Thai Adds Phuket Flights Ahead Of Planned July Reopening
Thai Airways has added four non-stops routes from Europe to Phuket – including from Heathrow – along with two from within Asia.
The reason: the opening up of Phuket from July, which is set to be a testbed for the wider country. They'll also be non-stop because they must be, at least for now.
Thai Airways has put on sale the following six routes, with the summer period coinciding with the low season in Thailand.
Copenhagen-Phuket: once-weekly from July 2nd-September 24th using the A350-900
Delhi-Phuket: twice-weekly July 2nd-September 26th; A350-900
Frankfurt-Phuket: once-weekly July 2nd-October 1st; B777-300ER
Hong Kong-Phuket: once-weekly July 2nd-September 24th; A350-900
London Heathrow-Phuket: once-weekly July 3rd-September 25th; B777-300ER
Paris CDG-Phuket: once-weekly July 2nd-September 24th; B777-300ER
In the recent past, Thai Airways has served Phuket non-stop from Copenhagen, Delhi, Frankfurt, and Hong Hong.
Frankfurt, for example, began in November 2016 but became winter-seasonal in 2019, so its summer flights are a return to this flying.
Copenhagen, meanwhile, has always been winter-only, until now.
One-way travel
Aircraft will route to and from Bangkok, with Phuket available non-stop only in one direction: to the island.
This is because it is a requirement is to fly non-stop into Phuket, at least until connections over Bangkok are permitted once again. For example, Heathrow is scheduled as:
Bangkok-Heathrow: 00:55-07:15
Heathrow-Phuket: 12:30-06:10+1 (the next day)
Phuket-Bangkok: 07:45-09:15
Why is it happening?
Thailand's borders have remained closed for a long time, with a tentative reopening date of July 1st.
This is likely to change further depending on the progress of Thailand's third wave of coronavirus.
Vaccinations will be all-important to visiting Phuket, among various other requirements, with Phuket expected to lead the country's recovery effort ahead of other areas.
As is often the case with COVID, uncertainty surrounds the situation. In an article published on May 11th, The Points Guy pointed out that the quarantine-free agreement has been reversed.
Of course, returning home may also prove problematic, especially as Thailand is not on England's green list of countries. Instead, it is amber, which requires passengers to quarantine at home.
Europe to Phuket
It's no surprise that Thai Airways has chosen these six routes to Phuket. After all, most routes were served by the airline before the pandemic hit, showing how important they were to both the island and the carrier.
Indeed, across all airlines, passenger traffic to/from the four European destinations is strong, based on 2019 booking data obtained from OAG Traffic Analyzer.
London: approximately 160,000 point-to-point round-trip passengers
Frankfurt: 145,000
Paris: 130,000
Copenhagen: 66,000
TUI Airways will resume Gatwick-Phuket on a once-weekly basis from this October, while TUI Nordic is set to restart Copenhagen-Phuket from November.
London to Phuket
Thai Airways carried the most London to Phuket passengers in 2019, with about 53,000 estimated to have connected over Suvarnabhumi.
It was the carrier's largest transit market, with the rest of its top-10 being London to Ko Samui, Krabi, Auckland, Hanoi, Perth, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Melbourne, and Siem Reap.
The Gulf carriers have really grown in Phuket in recent years, with up to 45 weekly departures in 2019.
It is therefore no surprise that they were also important in reaching Phuket, although Qatar and the UAE are now on the UK's red list of countries.
Qatar Airways via Doha saw the second-highest number of London passengers, followed by Emirates via Dubai. Then it was:
King of Thailand 'rushed to ICU' with breathing problems
King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has been rushed to an Intensive Care Unit at Siriraj Hospital according to reports.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne in 2016 following the death of of his long-reigning father Bhumibol Adulyadej
The 68-year-old monarch was admitted to ICU a few days ago after suffering from respiratory problems.
Andrew MacGregor Marshall, a journalist specialising in the activities of Thailand's Royal Family, says The King's condition is not understood to be life threatening.
Mr MacGregor Marshall tweeted: "King Vajiralongkorn was rushed to intensive care at Siriraj Hospital a few days ago because of respiratory problems, according to several informed sources.
"Sources say the king was initially treated at Bangkok Hospital then transferred to Siriraj when his condition became serious.
"Despite the rumours, right now there is no sign The King's illness is life-threatening. He has respiratory problems, probably not Covid-related, and was in the ICU at Siriraj."
