CCSA reveals permit issuers list - Bangkok Post

CCSA reveals permit issuers list

Officials spray disinfectant in a community in Klong Toey area on Saturday. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)

People who can issue the permits required to enter and leave the five provinces with heavy Covid-19 infections have been spelt out by a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) panel.

The panel on Saturday identified the permit issuers in the five provinces -- Samut Sakhon, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

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212 new Covid cases, 187 local

The government reported a total of 212 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday — 187 local infections, 6 from active testing and 19 arrivals from abroad — raising the cumulative total past 10,000 to 10,053, with no new deaths.

Chaos descended on many district offices in the five provinces last week as people, most of them making a living on inter-provincial goods trade, clambered to apply for the permits.

The district offices were the only places authorised to issue the permits.

On Saturday, the CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the panel agreed to expand the range of places from which permits can be obtained.

For the public, the papers may be released by district chiefs, directors of district offices, kamnans, village heads, assistant chiefs of local administrative organisations and heads of police stations.

For state officials, the permits may be secured from heads of their offices.

For private businesses and organisations which regularly transport goods across the provinces, their owners or supervisors have the authority to issue the permits.

Individuals who travel routinely to the provinces and back may be provided with a permit that is effective over an extended period.

Dr Taweesilp added non-residents seeking to enter the provinces must fill out a permit form which can be downloaded at www.moicovid.com.

The CCSA panel also approved measures to be enforced on people travelling in and out of the five provinces. They are to be subject to temperature checks and their health observed.

They will also be asked to download the Mor Chana position-tracking application on their mobile phones, and give reasons for their travel when they submit the permit for inspection.

Dr Taweesilp, however, insisted the permit is not mandatory in the other 72 provinces.

"Overall though, people are encouraged to delay their travel between provinces at least until the end of the month or until the situation improves in a bid to curb the transmission of the virus," Dr Taweesilp said.

Meanwhile, measures to enhance public health security, including the MorvChana app, have been announced for immediate effect in the Royal Gazette.

Dr Taweesilp said 1.68 million people have downloaded the MorChana app which alerts people who have been in close proximity to those infected with Covid-19.

He said the app has alerted a total of 112 people who had been to areas which Covid-19 infected individuals were visiting at the time in Bangkok on Dec 31 and Jan 4.

The alert includes a suggested self-quarantine for the mobile phone user and Covid-19 symptoms to be on alert for.

His announcement says strict health screening measures be put in place or practised by businesses operators, customers, travellers and the public.

One measure says the Mor Chana app is to be used, where possible in conjunction with the Thai Chana tracking app, which was launched for checking in and out of public places after the first outbreak of the virus last year.

Domestic air travel take a steep nosedive - Bangkok Post

Domestic air travel take a steep nosedive

Passengers are seen at Don Mueang airport on May 2, 2020, after domestic flights resume at Don Mueang airport. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)

The recent Covid-19 outbreak has seen domestic air travel drop by 60% since the start of the year, says the Department of Airports (DoA).

The figures were drawn from 20 airports supervised by the DoA nationwide, according to Apirat Chaiwongnoi, acting director-general of the department.

Domestic passengers passing through the 20 airports also plunged from an average 30,000 a day before the New Year to 12,000, he said.

The number of aircraft in the sky also fell.

Before the long New Year weekend, 160 flights operated into and out of the 20 airports on average each day.

After the holidays, flights were down 40% to 100 per day on average.

Mr Apirat said people were not confident in the effectiveness of the quarantine measures imposed by the provinces.

The big reduction in demand has forced airlines to scale back their flights. Some airlines also asked the department to extend remedial measures, including landing fee discounts, which expired on Dec 31.

Mr Apirat said details of the help to be offered will be put up for discussion soon.

A source in the Transport Ministry said heavy cancellations of flights had begun to be lodged with authorities from Jan 6.

Tinnagorn Choowong, an executive vice-president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (ART), said the Covid-19 pandemic has had far-reaching ramifications for the industry. In Thailand, both domestic and international fights last year dropped 55% to 464,944, from 1.04 million in the year before.

