page_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
section_title: July
hierarchical_section_title: COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand / Timeline / July
caption_attribution_description: English: Korat protest 2020
context_page_description: The COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand is part of the worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The virus was confirmed to have reached Thailand on 13 January 2020, when the country made the first confirmation of a case outside China. Surveillance among incoming travellers revealed a small number of cases throughout January, almost all of whom were visitors or residents returning from China. The first reported local transmission was confirmed on 31 January.
  The number of cases remained low throughout February, totaling to 40 confirmed by the end of the month. The number of cases surged in mid-March, which could be traced to several transmission clusters, the largest of which occurred at a Muay Thai fight at the military-run Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on 6 March. Confirmed cases rose to over a hundred per day over the following week, and public venues and businesses were ordered to close in Bangkok and several other provinces. The abrupt closure of Bangkok businesses prompted tens of thousands of workers to travel to their hometowns.
context_section_description: On 15 July, the national centre for COVID-19 has announced two new infected cases; an Egyptian soldier in Rayong Province, and a Sudanese diplomat's daughter in Asok neighbourhood of Bangkok. Both of them were the government's exceptions for "VIP guests," not requiring to comply with several COVID-19 measures. The government also keep secret the high-risk areas that both patients have been located during their stay until 16 July, infuriating many netizens who were afraid of the possible second outbreak. Many criticised on both the government's failure to contain the disease from those VIPs, and its failure to boost the heavily effected tourism industry in Rayong Province where more than 90% of hotel bookings were cancelled. This situation was considered the eruption point of the coming protest on 18 July.
  On the same day, the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a visit to Rayong Province. Prior to his arrival were two protesters held signs calling for his resignation. Both were immedieatly arrested and reportedly beaten by the police, infuriating many Twitter users.
  On 18 July, Thailand saw the largest street demonstration since the 2014 Thai coup d'état The protests later spread nationwide, collectively called the 2020 Thai protests, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
caption: Part of the 2020 Thai protests in July at Thao Suranari Square, Nakhon Ratchasima Province
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