There has been no official comment from the Thai Royal Household, with speculation becoming increasingly rampant on social media.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun was born to King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit on 28 July 1952 in Bangkok.
The 68-year-old came to the throne after the death of his father in October 2016. His father was beloved in Thailand, and his death led to widespread mourning across the country.
The current King has faced significant opposition however, despite strict lèse majesté laws which can carry up to a 15-year prison sentence.
The King spends the majority of his time with his harem, including his Royal Noble Consort, in a hotel in Germany while the Queen resides in Switzerland.
Mass protests have broken out in the past year throughout Thailand against his reign with people demanding a new Prime Minister, new constitution and a reform of the monarchy. – Royal Central
PM's office deputy spokeswoman Traisuree Traisarankun has given details about how Thailand will open up to foreign tourism.
It appears the Thais are on track despite the current devastating and most severe wave of Covid-19 yet that is prevalent in the country, reported Siam Rath.
She said there are four timeframes (called Timelines by Siam Rath as per the latest buzzword).
#1 We're in that at the moment. This one runs from April 30th to June 30th and allows foreign tourists who have proof of vaccination to come but they must quarantine as per CCSA (Covid committee) requirements.
#2 That's July 1st to 30th September and is called the "Phuket Sandbox" - this applies to foreigners who have proof of vaccination that can then stay in that province without the need to quarantine
#3 This is the period from October 1st to the end of the year when the sandbox is opened up to 10 provinces including Phuket - Bangkok, parts of Krabi and Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Phangnga and Buriram.
#4 This is from January 1st 2022 when everything is starting to get back to normal. Now ALL of Thailand will be opened up to foreign tourists who have proof of vaccination.
Traisuree said that 70% vaccination of the locals population in the tourist areas was the target by later in the year. The ten provinces mentioned accounted for 80% of tourism revenue in the country in 2019.
That was 1.5 trillion baht out of the total.
Siam Rath didn't give an exact timeframe but said that 3.5 million foreigners would come and spend 298 billion baht.
Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand's minister of tourism and sports, said that 200,000 doses of vaccine had been administered in Phuket so far.
He said that 740,000 to 750,000 will be administered in time for the July 1st sandbox opening.
With capabilities at 15,000 jabs a day there is plenty of time to get to the 70% herd immunity mark, he said.
The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 64 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 14th), a slight rise from yesterday.
This makes a total of 3,611 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,325 still in medical care, with a total eleven recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.
Additionally, 2,275 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 122 people were released yesterday.
The district-level new cases were as follows today:
Mueang Chonburi with 17, Si Racha 6, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 28, Phanat Nikhom 1, Sattahip 2, Ban Bueng 3, Phan Thong 2, Nong Yai 1, and 4 patients from other provinces transferred to Chonburi for medical care.
The details on today's cases given were:
Contact from previous confirmed cases
11 family members who were close contacts
5 from work places
Contacted from previous confirmed cases and being investigated 27 cases.
Under investigation 21 cases
In the last day, a total of 175 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 765 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community.
All are pending results. Additionally, another 217 people were tested from Royal mobile testing vans and are also waiting for results as officials step up aggressive community testing.
Sometime later today officials with the Thai government are expected to meet around reviewing zone designations and restrictions, although there is no guarantee of changes.
The ambiance at Don Mueang airport before the third wave. Domestic tourism spending should weaken this year. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has downgraded its outlook for domestic trips and tourism receipts this year because of the economic downturn, with the third wave undermining domestic tourism.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the country needs to maintain the momentum of the 90.5 million domestic trips recorded last year with support from upcoming tourism measures such as "We Travel Together", a hotel and airline subsidy, and "Tour Teaw Thai" (Travel Around Thailand), a co-payment scheme for tour packages.
He said the measures may start by the end of June or early July, when the outbreak is hopefully under control, and could extend to Oct 31, a month longer than the previous deadline of September.
The budget for the schemes comes from the emergency loan decree to help mitigate the impact of the outbreak, which needs to be cleared by the end of the year, said Mr Yuthasak.
The agency still needs cabinet approval for the new deadline for these schemes.
Apart from stimulus schemes, TAT plans to run tourism marketing campaigns to encourage locals to take more domestic trips, such as the new series of Unseen Thailand that was postponed because of the third wave in April, he said.
"We have to stimulate the number of trips rather than increase spending per trip, which is more difficult during a tepid economy," said Mr Yuthasak.
