Report Thailand Sees a Surge in COVID-19 Cases: Concerns for Public Health

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is witnessing a steady rise in COVID-19 cases, with 31,688 new infections reported between May 11 and 17, marking an 11-week upward trend. Dr. Thira Woratanarat from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine disputes claims of declining cases, noting that official statistics omit many unreported cases, especially those of people who do not visit hospitals.

 

Dr. Thira highlighted potential underreporting, evidenced by discrepancies in earlier data: the initial report for the 19th week indicated near 16,000 cases with six deaths, but updated figures revealed over 30,919 cases and nine fatalities. Thus, he predicts that the reported 31,688 cases for the following week may increase significantly as data is revised.

 

Amidst this surge, Dr. Thira advises the public to take precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded environments like public transport, shopping malls, and markets. He also stresses avoiding close interactions with people showing respiratory symptoms, like coughing or sneezing.

 

As the virus continues its spread, Dr. Thira anticipates that infections will persist for a few more months before eventually declining. The community is urged to remain vigilant to curb this escalating health challenge.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-05-19

 

 

[blaze master]

8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

Amidst this surge, Dr. Thira advises the public to take precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded environments like public transport, shopping malls, and markets. He also stresses avoiding close interactions with people showing respiratory symptoms, like coughing or sneezing

 

A full lockdown of the entire country would be much better.

 

Hashtag lockdown Thailand now.

[ukrules]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

noting that official statistics omit many unreported cases, especially those of people who do not visit hospitals

 

Yeah - which is nearly everybody who gets ill.

[bkk6060]

Went to a Thai market this morning. 

Seems like many more people sneezing and coughing.  I really noticed it watching people sneezing with no protection on the foods and meats.

Lots of people sick it seems.

[dinsdale]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

official statistics omit many unreported cases, especially those of people who do not visit hospitals.

People don't go to hospital because they don't need to. Symptoms akin to the common cold don't usually necessitate going to hospital.

[dinsdale]

10 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Went to a Thai market this morning. 

Seems like many more people sneezing and coughing.  I really noticed it watching people sneezing with no protection on the foods and meats.

Lots of people sick it seems.

That time of year. I've had a few minor symptoms of what could be Covid or could be a cold. It's the way it is. Covid like the common cold is endemic and will likely stay with us for a very long time to come.

[lordgrinz]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

People don't go to hospital because they don't need to. Symptoms akin to the common cold don't usually necessitate going to hospital.

 

Been hit twice since COVID has been out, it is nothing like a cold! I am also still sick since last Tuesday, and dealing with lack of taste and smell right now, well accept the taste of pure sickness in my mouth, same as last time. I would rather have a cold or Flu over being infected with this nasty Chinese bioweapon any day!

[dinsdale]

6 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Been hit twice since COVID has been out, it is nothing like a cold! I am also still sick since last Tuesday, and dealing with lack of taste and smell right now, well accept the taste of pure sickness in my mouth, same as last time. I would rather have a cold or Flu over being infected with this nasty Chinese bioweapon any day!

I've had heavy colds that last weeks. Aches and pains, taste affected, blocked nose, runny nose, coughs, chest infection, sore throat, headache etc ... you know symptoms associated with the common cold. The "nasty Chinese bioweapon" has evolved in ways I'm sure the Chinese didn't plan. It's got way, way less severe.

[newbee2022]

13 hours ago, dinsdale said:

People don't go to hospital because they don't need to. Symptoms akin to the common cold don't usually necessitate going to hospital.

Only those with a lack of knowledge -or no knowledge - would agree with you.

[Zakhar]

As of March 10, 2023, approximately 82.8% of the Thai population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while about 45 million people, or roughly 64% of the population, had completed a two-dose vaccination protocol.  I bet most of the new cases are from the vaccinated folks.    I am surprised that the ineffective  Faucci mask is back. Pandemic Treaty is being signed and prepare for new vaccines.  Pharma needs money

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Dr. Thira Woratanarat from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Medicine disputes claims of declining cases, noting that official statistics omit many unreported cases, especially those of people who do not visit hospitals

Official statistics fudging the numbers again

[Johno57]

11 hours ago, dinsdale said:

I've had heavy colds that last weeks. Aches and pains, taste affected, blocked nose, runny nose, coughs, chest infection, sore throat, headache etc ... you know symptoms associated with the common cold. The "nasty Chinese bioweapon" has evolved in ways I'm sure the Chinese didn't plan. It's got way, way less severe.

If you have had covid to any degree you know the difference between it and a common flu as it affects people to varying degrees ...anything else is just speculation & false news..

[FlorC]

What is missing in this article as well as that other from a week ago , is WHERE are the new covid cases ?

Is it in Bangkok , or the tourist hot spots or in Nakhon Nowhere ?

[malibukid]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Well I must say on behalf of the entire forum, we're all thrilled you don't live here anymore, thank you so much for leaving. 

i am in the California  now, just cars and shopping malls, although the beach is nice, but cold water.  can't wait to return

[Tarteso]

OP says nothing about the places of infections. 👎

[NICKMONDO1]

I really wish they would just shut up talking about this ridiculous subject.

just forget it and get on with life for goodness sake.

dont they think we have suffered enough from all this ridiculous bs?

[dallen52]

It never went away. 

Records on reported cases stopped over a year ago. 

So could have been unreported a long time. 

