Thailand has three runners in global race for COVID-19 vaccine

21 Sept 07:14 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to secure COVID-19 vaccines, including pre-ordering 26 million doses from AstraZeneca, joining the WHO's COVAX project, and developing its own vaccine prototypes.
Due to limited initial supply, the government plans to prioritize high-risk groups, individuals with high transmission potential, and healthcare workers for vaccination.
Three Thai-developed vaccine prototypes from Chulalongkorn University and Bionet Asia have shown promising results in animal trials and are preparing for human trials, with some expected to begin in early to mid-2021.
Health activists are advocating for a comprehensive, long-term vaccine procurement and distribution plan, emphasizing fair access and consistent funding for local development efforts.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.