Thai Transport Minister Is Tested Positive For COVID-19, Colleagues And Politicians Are Isolated

COVID Illustration 19. (Prasesh Shiwakoti/Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Thailand's Minister of Transportation Saksayam Chidchob is confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, after experiencing a fever of up to 38 degrees Celsius.

Minister Saksayam is currently being treated at Buri Ram Hospital for observation and tests this Wednesday. Originally, he would receive the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine today.

Previously, Minister Saksayam denied the rumors he had visited an entertainment venue in Thonglor Blood, Bangkok on March 25. However, after one of his staff who visited a pub in Thonglor tested positive for COVID-19, he ordered the rest of the staff to test for COVID-19 and undergo isolation for 14 days.

Saksayam became the first minister in Thailand's Cabinet to be infected with COVID-19. Meanwhile, the Saksayam-based political party, the Bhumjaithai Party, said other ministers, lawmakers, and coalition politicians had been in contact with the confirmed cases.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha moved quickly, turning his weekly meeting of 36 cabinet members into virtual ones on Wednesday. He urged ministers to avoid exposure to the virus.

He said the public should be careful ahead of next week's Thai new year celebrations, where crowds traditionally gather across the country.

To note, the COVID-19 infection in Thailand has surged in the past week, although the number is still low compared to some of its regional neighbors.

As of Wednesday, authorities recorded 334 new cases of COVID-19 infection, without any additional deaths. A year of strict border control, quarantine, testing, and contact tracing protocols. Thailand recorded 29.905 positive cases and 95 deaths.