The Covid-19 situation continues to deteriorate, with a record 212 deaths and 21,838 cases reported over the past 24 hours, according to the Public Health Ministry.
Of the new cases, 20,915 were among the general population and 923 were inmates.
Over the past 24 hours, 21,108 patients were discharged from hospitals.
Since April 1, around when the third wave of Covid-19 began, there have been 707,659 Covid patients, 489,586 of whom have recovered.
Since the pandemic started early last year, 736,522 have been infected and 517,012 have recovered.
The death toll is 5,972 from the third wave and 6,066 from the beginning of the pandemic early last year.
The previous records were seen on Friday, when 191 deaths and 21,379 cases were reported.
Thailand has fallen to 120th and last place, tied with Vietnam, in the latest Covid Recovery Index compiled by Nikkei Asia and updated each month.
According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration Facebook page, the 212 people who died were aged between 31 and 97 years old, with an average age of 67. Of the total, 116 were men.
By nationality, 207 were Thais, two each were Myanmar nationals and Chinese and one was Indian. Four died at home in Samut Prakan (3) and Songkhla (1).
Ninety-six of those who died had either lived in or visited outbreak areas, 45 caught the virus from colleagues or caregivers and 41 got it from family members.
Bangkok had 99 new fatalities while nearby provinces reported 46 — 23 in Samut Prakan, 10 in Samut Sakhon, seven in Pathum Thani and three each in Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom.
The South saw 18 new fatalities — Pattani (5), Narathiwat (3), Ranong (2), Satun (2) and Nakhon Si Thammarat (1). The Northeast logged 13 deaths — three each in Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani, two in Khon Kaen and one each in Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Sakon Nakhon and Amnat Charoen.
The North reported 11 deaths — three each in Kamphaeng Phet and Nakhon Sawan, one each in Lamphang, Phetchabun, Uttaradit, Chai Nat and Tak.
Other provinces recorded 25 new fatalities — 10 in Chon Buri, four in Ang Thong, three in Chachoengsao, two each in Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri and one each in Phetchaburi, Trat, Rayong, Sa Kaeo and Sing Buri.
The 21,838 new cases included 20,911 local infections, 10 imported and the 923 cases in prisons. Of the local infections, 17,160 were confirmed at hospitals and 3,751 via mass testing.
Bangkok logged 4,221 new cases, followed by 1,428 in Samut Prakan, 1,418 in Chon Buri, 1,372 in Samut Sakhon, 781 in Nakhon Pathom, 699 in Nonthaburi, 595 in Saraburi, 514 in Pathum Thani, 448 in Chachoengsao and 396 in Ubon Ratchathani.
The four imported cases were from Turkey (1), Malaysia (1) and Myanmar (2). All were Thai returnees, two of them entering the country via natural border crossing.
A total of 213,444 patients remained at hospitals. Of them, 5,159 were critically ill with 1,060 dependent on ventilators.
Global Covid-19 cases rose by 693,711 in 24 hours to 202.40 million. The worldwide death toll up went up by 10,139 to 4.29 million. The United States had the most cases at 36.44 million, up 130,706. Thailand ranked 37 th globally for its 736,522 accumulated cases.
Starting this month, the CCSA is holding briefings only on Monday and Thursday, instead of daily. Updates will be available everyday as usual on its Facebook page (Thai language).