An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), part of the 2019–2020 global pandemic, has been ongoing in Thailand since 13 January 2020, when the country made the first confirmation of a case outside China. Surveillance among incoming travellers revealed a small number of cases throughout January, almost all of whom were visitors or residents returning from China. The first reported local transmission was confirmed on 31 January. The number of cases remained low throughout February, with forty confirmed by the end of the month. Cases saw a sharp increase in mid-March, which was attributed to several transmission clusters, the largest of which occurred at a Muay Thai fight at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on 6 March. Confirmed cases rose to over a hundred per day over the following week, and public venues and businesses were ordered to close in Bangkok and several other provinces. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared a state of emergency, effective on 26 March, though a curfew has not been announced.
The Thai government's response to the outbreak was initially based on surveillance and contact tracing, in accordance with the Department of Disease Control's three-stage response model. Temperature and symptom screening for coronavirus testing was implemented at international airports, as well as at hospitals for patients with travel or contact history. Investigations were performed in response to outbreak clusters. Public education focused on self-monitoring for at-risk groups, practising hygiene (especially hand washing), and avoiding crowds (or wearing masks if not possible). While residents returning from high-risk countries were encouraged to self-quarantine, travel restrictions were not announced until 5 March, when four countries were designated as "disease-infected zones" and travellers subject to quarantine, while those arriving from other high-risk countries are placed under observation. Further restrictions were announced on 19 March, requiring medical certification for international arrivals, and also health insurance for foreigners.
The government has been sharply criticized for various aspects of its response to the crisis. In early February, in response to concerns over hoarding and price gouging of face masks, the government issued price controls and intervened in their distribution. The move failed to prevent shortages among hospitals, and became a scandal over perceived corruption and siphoning of supplies. Criticism was also aimed at the government's inconsistent policy over international travel and quarantine requirements, indecisiveness and slowness to act, and poor communication — many official announcements were made available to the public, only to be quickly retracted or contradicted by other government units, and later changed. The abrupt closure of Bangkok businesses prompted tens of thousands of workers to travel to their hometowns, risking further spread and reflecting the failure among agencies to coordinate a unified response.
Thailand had confirmed the first case on 13 January, which is from China. Travellers were screened from 28 January. The first local case is on 31 January 2020. On 26 February 2020, another imported cases came from Japan, followed by one on 28 February 2020 from South Korea, 5 March from Italy, 6 March from Iran and United Kingdom. Thailand advises travellers to postpone trips to affected areas, and healthcare workers are not allowed to travel unless necessary, and 14 day quarantine was necessary.
On 21 March, Thailand had announced all Bangkok malls to close, together with schools and universities, the exemption is mainly for grocery stuffs, amid 89 new virus cases. On 30 March 2020, Phuket had already been locked down.
In addition; social distancing measures were placed in buses and trains of Bangkok's metro.
Thailand's reopening:
- 3 May 2020: Restaurants, cafes and markets can reopen
- 17 May 2020: Malls and gyms can reopen, shorten curfew. Department stores and community malls can resume from 10am to 8pm.
- 31 May 2020: Cinemas and massage parlours can reopen
- 1 July 2020: Bars, clubs and karaoke lounges can reopen, must adhere to 12 midnight closing time and have social distancing measures