Flight volumes this year remain low, although a silver lining has emerged with vaccines set for distribution in many affected countries, including Thailand, according to the ART. The agency added that the impact of the second wave of the virus will hopefully only be short term before flight traffic bounces back later in the year as tourism is able to resume. No detail was available on the extent of the expected rebound.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday threatened to cease free medical treatment for Covid-19 infected people who break the law and expose the public to infection risks. - Bangkok Post

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Anutin threat to ban free treatment for lawbreakers

Anutin: Taking a tough stance

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday threatened to cease free medical treatment for Covid-19 infected people who break the law and expose the public to infection risks.

The minister floated the idea on his Facebook page as the country's total Covid-19 cases rose to 10,053 yesterday. Thailand has managed to keep infection rates relatively low since the initial outbreak early last year.

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US sets daily record, China locks down 2 cities

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While a large number of cases were migrant workers in Samut Sakhon, many were linked to illegal gambling dens and smuggling of Thais across the border.

Mr Anutin said public health officials at a meeting yesterday raised concerns about gambling activities that continued unabated and people-smuggling, both of which could contribute to infections spreading further.

It was estimated about 200-300 Thais had illegally crossed the northern border to work at casinos and were seeking to return home after those venues were closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

He then proposed a tough stance against gamblers and illegal returnees who put a strain on the public health system and deprived others of medical attention as hospitals were forced to ration medical services.

"The money that is supposed to be spent to provide medical care to the public will be used to look after those who break the laws and who knows for how long and how much. And for how long other people will lose their income and opportunities?" he said.

Mr Anutin said while the communicable disease control law requires such people to bear the medical costs themselves, some argue that it goes against basic rights to healthcare under the charter.

"So the question is, should the government pay for treatment of the law-breakers, or it should pay and send the bills to those responsible for bringing in new patients?" he said.

"I'll discuss this issue with agencies concerned to deter irresponsible acts because they think it is the government's job to provide free medical treatment when they're ill."

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) yesterday reported a total of 212 new Covid-19 cases, raising the cumulative total past 10,000 to 10,053, with no new deaths.

Of the new cases, 187 were local infections, six from active testing and 19 arrivals from abroad. The new round of infections spread to 58 provinces with Nong Bua Lam Phu joining the list.

According to the CCSA, health officials were monitoring a cluster linked to a cockfighting ring in Ang Thong.

A total of 101 cases were linked to this group and scattered in eight central provinces.

Meanwhile, national police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk yesterday travelled to Tak's Mae Sot district to inspect border controls, apparently sparked by a return of 40 Thai people from Myanmar in recent days.

The return of 40 Thais, 17 of them testing positive for the Covid-19, was reported by Mae Sot Doctor Facebook page, administrated by a doctor at Mae Sot Hospital in Tak.

The returnees had coordinated with local officials and were quarantined upon arrival.

It was estimated that more than 100 Thais were left stranded in Myanmar after the shutdown of casinos and entertainment venues in Myawaddy, opposite Mae Sot district.

Local officials were reportedly considering setting up a field hospital and a local quarantine venue to accommodate returnees.

Chakarat Pitayawonganand, director of Bureau of Epidemiology, the Department of Disease Control, yesterday told a press conference that the public health authority is now alert to this case.

Security officials from both countries are in talks about how to control the situation after finding that an outbreak had already happened at the casino which employs 300 local and Thai staff.

The coordinating centre was set up to work with the Sky Complex Casino in Myawaddy town to ensure all Thai staff waiting for the chance to return to the kingdom are following proper legal procedures.

Meanwhile, rapid tests were conducted on 200 Thai staff and found that at least 13 cases are infected with the Sars-CoV-2 deadly virus.

Chonburi announces 40 new local transmission cases of Covid – 19 with nearly all in Si Racha - Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 40 new local transmission cases of Covid – 19 with nearly all in Si Racha

Saturday, 9 January 2021, 15:00

Chonburi-

The Chonburi Public Health Office this afternoon (January 9^th) has announced 40 new confirmed cases of local transmission of Covid –19.

Of those 40 cases, 35 are in Si Racha, four are in Banglamung and one is in Mueang Chonburi district while 20 are males and 20 are females. Si Racha has now passed Banglamung as having the most cases in Chonburi overall.

The total number of Chonburi confirmed cases in this new series of infections is now 518 with one death that we previously reported on, a 47-year-old Thai woman with previous health issues.

