The government has mismanaged the Covid-19 pandemic and supply of vaccines, which has plunged the country into a crisis, according to new research.

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has also called for the setting up of an independent committee to study the mishandling of the pandemic to prevent similar mistakes in the future.

The government will hold a press conference to respond to TDRI's report on Tuesday.

According to the report, Thailand succeeded in containing the first wave of the pandemic thanks to hard work from the medical and public health community and public cooperation, albeit at the expense of the economy.

However, although that initial success gave the government a chance to prepare for a second wave and start reopening the country, flawed policy wasted the early boost and also played a part in triggering the second wave, it added.

That second wave began in December last year at a shrimp market in Samut Sakhon, which showed lax border controls for migrant labour.

The third wave, which started in late March was linked to entertainment venues in Bangkok's Thong Lor-Ekkamai area, and a clear sign of the government's poor preparations, the report concluded.

According to the TDRI, the public health system is now under considerable strain and many hospitals have had to ask the public to donate essential medical equipment.

"People must be held responsible," said the report.