The Minister hosted a meeting with representatives from nine business associations who arrived at the Ministry to submit a petition, urging for relaxation for some businesses to be operated under disease control measures. Conspicuous in their absence were representatives from the entertainment, bar, live music, and nightlife industry, arguably the hardest hit sector of business, having been closed basically nationwide since April. Pattaya News

Thai Health Minister meets with most business sectors about easing Covid19 restrictions in maximum control provinces

The Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today, August 24th, held a discussion with nine major business groups around introducing potential relaxation measures to allow dining-in at restaurants, as well as other easing of restrictions, to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Tuesday, 24 August 2021, 20:07

PHOTO: PR - Ministry of Public Health

Bangkok –

The Minister hosted a meeting with representatives from nine business associations who arrived at the Ministry to submit a petition, urging for relaxation for some businesses to be operated under disease control measures.

The associations included restaurant business operators, the Furniture Industry Group, the Industrial Group of Thailand, Private Clinical Association, Thai Spa Operators Association, Thai Garment Industry Association, Thai Golf Club Association, Association of Thai Hairdressers, and the Thai Restaurant Association.

Conspicuous in their absence were representatives from the entertainment, bar, live music, and nightlife industry, arguably the hardest hit sector of business, having been closed basically nationwide since April.

According to the petition of those who attended the meeting, business reopening should be divided into 3 phases. In the first phase, restaurants should be allowed to open at 50 percent of their capacity while other businesses, including construction, furniture, dental clinics, massage parlors and spas, medical clinics, beauty institutions, IT equipment and electricity, and office buildings, should be reopened under a first phase by September 1st.

In the second phase, 75 percent of restaurants capacity should be approved by September 15th. Clothing stores and educational institutions should be operated as well. And in the last phase, scheduled for the end of September, restaurants should be fully allowed to open for customers as well as other health care businesses, playgrounds, fitness centers, indoor exercise venues, cinemas, etc, reopening nearly every business sector except for the nightlife, entertainment, and bar industry.

The nightlife and entertainment economy was left out of the proposed plan as according to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, it is difficult to open even with many rules during the Covid-19 situation.

PHOTO: PR – Ministry of Public Health

Anutin stated during the meeting that the government had been trying to find a solution for all entrepreneurs and a balance between business and Covid-19 health restrictions but there were many things beyond his control, such as the discovery of new mutants. However, he also thanked all business sectors for their understanding and cooperation during this hardship.

Dr. Kiattipoom Wongrachit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, revealed to the press after the meeting that the Ministry will propose to the CCSA at a general meeting this Friday, August 27th, regarding the relaxation of some preventive measures. However, the reopening of dine-in at restaurants is likely, according to his statement.

"The will be proposed to the CCSA meeting this Friday. However, it is possible that the CCSA would allow about 50 percent capacity to reopen dine-in restaurants and more relaxation of outdoor establishments, fitness centers, and so on," he stated.

TPN media notes that this is for 29 maximum control zones like Chonburi and Bangkok where currently dine-in is banned. Provinces that are not a maximum control zone already have dine-in open.

We also note that one possible rule or measure proposed was proof of being vaccinated or recovered against Covid-19 before going to restaurants or "high-risk" venues. However, it is currently only a preliminary proposal and nothing is final or decided

The Delta variant of Covid-19 has spread to all 77 provinces, along with four sub-variants that have not shown themselves to be especially harmful mutations yet, a senior medical official said on Tuesday. Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said the Delta variant had spared Suphanburi province until this week, but had now been detected there. He said widespread outbreaks of a variant naturally led to sub-variants. However, they were not Thai variants because they had been previously found in Britain, Denmark, France, Spain and the United States, he said. Bangkok Post

Delta sub-variants detected, but not of special concern

People seek testing for Covid-19 in Nong Chok district of Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The Delta variant of Covid-19 has spread to all 77 provinces, along with four sub-variants that have not shown themselves to be especially harmful mutations yet, a senior medical official said on Tuesday.

Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said the Delta variant had spared Suphanburi province until this week, but had now been detected there.