Of those 518, 477 are being treated at the hospital/quarantine (Thailand has a policy that all Covid – 19 positive patients MUST be given treatment and observation and cannot self-isolate at home.).

Forty people have recovered/are now clear of the virus.

Of those 518, 221 are in Si Racha, 217 are in Banglamung, 32 are in Mueang Chonburi, 16 are in Rayong (Confirmed cases originally from Chonburi being treated in Rayong), 12 are in Sattahip, 12 are in Ban Bueng, seven are in Panat Nikhom and one is in Koh Si Chang.

In addition the Chonburi Public Health Office has also specifically announced to warn anyone who has visited Rong Beer 90 Si Racha from December 24^th to December 31^st please contact the Si Racha District Health Office 038-322 503 or 084-3539345 and 081-5629695 for an immediate free Covid – 19 test and please stay at home to keep control of the virus spread.

Yesterday (January 9^th) the Chonburi Public Health Department has announced 31 new confirmed cases of local transmission of Covid –19.

Read more about out previous story in the link below.

Chonburi announces 31 new local transmission cases of Covid-19 with majority in Si Racha

More stringent measures to contain a new wave of local COVID-19 transmission in many areas of the country. - PRD



THA: Let inoculated tourists visit without quarantine - Bangkok Post

 THA: Let inoculated tourists visit without quarantine

Tourism operators are asking the government to start conducting research on a plan to welcome international tourists, which would aim to revoke the 14-day quarantine requirement for those visitors inoculated against Covid-19.

Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of Thai Hotels Association (THA), said the government should start researching guidelines for vaccinated tourists to bypass the mandatory quarantine if Thailand and other countries are able to implement a complete vaccination programme for their populations.

In recent months, the 14-day quarantine has been the biggest obstacle deterring foreign tourists, said Mrs Marisa.

She said the government could require visitors to have certificates of Covid-19 vaccination, or set up a travel plan via bilateral agreements to establish similar travel standards between countries.

As hotels cannot operate amid the new wave of local infections, the association urged the government to implement financial aid directed towards employees.

In a meeting with the Tourism and Sports Minister yesterday, THA proposed a co-payment scheme, which would provide a 50% subsidy for employees' monthly wages. The payment would be capped at 7,500 baht.

For hotels that already closed temporarily due to provincial orders, the Social Security Fund should compensate them as soon as possible and reduce their electricity bills to help with fixed costs, said Mrs Marisa.

"Hoteliers have suffered for almost a year, especially hotels in major destinations that rely heavily on international arrivals," she said. "The recent outbreak makes the situation even more difficult over the next 3-6 months, so the measure to support payroll is crucial."

The Pao Tang mobile app will add a new feature that allows postponement over the next 2-3 weeks, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

"The TAT guarantees hoteliers can receive their 40% subsidy from the government for the affected bookings. They don't have to charge that amount to guests," he said.

As of Jan 6, 5.12 million room nights worth 13.6 billion baht and 357,752 air tickets worth 952 million had been redeemed.

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Vaccination to start next month in 5 provinces - Bangkok Jack / The Nation

 Vaccination to start next month in 5 provinces

January 9, 2021

Credit: PA

Nationwide Covid-19 vaccination will begin in February and target the five "red zone" provinces now under lockdown, the government announced on Friday.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) said residents of Samut Sakhon, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat would be inoculated from February to April. Most people in Thailand would get Covid-19 shots by the end of this year, it added.

DDC director general Opas Karnkawinpong said the vaccination timeline had been set after health agencies passed the vaccine as safe and effective.

He did not mention the name of the vaccine, but Thailand has so far secured 63 million doses from AstraZeneca and Sinovac Biotech.

Opas said Thailand's vaccination programme will be divided into three phases.

The first phase of 2 million doses will be rolled out in the red-zone provinces from February to April.

The second phase of 26 million doses will target at-risk people – medical personnel and seniors – from May to June.

The third phase will roll out vaccination for the general population by the end of this year.

At-risk people can register for vaccination from the end of January to the beginning of next month, said Opas. – The Nation

Shot dead in Thailand after refusing to wear face mask - Bangkok Jack

 Shot dead in Thailand after refusing to wear face mask

January 9, 2021

Police at a funeral where Jumnean Sri-orn reportedly shot Samran Tawai for not wearing a mask on Jan. 7, 2021, in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

A man has been charged with murder after witnesses said he shot dead a guest at a funeral who was not wearing a face mask.

