Immediately after Thailand’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign began at the end of last month, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered officials to look into the future use of vaccine passports, reported the Bangkok Post.
Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha is vaccinated against COVID-19 in Bangkok on March 16. (Photo: AP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Immediately after Thailand’s COVID-19vaccination campaign began at the end of last month, Prime Minister GenPrayut Chan-o-cha ordered officials to look into the future use of vaccinepassports, reported the Bangkok Post.
Last week, the national committee on communicable diseasesgave the green light to a proposal for travel permits that show vaccinationstatus. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said those who get two dosesof Sinovac's jab will be the first to receive vaccine certificates. In casethey want to go abroad, they can use them to apply for one-year vaccinepassports or yellow cards in print or digital format at a cost of 50 THB.
The Thai government has sought at least 63 million doses of vaccine to coverhalf of Thailand's population by the end of this year. While Sinovac beganshipping 2 million doses in February that will conclude in April, AstraZenecawill deliver 26 million doses from June to August and 35 million doses fromSeptember to December.
Somchai Jitsuchon, who serves on the board of directors atthe National Vaccine Institute, was quoted as saying that vaccine passports will ease restrictionsand help resume normal activities, especially international travel, because itwill waive or shorten quarantine or remove some requirements for foreignvisitors.
"Thailand will benefit tremendously because it isbetting on tourism. For instance, Phuket insisted that quarantine should bescrapped, but the government may not agree to its demand for now. If there isno accident, vaccine passports will likely be in use," he said as quotedby the newspaper./.
Thailand’s Minister of Finance Arkhom Termpittayapaisith feels upbeat about the country's economic prospects because of the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, predicting the economy will start picking up in the fourth quarter.
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The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on March 19 decided to gradually ease COVID-19 controls for foreign arrivals beginning on April 1, shortening or lifting quarantine periods and increasing the range of activities allowed them.
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In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
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International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
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The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha is vaccinated against COVID-19 in Bangkok on March 16. (Photo: AP/VNA) 
