Almost 90% of the coronavirus cases found in Thailand are of the Alpha coronavirus variant first found in the United Kingdom.

Studies of 4,185 cases in Thailand found that the Alpha variant had infected by far the most people, 3,703 or 88.48%, said Department of Medical Sciences director-general Supakit Sirilak.

Just 348 cases, or 8.32%, were found to be of the Delta variant first detected in India and 98 cases, or 2.34%, were types first found in China, he said.

Also, 26 cases, or 0.62%, were of the Beta variant, first found in Africa, and the rest, 10 cases or 0.24%, were of the B.1.524 variant.

Dr Supakit cited studies by Public Health England (PHE) and the World Health Organization (WHO), confirming the Alpha variant to be more contagious and more deadly compared with the original strain.

"However, vaccinations could still be effective against it," said Dr Supakit.

The Delta (Indian) variant was more contagious than Alpha, he added, but infections were less severe and vaccinations were effective in preventing it.

Meanwhile, the Beta variant spread slower but it has caused more death than the original variant, he said.