Thailand’s health minister assures vaccine procurement is not delayed

13 Sept 12:14 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's mass vaccination program is set to begin in June, aiming to administer five million AstraZeneca doses monthly until the end of the year.
Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul assured the public that 50 million Thais would be vaccinated, confirming that vaccine procurement is not delayed despite an initial hold-up for 50,000 doses from Italy due to EU export restrictions.
The government has secured 61 million additional AstraZeneca doses beyond the 200 million to be produced by Thailand-based Siam Bioscience, along with supplies from other sources, ensuring sufficient vaccines for 50 million free inoculations.
Anutin emphasized that vaccine efficacy and safety are prioritized, clarifying that vaccines reduce disease severity rather than prevent infection, and urged continued adherence to 'new normal' practices like mask-wearing and social distancing even after vaccination.

Six injured after car smashes into On Nut shopping mall

Yesterday 22:44 Key points summarised by AI

A 67-year-old woman drove her car through the glass frontage of a Bangkok shopping mall, injuring six people, including a six-year-old girl.
The driver claimed she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake after being startled, causing the vehicle to surge forward.
She apologized to the victims, promising insurance coverage and additional financial aid, while police continue to gather statements before filing charges.