Coronavirus: Thailand tightens restrictions after record cases and casualties; Singapore to test fishmongers

Thailand recorded more than 10,000 new cases for the first time despite an overnight curfew in Bangkok and several other provinces

Singapore has closed the Jurong Fishery Port for deep cleaning amid concern that infections there have spread to a market in Chinatown

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Thai health care workers administer AstraZenica vaccines in Bangkok. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 2:16pm, 17 Jul 2021Updated: 9:13pm, 17 Jul 2021

Thailand has tightened coronavirus restrictions and warned of further measures as daily cases surpassed 10,000 for the first time and the death toll hit a record 141 on Saturday despite an overnight curfew in Bangkok and several other provinces.

The surge since April has overwhelmed hospitals, strained the economy and thrown tourism recovery plans in doubt. The vaccine roll-out, hindered by supply problems, has been sluggish with some 5 per cent of the population fully vaccinated and 15 per cent only partially.

“I would like everyone to realise our necessity to impose stricter measures soon. We all may get affected and be inconvenienced in many ways,” Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha wrote on his Facebook page late on Friday.

Cases have been climbing particularly in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

The government imposed additional measures overnight including a ban on any gatherings and activities that can spread the virus, including anti-government rallies that have criticised Prayuth’s handling of the pandemic.

Violators face up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to 40,000 baht (US$1,220).