Thailand week in review: Prime Minister survives no-censure debate, Thailand’s first Monkeypox case confirmed in Phuket, and more

Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, July 18th to the 24th, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.

1. Thai Prime Minister and all ten ministers under censure motions survive no-confidence vote

The result doesn’t seem very surprising to the public as the Prime Minister survived the fourth paramilitary vote. The debate, which started on Wednesday, began with an attack by the oppositional parties on Public Health Ministry’s cannabis legalization that did not provide proper measures to prevent marijuana abuse. Prime Minister Prayut was also accused of mishandling the economy during and after the Covid-19 pandemic and ignoring corruption. However, he received 256 votes of support and survived the motion.

Thai Prime Minister and all ten ministers under censure motions survive no-confidence vote

2. WHO declares monkeypox a global health emergency

The Monkeypox outbreak is now designated as a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC) in order to prompt a coordinated international response and potentially share vaccines and treatments between nations. As for Thailand, Monkeypox remains a contagious disease that requires close surveillance but the Public Health Ministry has raised its surveillance strictness which will be conducted by the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Center in response to the WHO’s declaration.

WHO declares monkeypox a global health emergency

3. Nigerian man who was Thailand’s first verified case of monkeypox was arrested in Cambodia

The first confirmed case was reported in Phuket on Friday and fled from his condominium to Phnom Penh, Cambodia after he was allowed to stay at his residence in the Kathu district while waiting for the result. He was found on the following day and is now under treatment at a Cambodia’s capital hospital. According to the Thai authorities, he was confirmed with the West Africa (A.2) monkeypox variant which had no severe symptoms and low contagion. None of his close contacts were confirmed to test positive for the virus so far.

UPDATE: Nigerian man who was Thailand’s first verified case of monkeypox arrested in Cambodia

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.