In Laos, the capital Vientiane has the highest contamination rate in the country, with the Delta variant.
According to the authorities, contamination is essentially due to workers’ return from neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. In mid-August, the government confirmed the closure of public and private schools as well as the universities. This closure has been in effect since April 2021.
In Thailand, an outbreak of contamination is swiping the country along with public controversies over the health crisis and the government’s disastrous management.
Hospitals overflowed by the influx of patients are now taking care of the patients in parking lots, gymnasiums, or Suvarnabhumi airport’s freight area.
The country, which was relying on a vaccine that was supposed to be supplied by one of King RamaX’s companies, Siam Bioscience, must resort to search for doses in private sectors to commence its vaccination campaign.
At the same time, both national and regional borders remain closed, severely hampering economic development throughout the country. Schools also remain closed in the areas where the infection is most severe, namely in 16 provinces that account for 40% of the country’s population.
The government is also facing a resurgent pro-democracy protest. Some demonstrations have taken place in mid-July requesting the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and a supply of messenger RNA vaccines. They have led to violent clashes. The protestors were dispersed with rubber bullets and tear gas, methods that the government had previously refrained from using.