Report by ICA Ambassador to Thailand 6/21

By Kennedy Ho

Thailand’s Covid-19 Situation (December 2020 - May 2021)

Thailand was doing so well until the beginning of December 2020.There were only approximately 3,000 confirmed cases and less than 100 deaths. The last five months has seen Covid-19 cases in Thailand skyrocket with 154,307 cases till today, 31 May 2021.

In the whole of Thailand, Bangkok has been the worst hit. Schools, gyms, and public parks are all closed. Restaurants can still open but only for take away food.

Gem business is, of course, still slow as the foreigners are still not allowed to travel to Thailand.

On the supply side, the gem market in Chanthaburi has been closed since 7 May 2021 after more than a hundred gemstone traders in Chanthaburi tested positive for Covid-19.

There are also no stones coming out of Burma. The main reason for the mine closure is the tense political situation in Burma.

Vaccine jabs have started but terribly slow. So far, there are only Sinovac and AstraZeneca available. Less than 5% of the population have been vaccinated.

Reference, click here.