It was now found in all provinces and was the dominant variant found in 93% of sampled Covid-19 cases nationwide.

He said widespread outbreaks of a variant naturally led to sub-variants. However, they were not Thai variants because they had been previously found in Britain, Denmark, France, Spain and the United States, he said.

The four sub-variants had not shown any particularly harmful characteristics, but health officials were monitoring their development, Dr Supakit said.

The Centre for Medical Genomics of Ramathibodi Hospital recently detected these four sub-variants:

• AY.4 (B.1.617.2.4) in four patients in Pathum Thani and one each in Kamphaeng Phet, Chiang Mai, Samut Prakan and Chon Buri between June and August
• AY.6 (B.1.617.2.6)  in a patient in Bangkok in July
• AY.10 (B.1.617.2.10) in one patient in Bangkok in July
• AY.12 (B.1.617.2.15) in a patient in Bangkok and two others in Surat Thani from July to August. 

Prof Emeritus Wasun Chatratita, head of the hospital's Centre for Medical Genomics, said the four sub-variants were detected among local infections, not in quarantined arrivals.

Researchers were studying whether they showed resistance to vaccines or were more contagious, he said.

Thailand could see 500,000 more infections if the country rushes reopening. Thailand could see an additional 500,000 Covid-19 cases and 7,500 fatalities by the end of the year if the prime minister’s reopening plan in October remains on track, a medical professor said on Tuesday. Thai Enquirer

Thailand could see 500,000 more infections if the country rushes reopening

August 24, 2021

Thailand could see an additional 500,000 Covid-19 cases and 7,500 fatalities by the end of the year if the prime minister's reopening plan in October remains on track, a medical professor said on Tuesday.

This includes likely unreported cases and asymptomatic cases, said Dr Thira Woratanarat, a professor of medicine at Chulalongkorn University, on his Facebook page.

Thira added that the impact of Covid-19 went beyond statistics.

"Covid-19 impacts more than just the infected, it affects the family of the infected as well and has ramifications for the entire economy in the long term," Thira said.

Prime minister Prayut Chan-ocha said in June that he wants to open the country's borders by October despite a surge in case numbers due to the Delta variant.

Thailand has recorded over 1,050,000 coronavirus cases and 9,300 deaths since the pandemic began.

According to Thira, the only solution for the country is to innoculate the population.

Around 28 per cent of the population has received one dose of Covid-19 vaccine while 8 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Rising unemployment rate

Case numbers in Thailand have fallen for three days but experts urged caution even as the lifting of lockdown restrictions were being considered by the cabinet.

Businesses and business leaders have petitioned the government to lift lockdown restrictions.

The Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) said that unemployment in the third quarter will likely surge due to the restrictions.

The number of unemployed workers is anticipated to reach 937,500 in the second quarter That would bring the country's unemployment rate to 2.5 percent up from 1.06 percent in the first quarter, Tanit Sorat, the vice-chairman of EconThai said.

According to EconThai, the jobless are those who work only 1-19 hours per week, whereas the employed work at least eight hours per day, or 48 hours per week.

Delta responsible for more than 9 in 10 new cases. The Delta variant now accounts for nearly 93 per cent of new Covid-19 infections in Thailand, the Department of Medical Science said on Tuesday. The Nation

The Delta variant now accounts for nearly 93 per cent of new Covid-19 infections in Thailand, the Department of Medical Science said on Tuesday.

Dr Supphakit Siriluck, the department's director-general, said its latest weekly survey of new cases from August 14-20 showed that 2,132 out of 2,295 samples (92.9 per cent), were infected with Delta, formerly known as the Indian strain.

"Delta is responsible for 96.7 per cent of cases found in Bangkok and 85.2 per cent found in all other provinces," he said.

The Alpha variant accounted for 5.8 per cent of cases sampled (134 patients) while the Beta variant accounted for only 1.3 per cent (29 patients). The Beta cases were mostly found in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Krabi, Phuket, Pattani and Songkhla, said Supphakit.