Average spending for domestic travellers was 4,300 baht per trip prior to the pandemic, but the figure is expected to dip during the new outbreak.
If the country starts to reopen in the final quarter, Thai travellers might be able to resume outbound travel and could spend more on overseas trips, he said.
Mr Yuthasak said the agency must come up with incentives for companies and provincial administrative organisations to increase their number of trips to maintain jobs and drive the economic recovery next year.
Local sentiment concerning international arrivals in "sandbox" areas is another challenge that needs to be monitored closely, as some Thai tourists might avoid these destinations, he said.
The previous goal for domestic trips was cut at the end of April to 100-120 million trips from 160 million, with tourism revenue decreased to 550 billion baht from 870 billion after the third outbreak ravaged tourism sentiment during Songkran.
The spokesman for the Thai CCSA, or Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, confirmed this afternoon to the Thai media that the CCSA was planning to evaluate the past several weeks of Covid-19 related measures, especially around "deep red" zones, in the country.
Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesperson for the Covid-19 center, made the announcement early this afternoon when a reporter for the associated press asked about the restrictions and measures.
Currently, Thailand divides provinces into zones based on risk and Covid-19 cases, with six areas/provinces currently "deep red" which includes Bangkok, Chonburi, Chiang Mai among others. Other provinces are either orange or red based on infections and cases. Some provinces have not had any cases in weeks, whereas others like Bangkok remain the epicenter of the current round of Covid-19. Most of the dark red provinces have remained roughly the same in terms of cases (or risen like Bangkok) but some, including Chiang Mai and Chonburi, have dropped.
Measures in place for deep red zones include a ban on dine-in, gyms, and early closing times/take-away times for grocery stores and convenience stores. Entertainment venues are currently closed nationwide regardless of zone color. Many provinces have adopted provincial rules that strengthen the national restrictions, notably Phuket and Surat Thani where even social gatherings of as small as two outside of a direct household are banned, regardless of color-coding. The Pattaya News notes that even if the CCSA downgrades Chonburi to allow dine-in, the final decision would be with the Governor who could strengthen restrictions if they wish.
Dr. Taweesin stated to the press that any new measures would be announced at the daily Covid-19 briefing scheduled for tomorrow, May 14th. This comes as some prominent doctors in Thailand, including advisors to the CCSA, are pushing for tougher restrictions in some areas, especially Bangkok, where the majority of daily Covid-19 cases in the country are coming from. Meanwhile, in places like Chiang Mai that have seen a reduction in cases, restaurant associations, and even the Governor have pleaded with the CCSA to consider reducing them from deep-red status and allow dine-in at restaurants or risk putting tens of thousands of jobs at risk.
We will update our readers as soon as announcements are released, but remind them that any statements from the CCSA would also need to await a Governor's order for regional measures.
People receive Covid-19 vaccines in Phuket. The island is rushing to vaccinate locals ahead of the reopening initiative slated for July 1. (Photo by Achadthaya Chuenniran)
Phuket is set to welcome 129,000 international tourists in the first three months of the quarantine-free programme, while the government will team up with airlines to subsidise 100,000 one-way domestic air tickets, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the reopening initiative -- Phuket Sandbox -- is expected to attract 30,000-40,000 tourists per month with long-haul markets being the main target.
He said seven-day tour packages in Phuket will cost around 150,000-200,000 baht per person, which is significantly higher than average spending per of around 50,000 baht per trip prior to the outbreak.
Tourists have to board a direct flight to the island to ensure safety, but if time slots at the airport are fully booked, tourists can transit at Suvarnabhumi airport via a sealed terminal.
TAT also discussed with Thai Airways and Thai Smiles Airways a subsidy scheme for domestic air fares of 1,000-2,000 baht for tourists who visit Phuket via the sandbox programme and will expand this joint promotion with all local airlines.
Mr Yuthasak said tourism would gear up towards this year's tourism goal of 3-4 million visitors in the fourth quarter after another nine areas in the reopening plan are included.
The agency plans to propose standard operating procedures (SOP) of entry process for international arrivals, such as procedures on Covid-19 testing and guidelines for sealed routes to the Centre for Economic Situation Administration for approval within this month.
After the SOP is approved and once there is an official announcement in the Royal Gazette, tour operators can proceed with sales and marketing plans.
TAT also has to work on supply development and vaccination plans, including risk management in the case of an emergency.
