File photo for reference only

 

Thailand is grappling with a growing Covid-19 crisis as a staggering 67,484 new cases were reported within just a week, alongside eight tragic fatalities.

 

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) urgently highlights the dominant presence of the Omicron variant, specifically JN.1, driving the pandemic wave. With this recent surge, the cumulative number of cases this year skyrockets to 211,717, accompanied by 51 deaths, marking a significant rise from the previous year.

 

Dr Jurai Wongsawat, a spokesperson for the DDC, points out the low mortality rate of 0.02% post-Songkran amid rising cases, owing to mostly mild symptoms. However, infection numbers have now breached the five-year median, notably surpassing those recorded in the same weeks in 2024.

 

Despite the low severity of the virus, Dr Jurai advises continued vigilance as infection rates tend to increase with the impending rainy and winter seasons.

 

The top provinces hit hard include Rayong with 1,073 cases, Bangkok at 976, and Chonburi with 914 cases, among others. Covid-19 clusters remain concerning, with six prisons reporting 198 cases, five educational institutions witnessing 258 cases, two military camps seeing 178 cases, and a hospital reporting 35 cases, as revealed by the DDC.

 

In terms of variant breakdown, data from the Department of Medical Sciences from January 2024 to May 6, 2025, indicate the overwhelming prevalence of the Omicron JN.1 variant, which constitutes 63.92% of cases.

 

By comparison, the previously concerning XEC variant has dwindled to a mere 3.07%. Other existing variants remain under observation as they maintain their presence but without causing more severe symptoms.

 

While the virus remains in its less severe forms, the rapid spread still poses health risks. The public is encouraged to remain informed and cautious, maintaining health protocols, especially as new variants emerge. Immunisation and precautionary measures continue to be the frontline defences against potential surges.

 

With Thailand navigating this challenging phase, experts stress the importance of robust healthcare measures and community awareness to manage and curtail further spread.

 

As the country mobilises efforts to combat the outbreak, the focus lies on mitigating transmission while safeguarding the population, particularly as traditional easing periods approach. The implications of this latest wave underscore the vital need for sustained, coordinated public health responses.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-05-29

 

 

This is what happens when a new sub-variant comes along i.e. rapid spread to attain dominance but the big take away from this article is not "doom and gloom" as the headline would suggest but "the virus remains in its less severe forms …." which is what it's been now for several years for the vast majority of people.

Off topic post and replies removed. This is the Thai News section and not relevant to Trump.

got moderna booster shot last week... coming to thailand end of june. Hope i dont get it cos with my health it could easily kill me. Just starting to get better after this winter's double pneumonia and bronchitis... sucks to be sick

12 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

got moderna booster shot last week... coming to thailand end of june. Hope i dont get it cos with my health it could easily kill me. Just starting to get better after this winter's double pneumonia and bronchitis... sucks to be sick

If you're vaxxed you should be fine and even if you get it, it will be mild.

I notice the report does not mention vaccines. Does this mean the Government is no longer recommending them? If so, good on them!

I understand Bangkok and Chonburi but RAYONG confuses me are there that many people there?  Why is it higher.

15 minutes ago, OldPedro said:

I notice the report does not mention vaccines. Does this mean the Government is no longer recommending them? If so, good on them!

No it just means they haven't reached the don't panic stage yet...

We have to have the "it's under control" message from them first

Where are my Alu-hats?

Telling COVID is a hoax, just a fabricated story by Big Pharma?

Come on.

Don't hide😂

Big Pharma aren't the ones fabricating the story, newb, they are the manufacturing arm (no pun intended), they supply the gunk that goes in your arm.  Good luck with it all, our thoughts are with you 🙏

Another stumbling forward of this inept government. I have 2 step kids in high school in BKK. The school requires the parents administer COVID-19 tests prior to the kids leaving for school. Everywhere we look tests are sold out. None to be found. Parents must be sending the kids without testing as the students are falling victim at an alarming rate. No air purifiers. Deer in lights when Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are mentioned. Pathetic suffering due to lax to zero leadership. Corrupt regimes always cause the everyday people to suffer. I would be disappointed if this wasn't the norm and I wasn't a Farang.

2 hours ago, OldPedro said:

I notice the report does not mention vaccines. Does this mean the Government is no longer recommending them? If so, good on them!

