13% of People in High-density Communities in Bangkok Are Infected with COVID-19
Thailand’s Rural Doctors’ Society (RDS) reports that over 13% of people in 40 high-density communities in Bangkok were found to be infected during proactive COVID-19 screening. According to the RDS, its medical teams and staff from hospitals from various provinces carried out two COVID-19 testing rounds in Bangkok, the first…
Epidemiology Division Expects COVID-19 Infections in Bangkok to Decline in Next 4-6 Weeks
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) expects COVID-19 infections in Bangkok to decline in late August and early September. DDC Epidemiology Division Director Dr. Chakkarat Pittayawong-anont said infections in Bangkok are likely to level off, with signs of improvement in four to six weeks. The COVID-19 situation in Bangkok is…
Thai Red Cross Seals Deal to Procure Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Next Year
The Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS) has reached a deal with the local importer of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to procure the second-generation of its vaccine next year. TRCS secretary-general Tej Bunnag said the deal will help the TRCS procure more effective vaccines directly and will provide more flexibility in…
Thailand’s Education Ministry Seeks 21.6 Billion baht to Subsidize Education Costs
Thailand’s Ministry of Education will seek Cabinet approval for 21.6 billion baht to subsidize education costs, at 2,000 baht per student in the elementary and vocational education systems, to mitigate financial burdens on parents as a result of COVID-19. Minister Trinuch Thienthong said the mitigation measures were proposed at a…
DDC Launches QueQ App for COVID-19 Test Appointments
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is enabling people to make appointments for COVID-19 tests, using the QueQ app. DDC Director-General Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said the app enables people to receive confirmation for a test the next day, if they register between 8am and 6pm. After submitting their request, applicants…
Phuket “Sandbox” Scheme Will Enable Foreign Visitors to Visit Other Locations
Thailand’s Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) has approved a proposal to let foreign visitors, participating in the Phuket “sandbox” scheme, to visit other tourist spots in three neighboring provinces after seven days, starting from 1 August. CESA spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the governors of the provinces containing popular tourist…
Thai Prime Minister Approves Tuition Cost Reduction Plan at Public Universities
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has approved a plan to cap tuition payments at public universities at 50% each semester, to lessen the financial burden on students and their parents amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and is expected to pass the proposed plan to the Cabinet for a budget allocation on…
Antigen COVID-19 Test Kits Have Sufficient Accuracy for Self-testing at Home
Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) says that the accuracy of Antigen Test Kits (ATK) for COVID-19 testing has been found to be adequate for self-testing at home. NHSO Secretary-General Dr Jadej Thammatacharee said the NHSO, along with the Public Health Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, conducted COVID-19 tests…
Looking Beyond 2021: Vaccine Access for Thailand
Article by Silada Rojratanakiat It is a challenge to comprehend Thailand’s COVID 19 vaccine strategy in the big picture, as nowadays, the headlines overwhelm society with criticisms, such as the slow pace of vaccinations and vaccine shortages. It is understandable that an increasingly complex environment should not be ignored, and…
Thai Government Asks Universities and Schools to Reduce Tuition Fees
Thailand’s Ministry of the Higher Education Science Research and Innovation has asked universities and schools to reduce their tuition fees by up to 50%, to help families cope with the difficult situation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Anek Laothammatas said the government will also provide subsidies to the universities and…