As the situation worsens, Thailand faces its most severe outbreak, with record new cases and deaths.
In response to Thailand’s rapidly worsening Covid-19 crisis, a cargo warehouse at Don Muang Airport in Bangkok has been converted into a field hospital, equipped with 1,800 beds. This move comes as hospitals in the capital are overwhelmed by the rising number of patients, forcing medical facilities to turn people away.
On Thursday, the country reported a record-breaking 17,669 new Covid cases and 165 deaths, reflecting the scale of the outbreak. The newly established hospital will primarily care for patients exhibiting moderate symptoms, with those in more critical condition being transferred to other facilities, including the Pitak Rachan Field Hospital.
Thailand’s Covid-19 cases have surged from less than 30,000 at the start of April to over 540,000, with health experts noting that limited testing suggests the actual number may be even higher. As the outbreak intensifies, public frustration has grown, particularly over the slow pace of the national vaccination campaign. Just 5% of Thailand’s population is fully vaccinated, sparking criticism of the government’s reliance on domestically produced AstraZeneca vaccines, which have faced delays.
The government’s handling of the crisis has led to accusations of censorship, including the prosecution of individuals and media outlets that spread what the authorities consider misleading information. This includes the recent charge against rapper Milli for criticizing the government’s pandemic response on social media.
