Thailand week in review: School semester postponed, thousands of Covid-19 infected inmates reported nationwide, Japan bans Thailand from entry, and more

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, May 17th to the 23rd, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

PHOTO: Prachachat

1. Education Ministry proposes another school opening postponement for safety reasons during the Covid-19 pandemic

A postponement was announced again last week from June 1st to June 14th, with the reasoning to extend the vaccination period of teachers and education personnel prior to the school’s first-semester opening. Apart from the delay, the Education Minister also urged the CCSA to accelerate the vaccination registration for teachers and education personnel as the first priority.

Education Ministry proposes another school opening postponement for safety reasons during Covid-19 pandemic

2. Thailand Department of Corrections reports 1,408 new inmate infections in 13 major prisons nationwide, reaching over ten thousand prison-related Covid-19 cases

A constant report of Covid-19 infections in Thai prisons was announced following the online statement of pro-democracy activist, Rung Panusaya, who was proven positive for the virus shortly after being released from the Central Women’s Correctional Institution. The number was significantly increasing daily last week, particularly in major prisons in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Thonburi. The department also stated that they are conducting complete swab tests against prison staff and inmates at all prisons nationwide, staging field hospitals, and considering a proposal to help lessen crowdings at prisons.

Thailand Department of Corrections reports 1,408 new inmate infections in 13 major prisons nationwide, reaching over ten thousand prison-related Covid-19 cases

3. Japan bans all foreigners from Thailand and another six countries over the current Covid-19 outbreak, effective last Friday

Visitors from Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, East Timor, and Mongolia are now banned to enter Japan since last Friday. The statement has been made after Thailand is facing a serious outbreak of the Coronavirus and the rapidly increasing accumulative number of infections daily. All of the seven countries have now joined 152 countries and regions in the entry bans. The prohibition is implemented without further notice.

Japan bans all foreigners from Thailand and another six countries over current Covid-19 outbreak, effective this Friday

4. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control confirms discovery of B.1.617.2 Covid-19 variant in construction workers in Bangkok

The new so-called Indian variant, aka B.1.617.2 variant, was discovered for the first time in Thailand last Friday among a group of 15 construction workers and their family members living in the Lak Si district of Bangkok. The department has been undertaking a disease investigation and conducting a proactive approach among all workers. Additionally, the Director-General also asked the public to remain calm and reaffirmed that the variant does not have vaccine resistance, especially against AstraZeneca that is planned to be distributed in the country next month.

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control confirms discovery of B.1.617.2 Covid-19 variant in construction workers in Bangkok

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.