COVID-19: Thailand faces risks of overburdened medical system
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on June 24 affirmed that the country's public health system will not collapse despite the number of hospital beds and health personnel being at critically low levels amid soaring number of new COVID-19 cases
People wait for getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots in Narathiwat, Thailand (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Deputy Prime Minister andPublic Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on June 24 affirmed that thecountry's public health system will not collapse despite the number of hospitalbeds and health personnel being at critically low levels amid soaring number ofnew COVID-19 cases.
His assurance came after several senior doctors said the COVID-19outbreak situation was critical, with some suggesting the government shouldimpose a lockdown in Bangkok for seven days. Anutin said the proposal was worthlistening to, but it must be weighed up carefully.
According to Somsak Akksilp, director-general of theDepartment of Medical Services, there are only 23 beds at state hospitals leftfor COVID-19 patients suffering severe symptoms.
The situation is expected to worsen if the number of newcases continues to soar at the current rate, the official said.
He said the Public Health Ministry is trying to increase thenumber of beds for patients with less severe symptoms and the 14-day treatmentperiod at hospitals may be changed to 10 days, after which they wouldself-isolate at home. The change means the number of beds will increase by 40 percent.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the director of the Centrefor COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), had instructed all agenciesinvolved to help Bangkok and the surrounding provinces to increase the numberof beds, particularly for groups of patients with more severe symptoms.
On June 25, Thailand posted 3,644 new COVID-19 infectionsand 44 deaths, raising the national count and death toll to 236,291 and 1,819,respectively./.
Thailand saw a record 51 COVID-19 fatalities over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 1,774, the country’s Ministry of Public Health announced on June 23.
Thailand’s central bank on June 23 decided to keep key rate unchanged at record low 0.5 percent and cut 2021 economic growth forecast following the complicated development of COVID-19 in the country.
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) sees access to credit for businesses as a more pressing issue for the economy than interest-rate levels, and will stay focused on domestic concerns amid possible normalisation by other central banks.
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Indonesia ranks as the world's sixth-largest gold reserve holder, producing an estimated 160 to 200 tonnes annually, mainly through major state-owned enterprises. Despite this, much of the mined gold is held or traded abroad. In 2024 alone, Indonesia exported gold worth 5.4 billion USD while reimporting 2.6 billion USD worth of the metal.
Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
People wait for getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots in Narathiwat, Thailand (Photo: VNA) 
