Thailand week in review: All bus services closed, Bangkok orders more business closures, First mRNA purchase agreement signed, and more

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, July 19th to the 25th, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

PHOTO: Covid-19 Center

1. Private and public bus services in Thailand cancels all travel routes nationwide starting today, following the government’s request

It can be said now that most of the traveling routes, both by land and by air, in Thailand are limited due to the government’s request to refrain from unnecessary interprovincial traveling in/out of the dark-red/maximum control zone provinces. Similar to the CAAT’s ban on domestic flights, the cancellation announcement of public and private bus services will be implemented until at least the beginning of August.

Private and public bus services in Thailand cancels all travel routes nationwide starting today, following government’s request

2. Bangkok temporarily closes 10 additional businesses to curb with Covid-19 spread, effective this Friday

Following the CCSA’s consideration to try and curb the Covid-19 spread, the BMA then ordered more business closures last week until August 2nd or until further notice. The businesses include indoor and outdoor stadiums, swimming pools, sports fields, exhibition centers, public libraries, museums, child care centers and nurseries, barbershops, beauty salons, and public parks. Chonburi, which is also categorized in the dark-red zone provinces, also released similar ordered afterward.

Bangkok temporarily closes 10 additional businesses to curb with Covid-19 spread, effective this Friday

3. National Vaccine Institute apologizes for procuring insufficient Covid-19 vaccines during worsening outbreak, looking to join COVAX

Despite its best effort, National Vaccine Institute publicly apologized for its insufficient vaccine procurement in Thailand, reasoning that the dealing took many departments and legal authorities which require a lot of time before making a decision and signing an agreement with vaccine distributors, making it impossible to keep up with the high demand during the third outbreak. On the bright side, the National Vaccine Institute director stated that Thailand is in the process of joining the COVAX Project which will allow Thailand to have easier and faster access to vaccines.

National Vaccine Institute apologizes for procuring insufficient Covid-19 vaccines during worsening outbreak, looking to join COVAX

4. 18-year-old Thai rapper fined 2,000 baht at Bangkok police station for allegedly publicly insulting Thai Prime Minister online

Amidst the Thai celebrities’ “calling out” to demand the better government’s management of the vaccine procurement and the Covid-19 situation, the lawyer of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha had filed complaints against young rapper ‘Milli’ for public insults after she was allegedly politically and publicly criticizing the Prime Minister and the government’s management relating to the Covid-19 situation on her Twitter posts, according to his statement. Milli reportedly confessed to her actions and was fined 2,000 baht. She becomes the first celebrity in Thailand who was charged with criticizing the government recently.

18-year-old Thai rapper fined 2,000 baht at Bangkok police station for allegedly publicly insulting Thai Prime Minister online

5. Thai Government Pharmaceutical Organization officially signs purchase agreement for 5 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for domestic distribution

Thailand’s first alternative mRNA vaccine contract has been officially signed by the Thai GPO. Under the agreement with Zuellig Pharma’s division, ZP Therapeutics, the amount of 5 million doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccines will gradually arrive in the country from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2022. According to the GPO director, private hospitals and the Thai Red Cross Society have proceeded with complete payment for their vaccine purchases to the department. A certain amount of vaccines will be distributed to them, based on the booking records being reported to the GPO.

Thai Government Pharmaceutical Organization officially signs purchase agreement for 5 million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for domestic distribution

And, that is all for this week. Thank you as always for reading the Pattaya News/TPN News!

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Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October, 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.