24 Feb, 2021
Bangkok –
Four popular economic boosting and tourist destinations, which are Chonburi, Phuket, Surat Thani (which includes popular tourist island Koh Samui), and Chiang Mai, are now prioritized for Covid-19 vaccine distribution along with nine other provinces that have had significant cases of Covid-19 to receive the first 200,000 shots of Sinovac’s Covid-19 vaccines within three days after their arrival in Thailand today, February 24th.
CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin announced yesterday morning, February 23rd, that three groups are now scheduled for the Covid-19 vaccine distribution, particularly in the previously-declared highest and strictest controlled areas and the four national economic driving zones.
The first batch of 70,000 shots is to go to the highest control areas of Samut Sakhon, to cover nearly 35,000 medical officials (8,000 doses), medical front-liners (6,000 doses), chronically ill patients (46,000 doses), and migrant workers and local people (10,000 doses)
The second batch of 105,000 doses will be distributed to similar individuals in the group of strictest controlled areas, namely Bangkok (66,000 doses), Pathum Thani (8,000 doses), Nonthaburi (6,000 doses), Samut Prakan (6,000 doses), Tak (Mae Sot district) (5,000 doses), Nakhon Pathom (3,500 doses), Ratchaburi (2,500 doses), and Samut Songkram (2,000 doses).
The third batch of 14,700 doses is planned for four famous tourism areas, where 4,700 doses will be given in Chonburi, 4,000 in Phuket, 3,500 in Chiang Mai, and 2,500 in Koh Samui of Surat Thani.
Unlike the first two groups, people who will receive the vaccine to be distributed in the third group of the economic spur driving areas are under the discussion and consideration of the Provincial Communicable Disease Committee and other related authorities.
According to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O’Cha, the Sinovac vaccination will be distributed to certain areas and will be ready for injection within three days after it has arrived in the Kingdom.
Moreover, the CCSA also revealed future plans for the four provinces which will remain a top priority (along with medical workers and vulnerable people in previous outbreak areas), according to the CCSA, for future vaccines as part of a long-term plan to revive the tourist industry in the most popular destinations in Thailand. One includes the “Area Quarantines” proposal, which aims to initially allow vaccinated tourists to stay within certain areas for their quarantine period and enjoy local tourist attractions.