He said the country has to watch out for new infection clusters, especially in Bangkok, as it may affect the vaccine distribution to Phuket.
"The new outbreak in Thailand didn't affect tourism sentiment in foreign markets as the media in each country turned their focus towards the situation in India and domestic cases in their own countries," said Mr Yuthasak.
"However, travel agents expressed concern that the virus situation may affect the reopening timeline which prompted TAT to confirm that everything is running as scheduled."
He said travel agents are waiting for clear entry regulations, so they can offer packages to their customers.
Phuket COVID restrictions extended, foreigners breaking order face expulsion
PHUKET: The raft of restrictions in effect across Phuket to prevent the spread of CVOID-19 have been extended through to May 31 under a new provincial order issued today (May 12). The order included a warning that foreigners failing to observe the restrictions in place regarding gatherings may be expelled from the country.
The new five-page provincial order was published just before midday today (May 12).
The order, dated as issued and signed by Governor Narong today, is marked to come into effect tomorrow (May 13).
The order extended the previous restrictions already in place (see links below).
However, the new order now includes a provision expressly banning any people from visiting any other person's home for the purpose of gathering.
The new order does not stipulate how many people gathering at a private home was to be deemed illegal.
Section 5 of the previous order, regarding "Social activities", mandated, "For social activities, all people must refrain from gathering for celebration, such as birthday parties, welcome or farewell parties, or others, except traditional events, such as funerals, weddings, or ordination. If the event cannot be postponed, the organiser must strictly follow the disease control measure to reduce the risk of spreading the disease."
Section 5 of the new order is now separated into sections 5.1 and 5.2.
Section 5.1 features the exact same wording as the previous order.
However, Section 5.2 clearly states, "5.2 Eating, drinking or celebrating among family at a house or other kind of accommodation must not include outsiders. Gathering to do any activities that are at risk of spreading infections must be prohibited.
"If those who fail to comply with this measure are foreigners, their permission of being granted to remain in the Kingdom under the Immigration Act will be taken into consideration."
The revised order comes after two foreigners were fined for B6,000 each for holding an illegal gathering at a home in Cherng Talay last Sunday (May 9) that was deemed by local officials and police to be a party.
Meanwhile, Section 1 of the order, marked "Gathering for activities which risk being infected", notes the following:
1.2 Activities that have more than 30 people gathering are prohibited, except whereby the organisers have received approval from an officer or the activities are held by officers themselves. The disease control measures must be strictly applied.
1.3 Gathering to celebrate by drinking alcohol beverages in any public places is prohibited. The public places are beaches, public parks, playgrounds, canal sides, reservoir sides, pond sides, etc."
Thai Airways creditors delay vote on debt restructuring plan
A Thai Airways aircraft is seen taking off past the tails of two other Thai Airways planes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international aiport on Nov 24, 2014. (AFP file photo)
Thai Airways International Plc delayed a vote on its restructuring plan by a week after some creditors pushed for changes and sought time to study some last-minute tweaks unveiled by the administrator. Debtholders met Wednesday by video conference to discuss the restructuring plan and some proposed to push back the vote until next week, Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, chairman of Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok, said by phone. Lenders holding 10% of the debt can seek a delay, Mr Kitipong said. The national flag carrier needs more than 50% of creditors to accept its plan, which is part of measures to help it return to profitability as it navigates the devastation wreaked on the global travel industry by the pandemic. The airline, which has total liabilities of at least $11 billion, in March proposed a three-year freeze on loan repayments in one of the nation's most high-profile restructurings. Thai Airways is seeking a deferment of bond repayments for six years and a waiver of unpaid interest on loans as part of the plan, involving about 170 billion baht of debt. It's also looking to raise 50 billion baht in new capital, plans to slash its workforce in half and sell property to help return to profitability. Thailand is facing renewed woes more than a year into the pandemic as a new wave of infections brings more turmoil to its crucial travel sector. Thai Airways, which saw a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, joins other global peers in trying to get debt relief as mass flight suspensions cause carriers to seek financial help from governments and investors. A senior lawyer at Kudun & Partners Ltd, which is representing the creditors, said in March that their initial response to the proposed restructuring was favourable. The Finance Ministry, the airline's largest shareholder, indicated its backing for the debt plan that same month. Thai Airways creditors delay vote on debt restructuring plan A vote by creditors on whether to approve Thai Airways International Plc's debt restructuring plan has been delayed by about a week, according to the