Thai Economy Struggles Amid COVID Second Wave
29 January 2021
Share
share
Print
Thailand had hoped the new year would bring relief to its battered economy. But a second wave of the coronavirus has sunk the kingdom deeper into trouble, leaving streets scarred with abandoned businesses and millions scrambling for an income.
The kingdom, one of Asia’s most unequal societies, appeared to have controlled the virus, with just a fraction of the caseload seen in the worst-hit countries. But outbreaks blamed on Myanmar migrants smuggled over the border by Thai officials as well as clusters at illegal gambling dens saw a resurgence of the pandemic. Since December 15, 12,000 cases have been recorded, around three times the previous level.