Thailand hits vaccine accelerator as virus launches second surge

13 Sept 11:59 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand is accelerating its free nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program in response to a fresh outbreak, with the first batch of Sinovac Biotech vaccines expected next month.
The procurement of 2 million Sinovac doses is contingent on rigorous Thai quality and safety checks, alongside a review of WHO inspection results, before distribution.
The government plans to secure an additional 63 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and prioritize medical workers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses for inoculation.
Parallel efforts include over 10 local vaccine prototypes in development by Thai researchers, with three frontrunners advancing to human trials.

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.