The incident happened on Jan. 7 in the Thai province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, according to Thai media Channel 7.

Police said that both men had been in a heated dispute regarding Samran's lack of a face mask while attending the funeral, in the lead-up to the shooting.

At one point, Jumnean prepared to leave on his motorcycle.

However, Samran reportedly pushed him off the bike and taunted Jumnean, "I know you're carrying a gun, but you're too chicken to shoot,"

Jumnean then pulled out his .357 and shot Samran in the face.

He was immediately arrested at the scene by a policeman who was also attending the funeral.

An investigator was further quoted by Thai media as stating that Jumnean and Samran did not get along.

A police colonel, Sutat Songsayom, added that both of them many "pre-existing personal problems."

The 73-year-old has since confessed to the charges of murder and carrying a firearm without a permit, and faces lifetime imprisonment should he be found guilty.

Thailand considers Expat ID Cards - Bangkok Jack

Thailand considers Expat ID Cards

January 9, 2021

Thailand's tourism minster has said expats may not be able to join tourism stimulus packages, but the government pledges to end dual pricing as soon as possible.

The tourism governor, Yuthasak Supasorn,  said the We Travel Together stimulus campaign will be carried out with budget from the Loan Act.

It has a clear mandate and objectives that make it hard to include Expats.

The minister also said  he will discuss stopping dual pricing for expats with the National Parks; Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department; as well as famous tourism sites.

Mr Yuthasak said the move will let expats save money. It will also allowing them to spend more as a key target to boost domestic tourism.

Tourism Thailand also wants to introduce an identity card to verify expats' status.  The expat identity card will help distinguish them from tourists. Thus they will be charged the same price as locals.

But he has failed to mention why a valid Thai driving license is no longer acceptable.

The expat identity card would be issued by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The minister said TAT hopes to sign a memorandum of understanding with each department that owns tourist attractions.

Above all to fix a standard price for expat identity card holders permanently. Not just during the pandemic.

The TAT also wants to improve its customer database about independent tourists here, Mr Yuthasak said.

"The key factor is we have to treat expats like local Thai. Furthermore without discrimination or a negative attitude towards foreigners," he said.

According to the TAT, 60% of 2 million expatriates living in Thailand come from Asia. Of which 150,000 are Chinese, followed by Japanese (70,000) and South Koreans (20,000).

At present, the agency partners with Alipay and Fliggy — a travel platform from China — to promote domestic tourism campaigns for Chinese expats. – Bangkok Post

Eastern Hotel Association asks Chonburi Governor to force close hotels to allow staff to collect social security - Pattaya News

Eastern Hotel Association asks Chonburi Governor to force close hotels to allow staff to collect social security

Friday, 8 January 2021, 21:10

Chonburi-

The President of the Eastern Hotel Association has approached a representative of the Chonburi Governor tonight and requested that he legally force close hotels in Chonburi until the current Covid-19 situation is resolved, as he did last year, to allow staff to collect government benefits.

  Prien Sae Ku, President of the Eastern Thai Hotels Association, sat with The Pattaya News team this evening to reveal the order and stated that due to the current "high risk" status of Chonburi and people cannot enter without special permission for essential trips, he would like to see hotels closed so that staff can collect social security.

The Thai Government is offering 50% of a staff member's daily wages, plus discounts on what a business has to pay, during the current period for staff members who collect social security. However, there is no program of financial aid at this time announced for informal workers, The Pattaya News notes.

According to Prien, the average hotel employee with social security will qualify for roughly $7,500 baht a month through social security if the hotels are closed. He noted that many hotels have already closed on their own to save money as occupancy is near zero percent in Pattaya and Chonburi currently due to the travel restrictions. Prien warned that not providing social security or financial aid benefits could see further infrastructure collapse of the hotel sector, which he called essential to future tourism.

Prien also said hotels that are members of the association don't want to let their staff go and want to ensure they can keep them.

Prien noted some hotels are also giving additional benefits to staff during this difficult time, like free rooms and food. Prien also stated that Chanthaburi has ordered their hotels closed for similar reasons to what they are requesting to the Chonburi Governor.

