FILE PHOTO: A health worker prepares a dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Central Vaccination Center, inside the Bang Sue Grand Station, Thailand, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand, a regional manufacturer of AstraZeneca's coronavirus shots, is seeking to borrow 150,000 doses of the same vaccine from the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, an official said on Monday, amid a Thai supply shortage.

 

Thailand has been racing to boost its stocks after being hit by its worst wave of coronavirus infections, just two months before it started its mass immunisation drive in June.

 

The request to tap vaccines from Bhutan, a country of less than 1 million people, reflects efforts to plug gaps in Thailand's chaotic vaccine rollout, after AstraZeneca said it could supply the country with about five to six million monthly doses, about half of what the government had targeted.

 

Thailand produces AstraZeneca's vaccine for regional distribution but has managed to fully inoculate just 7.1% of its population so far, with new daily infections projected to double next month.

 

By contrast, Bhutan started its vaccinations in March and has administered over 1 million doses, a number sufficient to have immunised about two-thirds of its population. It has recorded less than 3,000 cases and just three deaths.

 

"The vaccine swap arrangement between Bhutan and Thailand ... is on basis that Thailand will send back vaccines to Bhutan later on," said Natapanu Nopakun, a foreign ministry spokesperson.

 

"At the moment, the agreement is being reviewed and considered by the government."

 

Bhutan's embassy in Bangkok did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

 

Thailand reported 21,157 new infections on Monday bringing the total to 928,314. There were 182 new deaths, among 7,734 fatalities overall.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

 

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borrowing something from one of the poorest countries in the world?

well done mr prayuth. Man of honour

Now that's a loss of face!

If a bar girl asked for a loan, chances are much better she would repay it than these lying fools.

Won't that leave Bhutan short?

Gosh Golly Gee,

 

Maybe it has to do with allowing people into the country who knew how to set things up and vaccinate 90% of the population in a week:

 

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/07/28/asia/bhutan-covid-vaccine-rollout-intl-hnk/index.html

Bhutan population  754,000

 

How embarrassing is that

 

reminds me of the beggars doing the bar rounds in pattaya, the the police arrest them now and again 

 

Shameful 

Let me get this straight...Thailand, second largest economy in SEA, proud country, never conquered by dirty farangs, local manufacturer of AZ, begs one of the poorest country in the world for some AZ vaccines....

 

Not even BoJo begging Ursula to get him back in the EU is more shameful...

After all that talk about reneging on their contractual obligations regarding AZ exports they are trying to borrow something?

Cap in hand to one of the poorest Countries in the World,, you couldn't make his up, 

Mr PM you should be ashamed of yourself, and you are a disgrace to Thailand,, do the right thing and resign... 

5 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

after AstraZeneca said it could supply the country with about five to six million monthly doses, about half of what the government had targeted

Pity they only ordered 3 million a month when the target was 6 million according to recent articles.

 

In life there are consequences for failure - this is one of them so suck it up.

 

 

Better get those immunity clauses through quickly.

Shame shame shame.

The cause of this mess is not vaccine shortage, that's a symptom. 

The cause of this mess is the people in charge.

Even if they had enough vaccine to jab the whole of Thailand 10 times over, I wouldn't trust these people to be able to coordinate anything effectively.

 I hope they have the second vaccine shot for me on the 27th of this month TiT

3 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

The cause of this mess is not vaccine shortage, that's a symptom. 

The cause of this mess is the people in charge.

Even if they had enough vaccine to jab the whole of Thailand 10 times over, I wouldn't trust these people to be able to coordinate anything effectively.

The govt's complete failure here makes a mockery of the background of all of them, senior military men.

Logistics should be second nature, can you imagine how they would fare in a real war (not against their own people as like Myanmar they have the guns)!

Laos could probably overcome them in a couple of days.

 

9 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"The vaccine swap arrangement between Bhutan and Thailand ... is on basis that Thailand will send back vaccines to Bhutan later on,"

     good luck with that one ......      ' cheques in the mail '  

Classic! Typically "Amazing" Thailand! ????

This government's incompetence continues day, after day, after day.  They are grasping at straws and seem to have no plan or program.  They are like a fart in a windstorm and just go whichever way the wind is blowing.  No plans, no program, no leadership - Prayuth and Anutin are more like the Marx Brothers - a comedy act by any other name!

What the <deleted> does borrow mean in this context? 

 

Must be so embarrassing. 

10 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand produces AstraZeneca's vaccine for regional distribution but has managed to fully inoculate just 7.1% of its population so far, with new daily infections projected to double next month.

Prayut and Anutin must step down as failed ministers, any other person performing their duties in this manner would have been sacked for gross misconduct.

19 minutes ago, worldview said:

This government's incompetence continues day, after day, after day.  They are grasping at straws and seem to have no plan or program.  They are like a fart in a windstorm and just go whichever way the wind is blowing.  No plans, no program, no leadership - Prayuth and Anutin are more like the Marx Brothers - a comedy act by any other name!

I would pay to sit and laugh with the Marx Brothers. I would pay, to sit and watch Prayut and Anutin being hung from the nearest lamp post.

2 minutes ago, DaveSamutP said:

What the <deleted> does borrow mean in this context? 

 

Must be so embarrassing. 

Cap-in-hand, please may we borrow.... how many times have I heard that in Thailand, usually when someones stuffed right up and in trouble.

And now it goes right to the very top.

5 hours ago, ukrules said:

In life there are consequences for failure - this is one of them so suck it up.

The other is to do the walk of shame.... if he feels any that is.

... And the rest of civilized countries looking for the third dose, while these useless ones are unable to even manage the control of the first dose with 7% of the population vaccinated.  Incapable of handling international relations with that arrogance and airs of superiority that define them ... These puppets must be very desperate. ; What a shame of men!!

 

 As someone wrote above; without Plan, Programs and No leaderships.

 

While this old dirty falang who is writing this words, has not received vaccination yet.

10 hours ago, choff56 said:

Now that's a loss of face!

Lets not borrow the vaccines from Germany as there might be a big surprise?

 

https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/567358-german-nurse-accused-of-switching-vaccines-with-saline-thousand

Yeah, it looks bad. Other than the Sinovac delivery yesterday of 3 mm doses it seems like the well has run dry, again.

 

Down to 162,511 doses administered in the most recent reporting period.

 

And the 1 mm additional Pfizer donation from the U.S. is hopefully on the way soon.

 

But help yourself to some Fah Talai Jone tablets. Yummy.

 

Just when you think the regime can't do any worse, they go and exceed our expectations.

Ahh the true state of Thailands vaccine purchases. It makes a mockery of 1 000 000 vaccine doses a day or even 10 000 000 a month that Anutin was babbling about. 

 

 

So the countless times they said they purchased more vaccines were just big porkies?  What a surprise. 

It's like "Can you lend me a cup of sugar, will return it next week ",

with a population of 700,000 + , wanting to take 150,000 does from

them is beyond the pale....

regards worgeordie