On October 28th the military-backed government has extended Thailand's state of emergency for another month, to the end of November. The emergency imposed late March gives Thailand's Prime Minister, Dictator, Songwriter and a man of many words Prayut Chan-o-cha sweeping powers, including a ban on large gatherings that prevents anti-government protests. The latest extension is again a consolidation of power, and an unnecessary use of power, said Anusorn Iamsa-ard, a spokesman for Pheu Thai, the largest opposition party. But Thailand's Deputy Premier Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon, the man of 'borrowed' luxury watches, claims fear of a second wave of infections, and not politics, is behind the government's need to extend the emergency decree. The government is being cautious about a possible second wave of Covid-19 infections, he added.

There have been 61'662 cases of dengue fever in Thailand with 41 deaths in the first 9½ months of this year. While Thailand seems to have the corona virus under control, the situation with dengue fever, another viral disease, is extremely worrying in the Kingdom. Thailand's Public Health Officials advise people to make sure that there is no standing water around their homes, as this is a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus.

October 11th: Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand has reported the highest incidence by far with nearly 500 per 100'000 population. This is followed by Rayong, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum and Chainat provinces.

Another dangerous virus in this area is the Chikungunya virus. It is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms of infection are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. The Chikungunya virus was found for the first time in the Americas on islands in the Caribbean in late 2013. The virus was imported by infected travellers into new areas such as Thailand. Currently there is no vaccine for prevention or medication to treat a Chikungunya virus infection.

October 11th: Health officials in Thailand are reporting 9'486 chikungunya cases in 72 provinces through October 5th. No deaths have been reported so far.

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by measles virus. Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days. Initial symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40°C, cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes. Small white spots may form inside the mouth two or three days after the start of symptoms. A red, flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms. Measles is an airborne disease which spreads easily from one person to the next through the coughs and sneezes of infected people. No specific treatment is available but the measles vaccine is effective at preventing the disease and is exceptionally safe. Through May 2nd, Thailand has seen 765 measles cases in 55 provinces. Narathiwat, Chiang Rai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket and Chiang Mai have been hardest hit by the measles.

• Wash your hands with a good soap.
  Hands are one of the most common ways that a virus spreads from one person to the next.
  Most viruses and some bacteria have lipid membranes that resemble double-layered micelles. These membranes are studded with important proteins that allow viruses to infect cells and perform vital tasks that keep bacteria alive.
  These lipid (fatty) bilayer are the weakest link of a virus.
  When you wash your hands with soap and water, you surround any microorganisms on your skin with soap molecules. Soap dissolves the fat membrane and the virus falls apart.
• The coronavirus is spread from person to person when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes. So people in close contact are at high risk.
  The influenza virus is spread in a similar way. A study shows when healthcare workers are within 1.8 metres of patients with influenza, their risk of being infected is increased.
  We therefore recommend to stay away from mass gatherings and to keep a distance of 2 meters to other people.
  Nowadays this behaviour is called social distancing and is a tool to slow down the spread of a disease that is passed on from person to person.
• There have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing.
  In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out.
  Aerosols are very small droplets that can contain the COVID-19 virus and are able to stay suspended in the air for longer periods of time.
• A virus can not enter your body throught the skin. The virus get into your body through your eyes, nose or throat.
  Therefore it is important to protect your eyes, nose and mouth, at least if you are one of those people who likes to touch the face with the hands.
  Keep in mind, that the average person touches the face 23 times per hour.
• Avoid the polite but unsanitary greeting by shaking hands.
  Rather nod your head or use the WAI that is common in Thailand.
• Do not kiss your partner or any other people
• Refrain from sex or use a condom!
• Wear a face mask and/or a face shield
• Stay at home - and wait for better times!