COVID-19 Cases Soar In Thailand, Ministry Of Health Urges Indonesian Citizens To Be Alert

Illustration of the Covid 19 virus (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Health's Department of Disease Control (DDC) of Thailand reported a significant increase in COVID-19 cases during the period 11 to 15 May 2025. In these five days, 14,751 cases and 1 death from COVID-19 were recorded.

Overall, from January 1 to May 15, 2025, Thailand has recorded 84,488 cases of COVID-19 with 24 deaths, resulting in a 0.03% case fatality rate.

According to a DDC report, COVID-19 cases in Thailand occur throughout the year, but tend to increase during the rainy season, long holidays, new school academic years, and the celebration period of the Thai New Year (Songkran).

Based on the results of the last whole genome sequencing (WGS) on April 24, 2025 on 16 specimens, it was found that there were 2 cases of COVID-19 subvariants, JN.1, 6 cases of XEC, and 8 other variants. However, since May 5, 2025, no additional WGS reports have been sent to the global GISAID platform.

The Thai government through the DDC urges the public to remain vigilant and comply with health protocols, such as wearing masks, especially in closed or crowded places, washing hands regularly, avoiding close contact with individuals with respiratory symptoms, paying more attention to vulnerable groups such as the elderly and comorbid sufferers, and immediately seeking medical treatment if the antigen test results show positive.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) was quoted from the website of the Ministry of Health.go.id which was monitored by VOI.ID Sunday, May 18, issuing an appeal to Indonesian citizens (WNI) regarding the increase in COVID-19 cases in Thailand.

"In response to this situation, Indonesian citizens who are in or planning to go to Thailand are advised by the Indonesian health authorities to implement health protocols, including wearing masks when coughing/pilek, washing hands, and maintaining coughing and sneezing ethics and not traveling when sick," he wrote.

The Ministry of Health also asked Indonesian citizens to comply with local health guidelines from Thai authorities while in the country.

"Examination of yourself to health facilities if you experience symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or runny nose, both while in Thailand and within 14 days after returning to Indonesia," he continued.

With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand, the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of vigilance for Indonesian citizens. This is in view of international mobility and the emergence of various new subvariants of COVID-19 which are still being closely monitored by global health institutions.