tomorrow, the Public Health Ministry insists they will be given to all frontline medical workers in the country. The doses have been donated by the US government and will be offered as third, “booster” shots, according to Sura Wisedsak from the Health Ministry. “I can confirm that…