Public Health Ministry

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    Communicable disease law may be amended to replace emergency decree

    Thailand’s Communicable Disease law is likely to replace the emergency decree from the end of September, after Cabinet approved a draft amendment to the 2015 Act. The emergency decree was enacted in March 2020 and granted the government sweeping powers to control the spread of Covid-19 through the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The decree is due to expire at…

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    Emergency decree could be coming to an end as infections decline

    It’s been with us since March 2020, but the emergency decree declared by the PM at the start of the pandemic may be coming to an end. According to a Bangkok Post report, Natthapol Nakpanich from the National Security Council says the government may decide not to extend the state of emergency as new Covid-19 infections continue to drop. Natthapol…

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    Restaurant operators accept rules for re-opening dine-in services

    Restaurant operators are happy to accept new rules for re-opening as laid out by the Public Health Ministry, if it means they can get back to business. The measures are strict and include the need for all customers to show proof of full vaccination. According to a Bangkok Post report, the re-opening of dine-in services would be done under a…

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    Public Health Ministry approves purchase of 8.5 million Chinese antigen test kits

    First it was on, then it was off, then it was on again. Now the Public Health Ministry has officially given the go-ahead for the purchase of 8.5 million antigen test kits from China. Sura Visetsak from the ministry says the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation can proceed with the purchase from Lepu Medical Technology. The Bangkok Post reports that the contract…

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    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 News

    Health Ministry calls for a halt to criticism of doctors not involved in vaccine decisions

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has issued a statement in defence of 4 top doctors it says are being unfairly criticised for vaccine decisions they were not involved in. Kiattiphum Wongrajit from the Health Ministry says the doctors are dedicated in their fight against Covid-19, but have never had any involvement in vaccine procurement. “These medical advisers only gave advice to…

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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…

  • Covid-19 News

    Covid patients with positive antigen test no longer need PCR test prior to treatment

    The government’s Covid-19 task force says people who’ve taken an antigen test while at community isolation venues do not need to submit to a PCR test before getting medical treatment. The Bangkok Post reports that the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has made the announcement in an effort to accelerate treatment for patients waiting in community isolation. CCSA spokesperson Apisamai…

  • Covid-19 News

    Stop buying Sinovac, medical expert tells government

    The head of the intensive care unit at Bangkok’s Vichaiyut Hospital says the government must stop purchasing the Sinovac vaccine until it’s been re-formulated to handle variants. According to a Bangkok Post report, respiratory disease expert Manoon Leechawengwongs says Sinovac may be effective at reducing the chance of serious illness and death, but that effectiveness wears off over time. The…

  • Covid-19 News

    Bangkok vaccine timetable adjusted due to crowds, lack of social distancing

    The vaccination schedule at Bangkok’s Bang Sue station has been adjusted to separate a number of high-risk groups and prevent overcrowding. The Bangkok Post reports that the Department of Medical Services made the change after large numbers arrived to be vaccinated yesterday, making social distancing impossible. The report says a number of people were concerned by the large crowds and,…

  • Covid-19 News

    Samut Sakhon governor orders officials to break isolation regulations if it saves lives

    As the number of Covid-19 patients at isolation centres grows, the governor of the central province of Samut Sakhon says officials can bend the rules if it saves lives. The current Public Health Ministry rules on isolating patients from their families are aimed at preventing the spread of infection, but governor Veerasak Vichitsangsri says a backlog of infected people at…

  • Covid-19 News

    Health Ministry asks vaccine importers to prepare procurement plans for next year

    6 Covid-19 vaccine importers have been asked to prepare purchase plans for next year, which should factor in virus mutations. The Public Health Ministry made the request at a meeting with AstraZeneca Thailand, Pfizer Thailand, Zuellig Pharma, Janssen-Cilag, Biogenetech, and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. According to a Nation Thailand report, Opas Karnkawinpong from the Department of Disease Control says an…

  • Covid-19 News

    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 News

    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…

  • Thailand News

    Rapid antigen tests should be available next week for testing at home

    Yesterday, the Public Health Ministry announced that rapid antigen tests will now be sold for home use. The tests will be sold at hospitals, health clinics, pharmacies, and other locations that have been approved by the FDA. The announcement states that government institutions that get the kits must send them to hospitals. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also said yesterday…

  • Covid-19 News

    618 Sinovac vaccinated medical workers get Covid-19

    After being fully inoculated with 2 doses of the Sinovac vaccine, more than 600 medical workers have been diagnosed with Covid-19 infections, according to the Public Health Ministry today. A total of 618 hospital and medical staffers have been infected with Covid-19 despite having received the Chinese-made vaccine. It was not confirmed whether they were infected with the Delta variant…

  • Covid-19 News

    Friday Covid Update: 9,276 new infections and 72 deaths

    9,276 new Covid-19 cases and 72 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. With the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the CCSA expects daily cases to soon hit 10,000. While today’s case count is an uptick over the past several weeks. Thailand hit a record high in new cases in mid-May with 9,635…