carrier's legal adviser. Debtholders met Wednesday by video conference to discuss the restructuring plan and some proposed to push back the vote until next week, Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, chairman of Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok, said by phone. Lenders holding 10% of the debt can seek a delay, Mr Kitipong said. The national flag carrier needs more than 50% of creditors to accept its plan, which is part of measures to help it return to profitability as it navigates the devastation wreaked on the global travel industry by the pandemic. The airline, which has total liabilities of at least $11 billion, in March proposed a three-year freeze on loan repayments in one of the nation's most high-profile restructurings. Thai Airways is seeking a deferment of bond repayments for six years and a waiver of unpaid interest on loans as part of the plan, involving about 170 billion baht of debt. It's also looking to raise 50 billion baht in new capital, plans to slash its workforce in half and sell property to help return to profitability. Thailand is facing renewed woes more than a year into the pandemic as a new wave of infections brings more turmoil to its crucial travel sector. Thai Airways, which saw a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, joins other global peers in trying to get debt relief as mass flight suspensions cause carriers to seek financial help from governments and investors. A senior lawyer at Kudun & Partners Ltd, which is representing the creditors, said in March that their initial response to the proposed restructuring was favourable. The Finance Ministry, the airline's largest shareholder, indicated its backing for the debt plan that same month. Thai Airways creditors delay vote on debt restructuring plan A vote by creditors on whether to approve Thai Airways International Plc's debt restructuring plan has been delayed by about a week, according to the carrier's legal adviser. Debtholders met Wednesday by video conference to discuss the restructuring plan and some proposed to push back the vote until next week, Kitipong Urapeepatanapong, chairman of Baker & McKenzie in Bangkok, said by phone. Lenders holding 10% of the debt can seek a delay, Mr Kitipong said. The national flag carrier needs more than 50% of creditors to accept its plan, which is part of measures to help it return to profitability as it navigates the devastation wreaked on the global travel industry by the pandemic. The airline, which has total liabilities of at least $11 billion, in March proposed a three-year freeze on loan repayments in one of the nation's most high-profile restructurings. Thai Airways is seeking a deferment of bond repayments for six years and a waiver of unpaid interest on loans as part of the plan, involving about 170 billion baht of debt. It's also looking to raise 50 billion baht in new capital, plans to slash its workforce in half and sell property to help return to profitability. Thailand is facing renewed woes more than a year into the pandemic as a new wave of infections brings more turmoil to its crucial travel sector. Thai Airways, which saw a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, joins other global peers in trying to get debt relief as mass flight suspensions cause carriers to seek financial help from governments and investors. A senior lawyer at Kudun & Partners Ltd, which is representing the creditors, said in March that their initial response to the proposed restructuring was favourable. The Finance Ministry, the airline's largest shareholder, indicated its backing for the debt plan that same month. A vote by creditors on whether to approve Thai Airways International Plc's debt restructuring plan has been delayed by about a week, according to the carrier's legal adviser. A vote by creditors on whether to approve Thai Airways International Plc's debt restructuring plan has been delayed by about a week, according to the carrier's legal adviser.
The creditors will now meet again on May 19 after 20 of them proposed postponing the vote, Thai Airways said in a statement. At Wednesday's meeting held by video conference, some debtholders sought more clarity about details of the restructuring plan which included some changes, the carrier said.
The carrier's stock swung between gains and losses before trading 3.7% higher at 4.30pm in Bangkok. The stock has tumbled 45% since the exchange lifted a trading suspension on April 16.
The national flag carrier needs more than 50% of creditors to accept its plan, which is part of measures to help it return to profitability as it navigates the devastation wreaked on the global travel industry by the pandemic. The airline, which has total liabilities of at least $11 billion, in March proposed a three-year freeze on loan repayments in one of the nation's most high-profile restructurings.
Thai Airways is seeking a deferment of bond repayments for six years and a waiver of unpaid interest on loans as part of the plan, involving about 170 billion baht of debt. It's also looking to raise 50 billion baht in new capital, plans to slash its workforce in half and sell property to help return to profitability.
Thailand is facing renewed woes more than a year into the pandemic as a new wave of infections brings more turmoil to its crucial travel sector. Thai Airways, which saw a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, joins other global peers in trying to get debt relief as mass flight suspensions cause carriers to seek financial help from governments and investors.
A senior lawyer at Kudun & Partners Ltd, which is representing bondholders, said in March that their initial response to the proposed restructuring was favourable.
