Thai PM insists COVID-19 vaccines must be proven safe before inoculation starts

14 Sept 16:41 Key points summarised by AI

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared Thailand will not commence COVID-19 vaccinations until their safety is unequivocally proven, citing global reports of serious negative side effects.
The PM emphasized a cautious approach, stating Thai citizens will not be 'guinea pigs' and will not be inoculated with unverified vaccines, awaiting expert analysis on reported complications.
Thailand's National Vaccine Committee will closely supervise vaccine use, while the government has secured 60 million doses from various sources, with initial Sinovac shipments expected from February.
Until safe vaccines are available, the Prime Minister urged strict adherence to preventive measures, including consistent mask-wearing, social distancing, and the use of contact tracing applications.

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.