Most COVID-19 Infections in Thailand in April Were Caused by UK Variant
The Public Health Ministry said most COVID-19 cases found in April were caused by the UK variant, according to results from tests on 300 samples. Department of Medical Sciences Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the UK variant appeared in 93% of the samples. Regarding the South African variant, he said…
Environment Minister plants trees on National Tree Day
Along with Visakha Puja day, today is also Thailand’s National Tree Day. To celebrate the occasion, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) has held a tree planting ceremony promoting the national strategy to increase the country’s green areas over 20 years. The Minister of Natural Resources and…
The normal four-hour flight took as long as 35 plus hours
Lekha Shankar | Bangkok — so near, yet so far Covid does strange, surreal things. One of the strangest, most surreal things I did recently was take a shockingly long return-flight to Thailand from India. The normal four-hour flight took as long as 35+ hours (including two huge layovers), and…
South African Strain of COVID-19 Found in Narathiwat Province
The COVID-19 Network Investigations Group has found the B.1.351 COVID-19 variant, commonly known as the South African strain, in samples which the Public Health Ministry collected from people in an infection cluster in Tak Bai district on May 13th. The group said the strain contains spike mutations that may impact…
Indian COVID-19 Strain Not Resistant to AstraZeneca Vaccine
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has explained that the COVID-19 strain, which emerged in India and has been detected among workers at an Italian-Thai Development construction camp in Bangkok’s Lak Si area, is not resistant to the AstraZeneca vaccine. DDC Director-General Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong said 15 patients infected with…
More Repatriation Flights in June for Thai Nationals in India
The Thai embassy in New Delhi has announced that two more repatriation flights are planned in June, for Thai nationals still in India during the COVID-19 crisis. One flight is scheduled to leave from New Delhi and the other from Chennai. According to the embassy, on the first flight, which…
Schools prepare for June reopening
With the new term pushed back to a June 14 start, schools across the country are now making preparations for a safe reopening for their students and staff, from providing COVID-19 tests to implementing more stringent prevention measures at campuses. In Yala province, 135 teachers, school personnel, and interns at…
Labour Ministry pledges help for Thai workers in Israel
After two Thai nationals were reported killed in southern Israel on 18th May, casualties in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the Ministry of Thailand has announced that family of the deceased and those injured will receive help from both the Israeli and Thai authorities. The Minister of Labour Suchat Chomklin, announced today…
Mexico’s Andrea Meza Crowned Miss Universe 2021
Miss Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe 2020, the 69th edition of the contest, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, in Hollywood, Florida on May 16th, after an over 12 month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Julia Gama, from Brazil, was the first runner up, followed…
Press Council Issues Guidelinesfor Reporting COVID-19 Vaccination News
The National Press Council of Thailand has issued guidelines for reporting news about COVID-19 vaccinations, following the publication of inaccurate reports by several media outlets. According to the guidelines, the media should provide balanced information, without editorializing or adding opinion, and should pay very close attention to the accuracy of…