Andre Malerba

Photographer

www.andremalerba.com

Thailand's Covid-19 Response

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Clients: US Holocaust Memorial Museum, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Rest of World, The Washington Post

School: The International Center of Photography The University of Vermont

An elderly man is tested for Co..., Bangkok, Thailand, April 202.

1 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

An elderly man is tested for Covid-19 at a small retirement community in Don Muang district, Bangkok, Thailand, April 202.

Buddhist monks, wearing face ma...ngkok, Thailand, February 2021.

2 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Buddhist monks, wearing face masks, participate in group prayer during Makha Bukha day at Wat Dhammakay in Bangkok, Thailand, February 2021.

Health workers communicate with... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

3 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Health workers communicate with a Covid-19 positive patient via Facebook video chat at a field hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

A screen displays a Covid-19 vi... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

4 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A screen displays a Covid-19 virus graphic on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

Children eat lunch behind socia...opening after the initial wave.

5 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Children eat lunch behind social distancing screens at Wat Khlongtoei school in Bangkok, Thailand, August 2020. Many schools struggled to assure parents that their children would be safe upon reopening after the initial wave.

People line up to receive free ... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

6 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

People line up to receive free meals at Wat Don Muang to help offset income loss due to lockdown, arranged by the Thai Air Force, in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Food, supplied by the Thai Airf... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

7 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Food, supplied by the Thai Airforce is handed out at Wat Don Muang to help offset income loss due to lockdown in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

A barber cuts a clients hair at... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

8 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A barber cuts a clients hair at his shop under a bridge in Phra Khanong in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Novice Buddhist monks gather al...ly way that monks receive food.

9 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Novice Buddhist monks gather alms wearing face shields in Bangkok's Bang Sue district in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020. Alms gathering is the only way that monks receive food.

Several people exercise outdoor...in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

10 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Several people exercise outdoors, in the normally over-crowded Lumphini Park in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

A hotel staffer puts on PPE bef...angkok, Thailand, October 2020.

11 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A hotel staffer puts on PPE before sterilizing a room to prepare for the arrival of guests in Bangkok, Thailand, October 2020.

A general view of a mall with m...in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

12 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A general view of a mall with most of its floors closed to patrons during a semi-lockdown in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Pet groomers tend to a cat whil...in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

13 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Pet groomers tend to a cat while wearing face masks and face shields in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Muslim women wear face masks du...in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

14 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Muslim women wear face masks during Eid al-Fitr, at The Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Researchers from the Thai Red C... effort to understand Covid-19.

15 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Researchers from the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infections Disease Health Science Center, catch and study bats during a catch and release program at the Khao Chong Pran Cave in Ratchaburi, Thailand, December 2020. The team, led by Dr. Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, have been collecting blood, tissue, saliva and fecal samples from bats in an effort to understand Covid-19.

Thai Airways stewardesses and p...ngkok, Thailand, February 2021.

16 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Thai Airways stewardesses and pilots pose for a picture with the first ever delivery of Covid-19 vaccines from Sinovac Biotech Ltd., at Suvarnabhumi Airport, in Bangkok, Thailand, February 2021.

A government worker sterilizes ...angkok, Thailand, January 2021.

17 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A government worker sterilizes playground equipment in PPE prior to the reopening of San Chao School in Bangkok, Thailand, January 2021.

Traditional Thai dancers wear f...n Bangkok, Thailand, July 2020.

18 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Traditional Thai dancers wear face masks at Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand, July 2020.

A woman receives a Covid-19 swa... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

19 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A woman receives a Covid-19 swab test from a mobile testing unit on Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

The famous Soi Cowboy sits aban... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

20 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

The famous Soi Cowboy sits abandoned by tourists and workers during lockdown in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

Delivery people sit in a social...inue to sell via delivery only.

21 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Delivery people sit in a socially distanced area in Central Pinklao Mall as they wait for food vendors to hand them delivery orders in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020. While malls closed, a system was set up so that food vendors could continue to sell via delivery only.

A health worker disinfects a Co... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

22 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A health worker disinfects a Covid-19 swab test sample before storing it for transport to a lab in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Members of the Thai Royal Army ... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

23 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Members of the Thai Royal Army disinfect the Phra Ram 9 MRT station as part of a city-wide effort to disinfect all train stations in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

A referee and coach, wearing fa...ad to quarantine for two weeks.

24 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A referee and coach, wearing face masks and face shields, attempt to revive a KO'd Muay Thai fighter at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, July 2020. Matches were televised only, with no live audience and teams had to quarantine for two weeks.

People wait in line to sign up ...axi and motorbike taxi drivers.

25 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

People wait in line to sign up for government cash handouts to help offset job loss due to Covid-19 in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020. Gig workers and freelancers had a particularly difficult time, as the system currently in place is not designed to deal with claims from people who aren't employed by a company. This includes taxi and motorbike taxi drivers.

People line up to receive Coron... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

26 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

People line up to receive Coronavac Covid-19 vaccines, developed by Sinovac Biotech Ltd., at Wat Nimmanoradee in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

A health worker administers a C... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

27 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A health worker administers a Covid-19 vaccine in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

A policeman administers tempera... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

28 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A policeman administers temperature checks at an outbound traffic checkpoint on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

A young girl is given hand sani...n Bangkok, Thailand, May 20200.

29 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A young girl is given hand sanitizer before entering the The Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand, May 20200.

A government worker disinfects ...angkok, Thailand, January 2021.

30 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A government worker disinfects a classroom at San Chao School prior to reopening in Bangkok, Thailand, January 2021.