 

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Immunisation and precautionary measures continue to be the frontline defences against potential surges.

Of course getting the jab won't stop the virus spreading neither will wearing crappy disposable masks.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

 

Of course getting the jab won't stop the virus spreading neither will wearing crappy disposable masks.

What is needed is social distancing,the new normal lockdowns and mandated multi jabbing...

oh hold they tried that too.. didn't work..... 

nevermind you granny killer lets  try again in case it was an anomaly

The soyence.

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

 

Of course getting the jab won't stop the virus spreading neither will wearing crappy disposable masks.

Says the bloke whose had Covid, was it eight times, because everything is crappy as a defence .......🤣

6 minutes ago, transam said:

Says the bloke whose had Covid, was it eight times, because everything is crappy as a defence .......🤣

Damn, I thought you had moved on. 

0.0964% of the population on their Covid death-beds due to killer virus.  Get your Pfizer mRNA Covid shots as soon as possible.  Safe And Effective.

I wonder of Covid has again cured the flu.  I bet flu has almost disappeared!.

18 minutes ago, transam said:

Says the bloke whose had Covid, was it eight times, because everything is crappy as a defence .......🤣

Had Covid before being jabbed and after being jabbed.

51 deaths by Covid this year.  Shut the airports, mandatory masking, everyone!!! 2 meters apart!  Get the daily Covid Scoreboards working again on the media.  Shut all non-essential businesses.  Hide under the bed.  Killer Covid is on a rampage again.  Line up for your vaccinations.....oh, never mind - that was done last month by most Thai village hospitals.  Well - go ask for another shot!!!

51 Covid deaths this year.  About what Thailand kill off in one  week on their roads, 'eh? 

9 hours ago, dinsdale said:

This is what happens when a new sub-variant comes along i.e. rapid spread to attain dominance but the big take away from this article is not "doom and gloom" as the headline would suggest but "the virus remains in its less severe forms …." which is what it's been now for several years for the vast majority of people.

Spreading fear is part and parcel of what the media does.  It sells copy.  Fear of Covid still sells like hotcakes. 

15 minutes ago, madone said:

Damn, I thought you had moved on. 

Never left, ol' chap, anything on topic from you......?  🤭

7 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Had Covid before being jabbed and after being jabbed.

....and what should that tell us?

8 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

If you're vaxxed you should be fine and even if you get it, it will be mild.

And if you're not vaxxed you should be fine and even if you get it, it will be mild. 

1 minute ago, connda said:

Spreading fear is part and parcel of what the media does.  It sells copy.  Fear of Covid still sells like hotcakes. 

Thankfully, because I never caught Covid, isn't that a plus for this ol' fella.........

10 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Had Covid before being jabbed and after being jabbed.

Aaaah, never mind eh, try taking in all the advice in future (crappy masks, indeed)  ...............😂

2 hours ago, RayOday said:

The school requires the parents administer COVID-19 tests prior to the kids leaving for school.

Why not Flu tests, Cold tests, RSV tests, pneumonia tests, herpes tests, Dengue tests, Hep A, B, C tests, HIV tests - why just Covid tests?  Asking for an inquisitive friend. 

Never mind.  My friend figured it out.  After 5 years of this insanity, the Thai school officials still have an irrational fear of Covid, in other words, the pandemic hyperbole psychologically damaged generations of Thai citizens who will be spitting on test strips the rest of their live in mortal fear of a Sars-flu.  Amazing!  

20 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

....and what should that tell us?

You tell us “Dr jabber“.

Just now, johng said:

You tell us “Dr jabber“.

This fellow is unknown to me.

40 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

....and what should that tell us?

That you can get Covid and spread it vaxxed or not.

49 minutes ago, transam said:

Aaaah, never mind eh, try taking in all the advice in future (crappy masks, indeed)  ...............😂

I wore a mask, got jabbed, cleaned my hands etc. I was conned. I bought the narrative. I now know different. Unfortunately there still those who accepted the narrative and believed MSM 100% and still do. 

3 hours ago, RayOday said:

students are falling victim at an alarming rate.

Yep and their immunity gets boosted. It's just a typical surge with a new sub-variant. Natural immunity grows and the surge subsides.