Covid 19 resurgence in Thailand - be careful

[Gaybutton]

Nothing about more vaccinations, at least not yet.
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Warning for Covid, influenza during Thailand's rainy season

by Apinya Wipatayotin

May 9, 2025

People are advised to continue to follow coronavirus and influenza prevention guidance as the virus is expected to spread more during the rainy season and following the opening of schools next week, according to Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC).

Since the start of the year, 41,197 people had been hospitalised with Covid-19, with 15 deaths, mostly people aged 60 and above, Dr Panumas Yanwetsakul, director-general of the DDC said on Thursday. In the same period, there were 322,991 patients with influenza, with 43 deaths reported.

Between May 4 and 8, there were 7,013 Covid-19 patients, with one death reported. Most of the patients were in the age range between 0-4 years old, followed by 30-39 and 20-29.

Dr Panumas said Thailand could continue to see infections as the virus spreads in crowded conditions and is influenced by weather, especially the rainy season.

The spread during recent weeks was believed to follow the crowded conditions during the Songkran festival.

However, the number of patients was decreasing and lower than the same periods of the last two years, Dr Panumas said.

Children are advised to strictly follow the prevention guidance – keeping their distance, wearing masks and frequently washing hands – in the crowded conditions that will follow after most schools open next week, said the physician.

The Department of Medical Sciences reported that the Covid situation in Thailand is evolving, as the Centre for Medical Genomics of Mahidol University has been monitoring the virus's mutations, particularly the PA.1 strain, which has evolved from the JN.1 lineage.

According to experts, its sub-lineage has shown a strong ability to evade existing immunity, highlighting that the virus continues to adapt and change, making ongoing vigilance necessary.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... iny-season

[Jun]

Nothing about more vaccinations, at least not yet.

I wouldn't wait for anything sensible from the Thai authorities.
Developed countries prioritised vaccination of the elderly, who are the ones most at risk & many were quite successful in getting a good vaccine uptake. The last time I looked, even Cambodia had a better uptake of vaccinations than Thailand.

For comparison, the independent body that advises on vaccinations in the UK is currently recommending 2 vaccinations per year for the over 75s & that is what the NHS offers.
My elderly relatives mostly get theirs, although there are some loons with anti-vaxxer tendencies who think they know better than people who have studied the data.

I believe the German STIKO organisation recommends annual boosters for over 60s.

Google would probably find the current recommendation for every developed country. Often recommendations made by independent experts. Good luck finding that for Thailand.


The one advantage of Thailand over the UK is that it's easy to go & get a vaccine privately. Being still in my 50s, I have no plan to do so.

[Gaybutton]

The one advantage of Thailand over the UK is that it's easy to go & get a vaccine privately.

Other than telling us Covid is back, I have seen nothing in the media saying anything about vaccines. I receive regular messages from Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. So far nothing is said about vaccines or even anything about taking precautions.

If it seriously escalates, I have a feeling first it will be the face masks again, followed by social distancing regulations, and maybe mass vaccinations again. I hope we don't end up seeing travel restrictions, restaurant and venue closings, or anything as dramatic as the first time. But around here, most of the time it's knee-jerk reactions rather than anything substantial or effective proactively.

I wonder how Covid managed to get started again.

[Jun]

I wonder how Covid managed to get started again.

Like flu, surely it's going to be around for ever, mutating ? I think that's what the experts said.

For most people in good health and for the elderly who are up to date with vaccines, it's not going to be much different to flu either.

I have seen nothing in the media saying anything about vaccines.

When you do see something in the media, it will probably be too late, with queues around the block & vaccine shortages.

I remember getting a FREE Pfizer vaccine in Bangkok, in November 2021. There wasn't much covid in Thailand at the time and virtually no queue. I was delighted, as I left the UK about a week before my age group became eligible for a booster.

A couple of months later, there was a surge in covid cases and people were struggling to get vaccines. One young Lao friend paid about 2000 baht for one.

I suppose the old saying "fix the roof when the sun is shining" doesn't work in Thailand. It would be too hot for a start.

[Undaunted]

The one advantage of Thailand over the UK is that it's easy to go & get a vaccine privately.

Other than telling us Covid is back, I have seen nothing in the media saying anything about vaccines. I receive regular messages from Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital. So far nothing is said about vaccines or even anything about taking precautions.

While at BPH last week to see my doctor to refill a prescription he mentioned he has seen a rise in Covid cases and said if I wanted I can get a Pfizer booster now across the hall I could,it took all but 20 minutes.

[Gaybutton]

While at BPH last week to see my doctor to refill a prescription he mentioned he has seen a rise in Covid cases and said if I wanted I can get a Pfizer booster now across the hall I could,it took all but 20 minutes.

Did they charge a fee for it? If so, how much?

[Undaunted]

2000 Baht

[Gaybutton]

2000 Baht

That's a reasonable price. I'm going to get it too. For 2000 baht I'd rather be as safe as I can rather than sorry.

[Montree]

My Thai boyfriend has Covid at the moment and is really sick. He says there is a lot in Bangkok. He was vaccinated.

Nom says he spent a night in hospital and is having injections in his "Bum bum".

[Harald]

I got Covid in Thailand in December.