   Mr. Naris Niramaiwong, Deputy Governor of Chonburi Province has received the letter this afternoon according to Prien and will review the proposal with the Chonburi Governor. We will update our readers if this proposal becomes a potential order. At this time, however, it remains only a proposal.

👏👏👏👏👏 Gambling and Covid: Foreigners arrested in big show of force in Pattaya this morning👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

 Gambling and Covid: Foreigners arrested in big show of force in Pattaya this morning

 

Image: We Love Pattaya

 

Every policeman worth his salt in Chonburi and Pattaya was in attendance this morning in a very well publicized raid of a gambling den in two rented rooms of a Jomtien condo. 

 

All the top brass were there flexing their muscles in a show of force against foreigners, illegal gambling and most of all, flagrant disregard for the Covid-19 regulations. 

 

The raid at 1 am in Sai 2 was led by Region 2 chief Maj-Gen Thiti Saengsawang accompanied by the head of the Chonburi provincial police Pol Col Ekkaphop Inthaweewat. 

 

There were also men from all three local Pattaya constabularies - the Pattaya force itself, Nong Prue and Bang Lamung. 

International crime officers swelled the ranks of the raiding party.

 

Arrested were 21 gamblers - 14 Chinese, 5 Thais, I Cambodian and one Singaporean. Taken into evidence were gambling tables, cards and chips. 

 

Ekkaphop said this was a state and national RTP measure against the spread of the virus. He said that the gamblers - most of them foreigners - had a flagrant disregard for the spread of the virus.

 

They were playing poker style games.

 

Two rooms on the fifth floor of the building - 517 and 518 - had been rented on a daily basis. 

 

The inquiry would be expanded. 

 

We Love Pattaya reported that five of the Chinese were on overstay and the Cambodian had entered Thailand illegally.

 

They will all be facing charges related to both gambling and contravention of the Covid emergency decree.

 

Source: We Love Pattaya

 

Bangkok Post 9 January



Almost 700 asymptomatic patients admitted to field hospitals for observation - PBS

Almost 700 asymptomatic patients admitted to field hospitals for observation

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686 asymptomatic COVID-19-infected patients have been admitted to field hospitals in Thailand's Red Zone provinces of Samut Sakhon, Rayong, Chon Buri and Chanthaburi for observation, said Dr. Veeravuth Imsamran, deputy director-general of the Medical Science Department, today (Friday).

He maintained that the existing field hospitals have sufficient in-patient beds, totaling 1,316, including 872 in Samut Sakhon and the rest in the other three coastal provinces.

Field hospitals are intended for asymptomatic cases and those with mild symptoms, while regular hospitals are for severe cases and other patients and are regarded as the main facilities for the prevention of the spread of the contagion, said Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department.

Since December 15^th, 5,604 people have been infected with the virus and, of these, seven have died.  1,306 have recovered and the rest are in regular and field hospitals.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, has expressed concern over infections in work places, citing the case of a factory in Bang Khun Thian district of Bangkok, where 17 workers tested positive for COVID-19.

He suggested that business operators encourage their employees to work from home and step up screenings in their work places, which can reduce the risk of infection.

Investigations have shown that infections related to a cock-fighting ring in Ang Thong province total 101, including 70 cases in Ang Thong, 13 in Ayutthaya, five in Lop Buri, two in Khon Kaen, six in Sing Buri and one each in Saraburi and Nonthaburi.

Ban on alcohol sales in restaurants, other venues will cost industry Bt9 billion, TABBA chief bemoans - The Nation

Ban on alcohol sales in restaurants, other venues will cost industry Bt9 billion, TABBA chief bemoans

The government's order banning the drinking of alcoholic beverages at restaurants and other entertainment venues since January 4 in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19 is estimated to affect more than 1 million entrepreneurs and employees and cost the industry Bt9 billion, said Thanakorn Kuptajit, secretary-general of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association (TABBA).

"The peak season for selling alcoholic beverages is between December and April, and this ban could result in a revenue loss of 30 per cent, or Bt9 billion, across the whole industry, while the total market value could dip to Bt300 billion should the ban last until the end of 2021," he said.

Thanakorn said the total market value of the alcoholic beverages industry by the end of 2018 was recorded at Bt370 billion. This number covered both domestic and imported beverages.