He added that a factory employee in Samut Sakhon province who cited a laboratory result to claim he had tested positive for Covid-19 so he could take sick leave was later found to have faked the result and has not contracted the virus.

"The Department of Medical Science keeps detailed records of all Covid-19 tests by certified laboratories, so we can verify a test result and immediately know which ones are fake," he warned. "Do not use fake test results, whether to take sick leave or to claim insurance, as falsifying documents is a serious criminal offence," he added.

Published : August 24, 2021 

By :  THE NATION

Updates on transport services in Thailand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Monday announced changes to air and road travel in response to the extension of Covid-19 control measures. The Nation

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on Monday announced changes to air and road travel in response to the extension of Covid-19 control measures.

Air Travel

Bangkok Airways

From August 25, the airline will resume direct flights to Samui and Phuket in line with the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus programmes that were launched on July 1 and July 15 respectively.

Passengers travelling to Samui and Phuket are required to present a medical certificate, a negative Covid-19 test result and proof of complete vaccination. Only tests using the RT-PCR technique and issued no more than 72 hours before travel will be considered.

In-flight meals and use of the airline's passenger lounge will continue being suspended.

Bangkok Airways has also adjusted flights to other destinations in Thailand as of September 1 in line with the Covid-19 control measures that are in place until August 31.

Flights between Samui and Singapore under the Samui Plus scheme will continue as normal.

Nok Air

From August 19 to 31, Nok Air will be offering round-trip flights from U-Tapao Airport to Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Phuket.

Thai AirAsia

Thai AirAsia has announced it will temporarily cease all operations in August.

Thai Smile Airways

Thai Smile will operate a special charter flight from Phuket to Bangkok on August 26. Flight WE 8784 will depart Phuket at 2.30pm and arrive in Bangkok at 4pm.

The airline has suspended all domestic flights until the end of August and will resume flights from September 1.

Road travel

Interprovincial Buses

The Transport Company has temporarily suspended services to the North, Northeast, East and South from August 3 until further notice.

Passengers who have bought tickets in advance for travel after August 3 can either seek a refund or have the ticket rescheduled for travel at any time this year. Travellers who have bought their ticket using the state welfare card are not eligible for a refund but can reschedule their trip.

Sandbox Express Bus

This bus service from Phuket to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport is only provided for foreigners travelling under the Phuket Sandbox scheme.

Every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, the Sandbox Express will leave Central Festival Phuket at 5am and the Thalang PTT station at 5.30am and will arrive at Suvarnabhumi at 9pm on the same day.

When booking a seat on the express, passengers are required to provide their email address or telephone number, destination, flight number and flight date if applicable. They will also be required to provide a Covid-19 negative test result taken either via RT-PCR or rapid antigen test kit no more than 72 hours before departure if not a Sandbox guest or a valid "release form" if a Sandbox guest. Also required is a scanned copy of the passport, immigration stamp and visa number.

Minivan

Tourists travelling under the Phuket Sandbox scheme also have the option of taking a minivan to Bangkok every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Train Travel

The State Railway of Thailand is providing selected services to the North, Northeast, South and East of Thailand.

 

Boat Travel

Raja Ferry

The company is operating the following routes as normal:

Don Sak-Samui-Don Sak: 5am to 6pm daily

Samui-Pha-ngan: Last boat at 7pm.

Published : August 24, 2021 

By :  The Nation

CCSA to debate reopening plan. “It is hoped that from September until the end of this year, and next year, we will allow activities to restart and people to resume their normal lives,” he said. “Based on the figures currently available, it has been agreed that the outbreak situation has reached its peak and will slow down. Asked if this means a reopening for the whole country or only some areas, Dr Opas said the pledge made by the prime minister in June did not mean the whole country would reopen within 120 days. Phuket News







CCSA to debate reopening plan

Residents of the Prueksa 15 housing estate in Samut Prakan prepare ginger water to be distributed free to households within their community yesterday (Aug 24). Ginger water is believed to boost the body's immune system and ease COVID-19 symptoms. Photo: Somchai Poomlard

It will soon be considered by the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

Thailand logged 17,491 new cases over the previous 24 hours yesterday (Aug 24) - the lowest since July 30.

