Thailand week in review: Major factory fires breaks out in Bangkok, Government to procure Pfizer vaccine, tougher Covid-19 measures implemented in dark red zone provinces, and more

PHOTO: Thansettakij

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, July 5th to the 11th, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

PHOTO: Manager Online

1. Factory fire in Samut Prakan put out after 25 hours of eruption but has a secondary eruption, another fire breaks out at Lat Krabang Industrial estate

The fire at a plastic factory near Bangkok captured the world’s attention on Tuesday as it took more than a day to extinguish before starting to erupt again on the following day. A group of firefighters, volunteers, and government officials were deployed with extinguishing devices and vehicles and tirelessly spent about two days controlling and watching over the site to prevent the eruption. A young male firefighter also died during the incident. On Wednesday evening, another fire at a cosmetic factory in the Lat Krabang district of Bangkok occurred at the very same time as the second eruption of the plastic factory fire. Fortunately, both fires were put out in a short time.

Factory fire in Samut Prakan put out after 25 hours of eruption, but has secondary eruption this afternoon, another fire breaks out at Lat Krabang Industrial estate

2. Thai government to procure 20 million doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for free distribution in Thailand by year’s end

The government will continue to discuss the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines from US-based Pfizer Inc. to procure a total of 20 million shots of the vaccine this year. The first lot is estimated to be delivered in Thailand by October before being allocated among local residents. It is not yet stated by Thai officials when exactly in October the vaccine would arrive nor which group of people would become the first target group to receive the mRNA vaccine.

Thai government to procure 20 million doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for free distribution in Thailand by year’s end

3. Thai government announces strict Covid-19 control measures in Dark Red Zone provinces, effective from Monday

Stricter measures to domestically curb the Covid-19 spread are now officially implemented in ten provinces of Dark Red Zone provinces from today until further notice. All of the restrictions are mainly to reduce and limit people’s traveling out of their residential areas, following the rapid increase of the number of infections in certain provinces, particularly in Bangkok, as well as the discovery of the new Delta Coronavirus variant at construction sites. A full recap of all measures can be found in the article.

Thai government announces strict Covid-19 control measures in Dark Red Zone provinces, effective from Monday

4. Thai government approves, in principle, Covid-19 “Rapid Antigen Test” public purchase in Bangkok

The Covid-19 rapid test is already applied in some medical facilities in Bangkok today, following Saturday’s announcement by Public Health Minister. The test would help reduce hospitals’ burden to only conduct RT-PCR tests against visitors, which are taking a long time to diagnose. Hopefully soon, the test kits will be available for the public to purchase at drug stores and conduct the test conveniently at home.

Thai government approves, in principle, Covid-19 “Rapid Antigen Test” public purchase 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.