"The ban will affect not only business owners but also their employees and their families who rely on income from these venues. The association estimates that more than one million people could be affected," he said.

"Furthermore, these businesses have already been suffering from the ban on selling alcohol via electronic channels, which came into effect on December 7," he pointed out.

Fearing that many alcohol sellers will be forced out of business with their sales channels, both online and at restaurants, being banned, Thanakorn suggested that the government should postpone or relax either ban temporarily.

"If the ban on drinking at restaurants cannot be lifted, then at least the government should allow alcohol sales online," Thanakorn said.

"Online selling also complies with the government's Covid-19 measures of maintaining social distance and reducing travel to crowded areas," he said.

Thanakorn also said that most alcoholic beverages sold online are craft beer, with 60-70 per cent of entrepreneurs selling via online channels and only 30-40 per cent doing so from restaurants.

"These entrepreneurs, who have a total market share of Bt3 billion to Bt4 billion, are mostly start-ups and have limited sales channels to begin with. They had been hit the hardest since the ban on online selling came into effect," he added.

20 provinces still free of infections in new Covid wave - The Nation

20 provinces still free of infections in new Covid wave

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Friday that 20 provinces were still free of Covid-19 patients in the new wave of infections. 

The 20 provinces are Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Nong Bua Lamphu, Bueng Kan, Roi Et, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Phrae, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Uthai Thani, Phitsanulok, Phang Nga, Chumphon, Phatthalung, Pattani and Yala.

CCSA also said that no new confirmed cases had been reported over the past seven days in 16 provinces, namely Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Sa Kaew, Ubon Ratchathani, Chaiyaphum, Nong Khai, Mahasarakham, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Songkhla, Satun, Trang, Narathiwat and Uttaradit.

Meanwhile, there have been no new patients for the past two weeks in Phetchabun, Kamphaeng Phet, Phuket and Udon Thani.

Chonburi announces 31 new local transmission cases of Covid-19 with majority in Si Racha Friday, 8 January 2021, 17:17



Chonburi announces 31 new local transmission cases of Covid-19 with majority in Si Racha

Friday, 8 January 2021, 17:17

Chonburi-

The Chonburi Public Health Office this afternoon (January 8th) has announced 31 new confirmed cases of local transmission of Covid –19.

Of those 31 cases, 25 cases are in Si Racha, three are in Banglamung, two are in Sattahip and one is in Rayong (Confirmed cases originally from Chonburi being treated in Rayong).

The total number of Chonburi confirmed cases in this new series of infections is now 478 with one death that we previously reported on, a 47-year-old Thai woman with previous health issues.

Of those 478, 437 are being treated at the hospital/quarantine (Thailand has a policy that all Covid – 19 positive patients MUST be given treatment and observation and cannot self-isolate at home.).

Forty people have recovered/are now clear of the virus.

Of those 478, 213 are in Banglamung, 186 are in Si Racha, 31 are in Mueang Chonburi, 16 are in Rayong, 12 are in Sattahip, 12 are in Ban Bueang, seven are in Panat Nikhom and one is from Koh Si Chang.

Yesterday (January 7^th) the Chonburi Public Health Office announced 27 new confirmed cases of local transmission of Covid –19, with the majority being in Si Racha.

Thailand to start COVID-19 vaccinations next month - Thai Visa

Thailand to start COVID-19 vaccinations next month

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand will start issuing COVID-19 vaccinations from next month, according to the Director-General of the Disease Control Department.

 

Between February and April, 1 million people who are regarded as vulnerable or most at risk from the virus will be given the vaccination, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said on Thursday.

 

Among the people to be vaccinated first include 80,000 frontline healthcare workers and village volunteers, 20,000 disease control workers and 900,000 people aged 60 or over or those with pre-existing health conditions. Each person will be given two doses of the vaccination.

 

Those located in areas deemed to be 'high risk', such as Samut Sakohon, Bangkok, Chonburi, Chantanburi, Trat and Rayong will be among the first recipients.

 

The second phase of vaccinations will begin nationwide from May or June and will see 26 million people from vulnerable groups inoculated against the virus. 

 

The third phase of vaccinations will begin in early 2022 and will see 70% of the general population vaccinated so that herd immunity can be developed.

 

Source: Daily News