In light of this, the National Communicable Disease Committee (NCDC) will ask the CCSA to consider reopening some areas of the country, in line with the pledge made in June by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to do so in 120 days.

During a live TV broadcast to the nation on June 16, Gen Prayut said his government planned to reopen the country within the next 120 days. The statement was made despite the risk of a rise in COVID-19 infections.

Speaking after the committee meeting yesterday, Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said the committee agreed on four issues that will be presented to the CCSA for consideration.

One of the issues involves preparing for a safe reopening of the country under disease control measures known as "Smart Control and Living with COVID-19", which aim to contain the pandemic so new cases will not overwhelm the public health system, he said.

"We will now have to learn to live with COVID-19 with the knowledge that [COVID-19] will be an endemic disease, confined to a particular country," Dr Opas said.

One key strategy involves vaccinating at-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with underlying health problems; developing new vaccines; taking preventive measures and precautions at all times; and stepping up the work of COVID-19 comprehensive response teams (CCRT) visiting communities, Dr Opas said.

The committee also agreed with the planned bubble-and-seal approach for factories where clusters of COVID-19 infections were detected to curb transmissions, he said.

If more than 10% of workers are found to have COVID-19, they will be isolated at field hospitals, while the rest of the employees will be allowed to continue to work on the premises under close surveillance, Dr Opas said.

After 28 days, they will be tested for immunity, he said. If they pass the test, they will be allowed to return to work and go back home, he said. As a result, the factories will not be closed, workers will get their pay and the economy will move on, Dr Opas said.

Addressing questions about the details of the country's reopening plan, Dr Opas said current lockdown measures will expire on Aug 31 and the government will make an assessment of whether to reopen then.

"It is hoped that from September until the end of this year, and next year, we will allow activities to restart and people to resume their normal lives," he said. "Based on the figures currently available, it has been agreed that the outbreak situation has reached its peak and will slow down.

"However, the situation will be monitored for another three to four days to make sure the signs will be positive, though there are still some vulnerable areas that must be strictly controlled before the lockdown measures can be eased."

Asked if this means a reopening for the whole country or only some areas, Dr Opas said the pledge made by the prime minister in June did not mean the whole country would reopen within 120 days.

The reopening of Phuket under the tourism sandbox scheme is a good example of where local infections detected after the launch of the programme can be brought under control and tourists can still be allowed to visit the island province under strict disease control measures, Dr Opas said.

Anucha Burapachaisri, spokesman for Government House, yesterday said Gen Prayut held a teleconference with Pascal Claude Roland Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca Plc, who confirmed that the company will speed up delivering the rest of vaccine doses to meet a commitment made to deliver 61 million doses to Thailand before the end of the year.

Mr Anucha said the government plans to buy an extra 60mn AstraZeneca doses next year.

Infectious waste piling up in Pattaya City. Deputy mayor Manoj Nongyai, who is in charge of the city's environment office, said on Tuesday that before the Covid-19 pandemic, Pattaya had to handle about 800 kilogrammes of infectious waste each day. That had now increased to 7-8 tonnes per day -- infectious waste from hospitals, hospitels and community isolation centres. Bangkok Post

Infectious waste piling up in Pattaya City

PUBLISHED : 24 AUG 2021 AT 13:09

WRITER: CHAIYOT PUPATTANAPONG

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Workers collect red bags containing infectious waste in Pattaya. The quantity of infectious waste in Pattaya has increased along with the number of Covid-19 infections. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

CHON BURI: The growing number of Covid-19 patients in Pattaya is generating a huge amount of infectious waste, adding to the garbage disposal problems facing the seaside city.

Deputy mayor Manoj Nongyai, who is in charge of the city's environment office, said on Tuesday that before the Covid-19 pandemic, Pattaya had to handle about 800 kilogrammes of infectious waste each day.

That had now increased to 7-8 tonnes per day -- infectious waste from hospitals, hospitels and community isolation centres.