A health worker inspects a room...Thailand, April 2021.

31 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A health worker inspects a room at a field hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

People walk through a &quot...e safe during the initial wave.

32 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

People walk through a "sanitization gate" at EmQuartier Mall in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020. The contraption spritzed people with sanitizer as they walked through, an attempt by malls to assure patrons that they were safe during the initial wave.

A health worker administers one...iland, February 2021.

33 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A health worker administers one of the initial doses of Coronavac Covid-19 vaccine - produced by Sinovac Biotech Ltd. - to be available in Bangkok, Thailand, February 2021.

People line up to receive Coron... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

34 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

People line up to receive Coronavac Covid-19 vaccines, developed by Sinovac Biotech Ltd., at Wat Nimmanoradee in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

High risk individuals sit on Kh... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

35 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

High risk individuals sit on Khao San Road as they wait for mobile testing booths to become available in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

A health worker checks the bloo...Thailand, March 2021.

36 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A health worker checks the blood pressure of a woman, after she received the Coronavac Covid-19 vaccine, produced by Sinovac Biotech Ltd in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

A woman has her picture taken w...gkok, Thailand, September 2020.

37 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A woman has her picture taken with Thai Airways staff at a pop up restaurant designed to help offset the financial loss due to travel and flight restrictions in Bangkok, Thailand, September 2020.

Government workers and voluntee...angkok, Thailand, January 2021.

38 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

Government workers and volunteers clean a playground area at San Chao School prior to reopening in Bangkok, Thailand, January 2021.

A health worker administers the... Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

39 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A health worker administers the Coronavac Covid-19 vaccine, produced by Sinovac Biotech Ltd in Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

A couple of people stop at 7/11... Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

40 of 40 © 2024 Andre Malerba

A couple of people stop at 7/11 after dark on an abandoned Khao San Road, normally packed to the brim with tourist in Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

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Thumbnail of An elderly man is tested for Cov_t, Bangkok, Thailand, April 202.

Thumbnail of Buddhist monks, wearing face mas_angkok, Thailand, February 2021.

Thumbnail of Health workers communicate with _n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

Thumbnail of A screen displays a Covid-19 vir_n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

Thumbnail of Children eat lunch behind social_eopening after the initial wave.

Thumbnail of People line up to receive free m_n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Thumbnail of Food, supplied by the Thai Airfo_n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Thumbnail of A barber cuts a clients hair at _n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Thumbnail of Novice Buddhist monks gather alm_nly way that monks receive food.

Thumbnail of Several people exercise outdoors_ in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Thumbnail of A hotel staffer puts on PPE befo_Bangkok, Thailand, October 2020.

Thumbnail of A general view of a mall with mo_ in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Thumbnail of Pet groomers tend to a cat while_ in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Thumbnail of Muslim women wear face masks dur_ in Bangkok, Thailand, May 2020.

Thumbnail of Researchers from the Thai Red Cr_n effort to understand Covid-19.

Thumbnail of Thai Airways stewardesses and pi_angkok, Thailand, February 2021.

Thumbnail of A government worker sterilizes p_Bangkok, Thailand, January 2021.

Thumbnail of Traditional Thai dancers wear fa_in Bangkok, Thailand, July 2020.

Thumbnail of A woman receives a Covid-19 swab_n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

Thumbnail of The famous Soi Cowboy sits aband_n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

Thumbnail of Delivery people sit in a sociall_tinue to sell via delivery only.

Thumbnail of A health worker disinfects a Cov_n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2020.

Thumbnail of Members of the Thai Royal Army d_n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

Thumbnail of A referee and coach, wearing fac_had to quarantine for two weeks.

Thumbnail of People wait in line to sign up f_taxi and motorbike taxi drivers.

Thumbnail of People line up to receive Corona_n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

Thumbnail of A health worker administers a Co_n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

Thumbnail of A policeman administers temperat_f Bangkok, Thailand, March 2020.

Thumbnail of A young girl is given hand sanit_in Bangkok, Thailand, May 20200.

Thumbnail of A government worker disinfects a_Bangkok, Thailand, January 2021.

Thumbnail of A health worker inspects a room _ Thailand, April 2021.

Thumbnail of People walk through a "_re safe during the initial wave.

Thumbnail of A health worker administers one _ailand, February 2021.

Thumbnail of People line up to receive Corona_n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

Thumbnail of High risk individuals sit on Kha_n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

Thumbnail of A health worker checks the blood_ Thailand, March 2021.

Thumbnail of A woman has her picture taken wi_ngkok, Thailand, September 2020.

Thumbnail of Government workers and volunteer_Bangkok, Thailand, January 2021.

Thumbnail of A health worker administers the _n Bangkok, Thailand, March 2021.

Thumbnail of A couple of people stop at 7/11 _n Bangkok, Thailand, April 2021.

Public Project

Thailand's Covid-19 Response

Copyright Andre Malerba 2024

Updated May 2021

Topics Documentary, Dying/Death, family, Human Rights, labor, Livable Wages, Parenting & Family, Photography, Photojournalism, Travel

With the typical influx of tourists during Chinese New Year, Thailand was expected to experience a severe outbreak of Covid-19 in early 2020. However, after an initial rise in cases, Thailand experienced a relatively low number of confirmed cases and few deaths (less than 100) throughout 2020. Widespread mask usage, good hygiene and a robust contact tracing program helped to contain the virus from the start. It wasn't until 2021 that the UK variant made its way into Thailand, and led to a sharp increase in daily cases and deaths. Currently, the Thai government is struggling to administer enough vaccines to help stop the spread and avoid a more severe third wave.

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