At 9:35 a.m. on May 20, Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin addressed the ongoing COVID-19 situation, stating that the monitoring calendar starts from January 1, 2025. As of the 21st week, Thailand has recorded a cumulative total of 108,891 COVID-19 cases and 27 deaths.
In comparison, during the same period in 2024, there were 412,528 cases and 121 deaths. In 2025, the majority of fatalities have occurred among the “608 group” — which includes the elderly, people with underlying health conditions, and children — with seniors accounting for up to 80% of deaths.
The current surge involves the XEC variant, a descendant of the Omicron strain. While generally not severe, this variant spreads rapidly, posing a heightened risk to vulnerable populations. Although the mortality rate is lower, the minister emphasized the importance of continued preventive measures.