At the start of April, just before the Songkran holiday, Thailand was once again submerged in chaos as a third wave of COVID-19 infections hit the country. This unfortunate event came as a shock to many and dimmed hopes just when it seemed that the situation was getting better.
At the time of writing, the total number of positive cases was at 43,742, and daily numbers were averaging more than 1,000—record highs in Thailand since the outbreak started in early 2020. In response to the worsening situation, the government imposed more stringent restrictions, including the closure of entertainment venues and an alcohol ban.
With medical institutions struggling to accommodate the influx of patients, the Prayut-led administration also began setting up field hospitals across the country. The initiative first began as a result of the continuous rise of cases in Samut Sakhon back in January 2021, which led to the weakening capabilities of hospitals to accommodate the infected. Now that infections are widespread all over the country, the government feels obligated to operate field hospitals in other provinces.
A field hospital basically operates like any other hospital. The difference is, the bigger space of a field can hold a huge number of COVID-19 patients—significantly more than a regular hospital. More than a hundred beds can be accommodated under one roof. Each bed is positioned at least one meter away from the next one, there is a good amount of air circulation, and each field hospital is equipped with running water and electricity. The premises need to be approximately 10-20 meters away from a residential area.
Right now, over 30 field hospitals have been set up all over Thailand (and counting), with at least five located in Bangkok. The authorities strongly believe that these makeshift spaces help control the spread of the virus while allowing medical personnel to closely supervise patients. More importantly, general hospitals can separate the COVID-infected and continue to treat individuals with other conditions with less risk.
Gymnasiums, military districts and newly-constructed medical buildings are some of the venues that the government is eying to turn into more field hospitals. Bangkok Ministration Administration (BMA), according to Thai PBS, is aiming to have 10,000 beds by the end of April. Below are some of the field hospitals that are currently operating in Bangkok:
- Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital (1,000 beds)
- Ratchaphiphat Hospital (200 beds)
- 84th Anniversary Stadium (200 beds)
- Bangkok Arena (350 beds)
- Anti Aircraft Artillery Division (Chaeng Watthana, 200 beds)
The project sounds promising, but many have criticized the quality and safety of each state-designated establishment, based on images that have surfaced on the Internet. In response, the government claims that comfort is not a priority and that field hospitals are, at heart, meant to prevent more contagion. Netizens are also questioning the mandate that requires anyone with the infection to be automatically quarantined in these premises (although the government is said to be considering home isolation programs for those with mild symptoms).
The government has also smartly revealed “hospitels”—collaborative facilities that combine medical services with hotel amenities—as an alternative for those who want a more upgraded stay while recovering from the virus.
The list of field hospitals and the number of bed was updated as of April 18.