Over 1,000 people have been infected with the Omicron variant and Bangkok has recorded the highest number of cases, said the Public Health Ministry.
Dr Supakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences, said the country recorded a total of 1,145 Omicron cases between Nov 1-Dec 30.
Of them, 620 were arrivals from abroad and 525 cases were local infections.
He said Thailand is likely to see a surge of local transmissions of the new variant, adding that on Thursday, Thailand saw 211 cases, of which 168 were local transmissions.
Bangkok has logged the highest number of Omicron cases so far at 325.
Dr Supakit said medical care for people infected with the new variant is no different from other variants. There is no need to test every Covid-19 patient to identify the variant unless large clusters are suspected.
Gen Supoj Malaniyom, head of operations at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said a nationwide lockdown is unlikely even if a new New Year surge erupts. Other curbs can be applied to contain the spread, he said.
Meanwhile, a planned Pfizer vaccine rollout for children aged 5 to 11 is expected to start in February, Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said.