The company with the contract for garbage collection and disposal was not able to handle such an excessive quantity of infectious waste.

To solve the problem, the company had been asked to find and put more garbage trucks into service. The city administration had also trained and assigned employees to assist the company with the handling of infectious waste, which must be destroyed within seven days. 

As the number of new Covid-19 infections continued to rise and more hospitels were opened to take in patients, the amount of infectious waste was also likely to increase.

Mr Manoj said Covid-infected people staying in hospitels and community isolation centres should put infectious waste in red bags, so it could be easily sorted for disposal. The bags are provided by the city, he said

Koh Phangan: Foreigners continually breaking the Covid-19 rules test the patience of district chief. Manager reported that the district chief of Koh Phangan in the south of Thailand was using a "big stick" to deal with groups of foreigners on his island who refuse to follow the Covid-19 rules. Bangkok Herald

Picture: Manager

 

Manager reported that the district chief of Koh Phangan in the south of Thailand was using a "big stick" to deal with groups of foreigners on his island who refuse to follow the Covid-19 rules.

 

Large groups of foreigners - mostly Europeans - have been gathering, drinking and eating and lighting fires from dawn to dusk on a secluded and difficult to access beach called Laem Niat.

 

After locals complained again chief Phoonsak Sophonpathumrak sent in a special task force who had to clamber over rocks to access the beach that can't be reached by vehicles.

 

Picture: Manager

 

After their 1 km trek they found groups of 5-6 foreigners flouting the rules with many not wearing masks. Locals fear it will be a breeding ground for Covid.

 

Manager reported the latest moves that resulted in warnings and telling the foreigners to leave the beach and go back to their resorts. 

 

These foreigners are not tourists in the usual sense of the word - they live on Koh Phangan, notes ASEAN NOW.

 

The local kamnan Pongpang Songmuang said he had received many complaints and some foreigners have already been prosecuted for flouting the rules.

 

Now the island's district chief is cracking down with threats of stiff fines under the emergency decree rules if the foreigners continue to misbehave. 

 

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has reopened 60 of its 155 national parks nationwide from this month with more to come. Bangkok Herald

Thailand Reopens 60 National Parks

24 August 2021

Mist Over Doi Suthep.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has reopened 60 of its 155 national parks nationwide from this month with more to come.

Thanya Netithammakul, DNP director-general, said the reopenings would help minimize the impact of the Covis-19 restrictions for local businesses and communities around the parks.

However, he stated that parks are allowed to reopen under the conditions that strict public health measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infection are in place.

According to the DNP, below is the list of national parks that are open to visitors. This may change without prior notice, so travelers should revisit the list regularly updated by the National Park Office via this link, or its Facebook page: National Parks of Thailand.

CENTRAL REGION

Kanchanaburi

• Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Sai Yok National Park – open normally
• Thong Pha Phum National Park – open with some closed attractions

Prachuap Khiri Khan

• Ao Siam National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Kaeng Krachan National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Namtok Huai Yang National Park – open with some closed attractions

Ratchaburi

• Chaloem Phrakiat Thai Prachan National Park – open normally

EASTERN REGION

Chanthaburi

• Khao Khitchakut National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Namtok Phlio National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Khao Sip Ha Chan National Park – open with some closed attractions

Rayong

• Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park – open normally

Trat

• Namtok Khlong Kaeo National Park – open normally

NORTHERN REGION

Chiang Mai

• Doi Suthep-Pui National Park – open with some closed attractions

Chiang Rai

• Khun Chae National Park – open with some closed attractions

Kamphaeng Phet

• Khlong Lan National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Khlong Wang Chao National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Mae Wong National Park – open with some closed attractions

Lampang

• Mae Wa National Park – open normally

Lamphun

• Doi Khun Tan National Park – open normally

Mae Hong Son

• Tham Pla-Namtok Pha Suea National Park – open with some closed attractions

Nan

• Doi Phu Kha National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Khun Nan National Park – open normally
• Tham Sa Koen (Sa Koen Cave) – open normally
• Nanthaburi National Park – open normally