Thailand is facing renewed woes more than a year into the pandemic as a new wave of infections brings more turmoil to its crucial travel sector. Thai Airways, which saw a record loss of 141 billion baht last year, joins other global peers in trying to get debt relief as mass flight suspensions cause carriers to seek financial help from governments and investors.
The governor said today, May 12th, that the provincial authorities had set a target for the number of daily infections to go down to one digit by May 15thin order to reopen the island to international tourists on July 1st.
"But if the number of infections continues at 10-15 cases a day, the plan might not be implemented anytime soon. Therefore, we all must work together to reduce the number of daily infections to the lowest possible rate," Narong stated.
Dr. Kusak Kukiatikul of the provincial health office said the Covid-19 situation in Phuket was still concerning as the number of daily infections continued to rise, especially among high-risk people in local quarantines and proactive screening.
New clusters were still detected during active finding because there were still social gatherings, socializing, and partying in violation of Phuket's Covid-19 restrictions. The provincial health office would have to conduct more aggressive measures since the number of infections was still at a high rate, Dr. Kusak continued.
Some residents in Phuket reportedly violated the emergency health controls by conducting what officials called a large gathering earlier this week. The Pattaya News notes the actual number of people gathered at this "large gathering" was six. As of Sunday, a group of Thai and British nationals was captured at a house in the Thalang district of Phuket after reportedly gathering and drinking in a violation of disease decrees and provincial Covid-19 control measures. The incident drew significant discussion on social media, with many surprised that it would be considered a gathering.
The Pattaya News notes that under the Emergency Decree, as few as two people not from the same household could be considered a gathering if it was for socializing or mingling purposes and could face legal repercussions.
PM wants Covid-19 vaccinations to become top priority
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he proposed to a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that Covid-19 vaccinations should become a national agenda in which the government would prioritise procurement and distribution of vaccines, and he would therefore like to urge people to register to get the all-important jab.
So far, about 1.6 million people aged 60 and above and those with seven types of underlying health conditions have signed up for vaccinations. Of this number, more than 500,000 are in Bangkok and over 200,000 in the northern province of Lampang.
The government has opened registration channels via the Mor Phrom (Doctors Ready) Line application and at provincial health offices and public hospitals since May 1.
"The vaccines procured by the government have passed the Public Health Ministry's safety standard and are effective against the virus. They are the same kinds of vaccines that have been given to tens of millions people in several countries with low occurrences of severe side effects," Prayut pointed out.
"These vaccines can almost 100 per cent prevent patients from developing severe symptoms or dying if they contracted the coronavirus," he said.
"Me and other members of the Cabinet have already been vaccinated without any undesirable side effects," he added.
Prayut also said he wants Thailand to become a hub for manufacturing the AstraZeneca vaccine in Asean. He vowed to procure enough vaccines for every Thai citizen and subsequently purchase more doses to keep in reserve.
On Sunday AstraZeneca (Thailand) announced that samples from test batches of its Covid-19 vaccine made in Thailand by Siam Bioscience had passed quality testing at AstraZeneca's designated laboratories in Europe and the US.
"This significant progress means we are getting closer to delivering the first batch of the vaccine to the government of Thailand," the company said.
The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 57 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 this morning (May 12th), the lowest number of cases since April 9th.
This makes a total of 3,491 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 1,430 still in medical care, with ten recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April.
Additionally, 2,051 people in total have now been released from medical care and fully recovered since this current wave began. 112 people were released yesterday.
The district-level new cases were as follows today:
Mueang Chonburi with 18, Si Racha 9, Banglamung (including Pattaya) 21, Sattahip 1, Ban Bueang 2, and Phan Thong 6.
The details on today's cases given were:
12 close contacts in family members from previous patients and 6 co-workers at places of employment
2. Under investigation for 39 cases
In the last day, a total of 320 close contacts were tested from contact tracing, and 485 people were tested in proactive testing when medical staff goes out into the community.
All are pending results along with what the health department stated is a number of other results also pending. Wider scale testing at factories and high-risk occupations is still set to begin this week in Chonburi.
Chonburi Public Health Department officials stated that almost all of the new cases are being driven by private gatherings, primarily small ones with 2-3 people outside of the household having drinks or food together. They continue to urge people to not participate in any activities with anyone outside of their own household at this time and continue to work from home if possible and avoid public places.
