Fifty-one requests have been filed with the Commerce Ministry seeking to patent medical innovations created as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the ministry.
Private individuals and organisations in Thailand have lodged the requests in four categories of creations, said Deputy Commerce Minister Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol.
They are 26 requests for equipment to stop transmission of the virus, such as face masks and face shields, 18 requests for disinfectant machines or apparatus including sterilisers and walk-in disinfectant chambers; four requests for sanitiser substances; and three for service robots which help minimise human-to-human contact between medical workers and patients.
Mr Weerasak said the requests are being handled by the Department of Intellectual Property which is examining them to see if they can be accepted for registration.
The deputy minister said the ministry was standing ready to support people and organisations in coming up with new innovations.
Patent requests can be made via e-filing with the ministry for speed and convenience, he added.