The government is considering setting up field hospitals in Bangkok to brace for a new wave of Covid-19 infections stemming from pubs and bars.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he had ordered the Interior Ministry and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to prepare for the setting-up of field hospitals in the capital to deal with the spread of Covid-19 resulting from a new cluster from pubs and bars in the Thong Lor area.
The PM did not, however, give any details about where the field hospitals would be set up and when they were likely to be completed.
As for activities during the Songkran festival next week, he said any events not considered essential should not be held, especially if they involve large gatherings.
Gen Prayut said the government was seeking suitable measures to maintain disease control while maintaining economic activity and it was speeding up its vaccination rollout to hasten widespread protection from the virus.
He pointed out, however, that even those countries producing their own vaccines were facing a surge in infections and this was hampering their vaccine production.
"We ask for your cooperation in following the government's instructions and health measures to help protect society from the disease," he said.
"Everybody must wear face masks and maintain social distancing when they are in risky areas.
"The government will need to close down some venues if they do not enforce preventative measures."
Another 334 new Covid-19 cases were reported by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) yesterday, 327 inside Thailand and seven imported, raising the total to 29,905.
That followed the announcement of 250 new infections on Tuesday, representing a 33% increase.
Bangkok recorded 216 new cases (66% of the daily increment), with 133 found by mass testing (including 126 Thais and two Filipinos) and 83 confirmed at hospitals (81 Thai, one Lao and one Indian).
Samut Sakhon province reported 12 new cases at hospitals (nine Thai and three Myanmar).
Nonthaburi had eight new cases confirmed at hospitals (five Thai, two Myanmar and one Vietnamese).