 

I know in Issan that many people especially elderly would not have Moderna vaccine. 

Or come to think of it, any vaccine at all.

 

Very low rates of actual vaccination. 

 

Maybe time to introduce a reactivation of vaccination. 

[NICKMONDO1]

21 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Well I must say on behalf of the entire forum, we're all thrilled you don't live here anymore, thank you so much for leaving. 

you do not speak for me

[jesimps]

11 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

Been hit twice since COVID has been out, it is nothing like a cold! I am also still sick since last Tuesday, and dealing with lack of taste and smell right now, well accept the taste of pure sickness in my mouth, same as last time. I would rather have a cold or Flu over being infected with this nasty Chinese bioweapon any day!

Picked up my first bout of Covid over a week ago and it has laid me low. I'm at the rasping cough coupled with nausea stage now and am unable to do much except sit around feeling sorry for myself. This is not a disease you can ignore like a common cold, it's actually serious. My infection is easily on a par with my worst ever dose of flu which I had about thirty years ago and remember well. At 80 yoa, I'm quite concerned about the cough which shakes me to my foundations and goes on for quite a while. I'm normally a very fit guy.

I too used to mock people for making a big thing about Covid, I certainly won't do so again.

[zyphodb]

2 minutes ago, dallen52 said:

It never went away. 

Records on reported cases stopped over a year ago. 

So could have been unreported a long time. 

 

I know in Issan that many people especially elderly would not have Moderna vaccine. 

Or come to think of it, any vaccine at all.

 

Very low rates of actual vaccination. 

 

Maybe time to introduce a reactivation of vaccination. 

 

Very low rates of COVID too, funny that...

[Sorted2024]

[dinsdale]

6 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Only those with a lack of knowledge -or no knowledge - would agree with you.

Those with knowledge would include doctors I would think.

From the previous article on this subject:

"Dr Yong Poovorawan, a virology expert from Chulalongkorn University, echoed concerns about the rapid spread of the new Covid-19 subvariants. Despite their increased transmissibility, these strains seemingly cause mild symptoms and are treatable like other respiratory illnesses."

You must disagree with this assessment as it reflects the basis of my above comment. You have said that I and all that agree with me, that hospitalisation for most is not necessary, are idiots and this would include the quoted doctor. Personally I think the shoe might very well be on the other foot when it comes to "a lack of knowledge -or no knowledge ....".

[impulse]

9 deaths out of over 60 million population.

 

Still liking those odds.
 

 

[dinsdale]

16 minutes ago, Johno57 said:

If you have had covid to any degree you know the difference between it and a common flu as it affects people to varying degrees ...anything else is just speculation & false news..

I've had Covid-19 at least twice, once Delta (that wasn't so good) and at least once Omicron. Obviously I like probably everyone else has had bad heavy colds that hang around and I've also had the flu. The Omicron viral infection was by far the mildest.

[newbee2022]

5 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Those with knowledge would include doctors I would think.

From the previous article on this subject:

"Dr Yong Poovorawan, a virology expert from Chulalongkorn University, echoed concerns about the rapid spread of the new Covid-19 subvariants. Despite their increased transmissibility, these strains seemingly cause mild symptoms and are treatable like other respiratory illnesses."

You must disagree with this assessment as it reflects the basis of my above comment. You have said that I and all that agree with me, that hospitalisation for most is not necessary, are idiots and this would include the quoted doctor. Personally I think the shoe might very well be on the other foot when it comes to "a lack of knowledge -or no knowledge ....".

You tried to contribute something? In vain 

[ignis]

Some of my friends [mostly Thai] have Covid  NON of them have visited a Hospital just used a home tester + all have been vaccinated and boosters  ... does not appear the vaccine work as some have had Covid 2 or 3 times before + after the Vaccine

 

As for Masks I always put on then going out, never stopped wearing just automatic after so many years..  I cannot have Vaccines, so try to protect myself  best I can.

 

Last visit to Makro appeared all the Staff + me had masks,  last night visited Makro again there were a good many shoppers with masks on.

 

 

[thesetat]

24 minutes ago, FlorC said:

What is missing in this article as well as that other from a week ago , is WHERE are the new covid cases ?

Is it in Bangkok , or the tourist hot spots or in Nakhon Nowhere ?

As i understand it, it is spreading everywhere. Started heavily in Bkk. spreading out now. School in Prachuap has closed some classes because Covid was found in some students. I expect it to get worse. This began in China again and spread here. When will China start testing their travellers or when will Thailand begin demanding travellers to test before entering the country. This would not be a problem in Thailand if only Thailand worried more about its people than tourists entering. 

[newbee2022]

32 minutes ago, Zakhar said:

As of March 10, 2023, approximately 82.8% of the Thai population had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while about 45 million people, or roughly 64% of the population, had completed a two-dose vaccination protocol.  I bet most of the new cases are from the vaccinated folks.    I am surprised that the ineffective  Faucci mask is back. Pandemic Treaty is being signed and prepare for new vaccines.  Pharma needs money

You're the laughing stock of at least today 😂😂😂

[dinsdale]

14 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

You tried to contribute something? In vain 

This reply simply demonstrates that you know you are wrong and that indeed for the most part hospitalisation for Covid infections is not necessary. You basically said that anyone who thinks this way is an idiot which must include the above quoted doctor. Again I pose the question. Who is the idiot?

[newbee2022]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

Who is the idiot

Not me. Who's left? 😂