As the Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic situation has escalated and the infection is widely spread, causing a large number of infected people and affecting the public health service system, livelihood, and well-being of the general public, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) has acknowledged the government's efforts to resolve the problem through epidemic control measures and remedial measures for those affected.
          However, the situation is likely to expand widely and continuously. Thus, with grave concerns, the NHRCT proposes recommendations to the government to protect the rights of people as follows:
          1. The protection of public health should be prioritized by expediting the distribution of vaccinations to the people as much as possible so that they can return to normal life soon;
          2. Vaccine allocation and prioritization should be done through a transparent process according to WHO guidelines with a focus on groups at high risk of severe illness and death, frontline public health personnel, including vulnerable groups such as the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, the stateless, and the informal workers;
          3. The vaccine procurement plan should be adjusted to keep up with rapidly changing disease strains to ensure that people receive the most effective preventive vaccine free of charge as well as prepare the vaccine allocation plan for booster doses;
          4. Comprehensively and thoroughly proactive testing service should be provided, especially for populations resides in risk areas such as slum communities in Bangkok and metropolitan areas, to confine the spread of disease, to advise on how to manage oneself if infected, and to provide immediate assistance;
          5. There should be measures to follow up whether people suffering from disease control measures have broadly received remedy from the state, which may include setting up convenient and easily accessible channels to receive complaints and expediting problem-solving.
          The NHRCT is well aware of the challenges faced in the administration to  protect people's rights in the COVID-19 pandemic situation and would like to support the medical and public health personnel, including those who have continuously worked hard to take care of the people’s health to the best of their ability. The NHRCT also encourages everyone facing this harsh situation. The NHRCT sincerely hopes that all sectors, public and private, and people will work together to help the country quickly get through this crisis.
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