World

Thailand closely monitoring spread of Omicron XEC variant

The number of cases continues to rise, with two significant cluster outbreaks identified. The spike follows the Songkran holiday period (week 16), during which case numbers steadily increased.

A medical worker takes COVID-19 sample for a citizen in Bangkok (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
A medical worker takes COVID-19 sample for a citizen in Bangkok (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) - COVID-19 cases have surged in Thailand, with a total of 71,067 infections and 19 deaths reported between January 1 and May 14, according to the country’s COVID-19 Information Centre.

The number of cases continues to rise, with two significant cluster outbreaks identified. The spike follows the Songkran holiday period (week 16), during which case numbers steadily increased.

Data from the Department of Medical Sciences shows a growing presence of the Omicron XEC variant in Thailand during January and February. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious, monitor symptoms, wash hands frequently, and wear masks in crowded places.

The XEC variant is a newly emerged recombinant strain of Omicron, first identified in Germany in June 2024. It is a hybrid of two subvariants, namely KS.1.1 (FLiRT) and KP.3.3 (FLuQE). XEC carries multiple mutations that enable faster transmission, and it has now been detected in at least 15 countries across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Over 550 genetic sequences from 27 countries have been documented. Data from the US, UK, and China shows that XEC spreads 84–110% faster than other Omicron subvariants, making up 10–20% of new infections in some regions./.

VNA
#Thailand #Covid-19 #Omicron XEC variant
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Thai students and other passengers, many wearing face masks, ride a boat along the Chao Phraya River. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand: Covid resurgence ‘no cause for alarm’

From January 1 to May 10, up to 53,676 COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths have been reported in Thailand. Bangkok recorded the most infections with 16,723 cases, peaking during the week of April 27 to May 3 at 14,349 cases, including two deaths.

See more

Authorities in Banteay Meanchey province raids a building used for online fraud in Poipet city, arresting more than 270 people and seizing a large amount of evidence in July (Photo: AKP/VNA)

Cambodia proposes life imprisonment for leaders of online scam networks

A 2024 report by the United States Institute of Peace estimated that illicit revenues from online scams in Cambodia could exceed 12.5 billion USD annually, equivalent to roughly half of the country’s GDP. Prime Minister Hun Manet has previously said the scam centres are seriously damaging Cambodia’s economy and international image, pledging to “clean up” the problem.

Laos confirms stable fuel supply

Laos confirms stable fuel supply

Government spokesperson Sonexay Sitphaxay and Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Chanthaboun Soukaloun provided an update on the national fuel supply situation.

Singapore diversifies its sources of imported LNG, and also has a fuel stockpile for power-generation companies to draw from. (Photo: Reuters)

Singapore adopts multiple measures to safeguard energy security

On the measures the Singapore government has in place to handle the rise in global gas prices, Tan highlighted that around half of the city-state’s gas is piped to Singapore from the region and is therefore “unaffected”. Moreover, the country diversifies its sources of imported LNG, and hence is “not overly exposed to the Middle East”, he noted.

Philippines eyes non-permanent seat in UN Security Council

Philippines eyes non-permanent seat in UN Security Council

The Philippines has been working with the UN on many important global issues for decades, and its candidacy for the Security Council serves not only the country's own interests but also aims to strengthen its overall cooperation with the world's largest multilateral organisation, President Marcos said.

An Air India Express Boeing 737-300 sits on the runway at Phuket airport shortly after making a hard landing on March 11. (Photo: Phuket International Airport)

Aircraft incident disrupts operations at Thailand’s Phuket airport

Preliminary findings indicated that the aircraft made a hard landing, resulting in damage to the landing gear and nose gear assembly. The incident caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and prevented it from being moved immediately, leading airport authorities to suspend runway operations.

Indonesian authorities rescue 34 stranded pilot whales

Indonesian authorities rescue 34 stranded pilot whales

The agency's head Imam Fauzi said his team conducted rescue operations for a total of 55 stranded whales from March 9 night to March 10 in a coordinated effort involving local security forces, conservation agencies, officials, and residents. Twenty-one whales were declared dead after stranding.

Indonesia shipped 1.8 million tonnes of palm oil to the Middle East in 2025. (Photo: REUTERS)

Middle East conflict pushes up Indonesia’s palm oil export costs

The conflict, which intensified after coordinated strikes by the US and Israel on Iran’s capital Tehran late last month, had disrupted key maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, some cargo vessels were delayed or forced to take longer alternative routes, raising transport expenses and maritime insurance premiums.

Minister of State Apparatus Utilization and Bureaucratic Reform Rini Widyantini (Photo: beritasatu.com)

Indonesia steps up plan to relocate civil servants to new capital

A meeting to review progress and implementation mechanisms for the relocation plan focused on office capacity in Nusantara, the availability of official housing and the criteria for selecting ministries and agencies that will relocate in the initial phase.

Delegates at the press briefing (Photo: Tempo.co)

Indonesia likely to achieve 6% growth amid geopolitical uncertainty

At a press briefing in Jakarta on March 11 to release the state budget report, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi said the Indonesian economy remained in an expansionary phase, with macroeconomic indicators staying stable. He noted that first-quarter growth was expected to exceed the 5.39% recorded in the final quarter of 2025.