Phayao

• Mae Puem National Park – open normally

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Chaiyaphum

• Pa Hin Ngam National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Sai Thong National Park – open normally
• Tat Ton National Park – open normally
• Phu Laen Kha National Park – open normally

Khon Kaen

• Namphong National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Phu Wiang National Park – open with some closed attractions

Loei

• Phu Ruea National Park – open normally
• Phu Suan Sai National Park – open with some closed attractions

Nakhon Ratchasima

• Khao Yai National Park – open with some closed attractions

Sakhon Nakhon

• Phu Pha Lek National Park – open normally
• Phu Phan National Park – open normally
• Phu Pha Yon National Park – open normally
• Pha Taem National Park – open normally

SOUTHERN REGION

Chumphon

• Mu Ko Chumphon National Park – open with some closed attractions

Krabi

• Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park – open normally
• Khao Phanom Bencha National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Mu Ko Lanta National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Than Bok Khorani National Park – open normally

Nakhon Si Thammarat

• Khao Luang National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Khao Nan National Park – open normally
• Namtok Si Khit National Park – open normally
• Namtok Yong National Park – open with some closed attractions

Phang-Nga

• Ao Phang-Nga National Park – open normally
• Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park – open normally
• Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Si Phang-Nga National Park – open normally

Phuket

• Sirinat National Park – open normally

Satun

• Mu Ko Phetra National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Tarutao National Marine Park – open with some closed attractions
• Thale Ban National Park – open normally

Surat Thani

• Khao Sok National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Khlong Phanom National Park – open with some closed attractions
• Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park – open normally
• Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan National Park – open normally

Trang

• Hat Chao Mai National Park – open with some closed attractions

Thailand currently has a total of 155 national parks. Of these, another 95 national parks are temporarily closed under the 2021 annual seasonal closure of attractions that normally takes place during the rainy season. 

Prayut, AstraZeneca Clear Air Over Delivery of Covid-19 Vaccine. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the CEO of AstraZeneca Plc. met virtually Monday after weeks of acrimony over the delivery of its flagship coronavirus vaccine to Thailand. Prayut and Pascal Soriot discussed ongoing collaboration on Thailand’s efforts against the pandemic and how many doses of the vaccine produced locally by Siam Bioscience Co. will be provided to the kingdom. Bangkok Herald

Prayut, AstraZeneca Clear Air Over Delivery of Covid-19 Vaccine

24 August 2021

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the CEO of AstraZeneca Plc. met virtually Monday after weeks of acrimony over the delivery of its flagship coronavirus vaccine to Thailand.

Prayut and Pascal Soriot discussed ongoing collaboration on Thailand's efforts against the pandemic and how many doses of the vaccine produced locally by Siam Bioscience Co. will be provided to the kingdom.

The government said the discussion included the topic of accelerated deliveries of the vaccine, with the aim of delivering 61 million doses by the end of this year. The company will continue to work closely with the Department of Disease Control to support the mass vaccination program, the government said.

The Public Health Ministry and AstraZeneca have engaged in a war of words for weeks over how many doses of the crucial vaccine Thailand originally requested and AstraZeneca would deliver monthly.

After AstraZeneca said production problems would allow it to produce less than 5 million doses of the vaccine for Thailand monthly, ministry officials said AstraZeneca was obligated to deliver six million doses a month.

AstraZeneca then produced a copy of a letter from Thai officials requesting only 3.5 million doses a month.

The government now claims AstraZeneca will deliver the desired 6 million doses a month.

A government statement said Prayut and Soriot also discussed a second-generation AstraZeneca vaccine modified to prevent infection and illness from variants like beta and delta, which have ravaged Thailand since April.

The company's original Covid-19 vaccine, (ChAdOx1-S [Recombinant]), formerly AZD1222, was co-invented by the University of Oxford and its spin-off company, Vaccitech.

It uses a replication-deficient chimpanzee viral vector based on a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus) that causes infections in chimpanzees and contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein.

After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body.

This story contains reporting from the National News Bureau of Thailand.