Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok was packed with people today (Saturday), queuing in multiple lines to get vaccinated on the last day of the walk-in service.

The service was being provided to the over 60s, women who are at least 12 weeks pregnant, those afflicted with any of the seven underlying diseases and people who weigh more than 100kgs.

Starting on Sunday, however, only those who have registered online, via Thailand’s mobile phone service providers since July 29th, are eligible to be vaccinated. The service is also open to people aged between 18 and 60. Only 10,000 doses are to be administered each day and the free inoculations will last until the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Information Centre reported that 17,491,632 doses of vaccines were administered in 77 provinces between February 28th and July 30th. This comprises 13,640,179 people who have received the first jab and 3,851,453 who are now fully inoculated.

To speed up the process at all vaccination sites, including in private and state hospitals across the country, the CCSA has removed the requirement for blood pressure checks.

On Samui Island, another field hospital is due to open on Sunday, to cope with anticipated increase in COVID-19 cases, which are expected to overwhelm the existing capacities of Koh Samui hospital and the current field hospital, after 113 people were found infected in a restaurant cluster.

The new field hospital will be able to accommodate 100 patients.

Following the Phuket “sandbox” model, the resort island launched the “Samui Plus” program on July 15th, to welcome foreign tourists who are fully inoculated and screened for infection no more than 72 hours before arrival.

20 foreign tourists flew onto the island on Friday and Samui-Singapore flights are to resume operations tomorrow.