The Thai army has mobilized its men and equipment to assist public health officials in providing field hospitals, to accommodate COVID-19 patients, facilitating the transport of patients to hospitals and in vaccinations.

The Army Commander-in-Chief General Narongpan Jitkaewtae has instructed all regional commanders to prepare their men and equipment to support the Public Health Ministry.

So far, the army has already set up 19 field hospitals, with a combined capacity of 3,050 beds, adding that seven of them, in Bangkok, Songkhla, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Krabi and Lop Buri, are now operational.

Ten ambulances have been provided to help in the transport of patients and the army is prepared to convert some of its other vehicles into ambulances in the case that more are needed, while army medics are ready to help in the vaccination program.