COVID-19 and Compassion’s Work in Thailand

An in-depth look at the coronavirus pandemic in Thailand

Last Updated: 07/27/2021

The average number of COVID-19 cases per day has reached an all-time high in Thailand, at 10,020 as of July 18. The number is still rising. The country has given out over 14 million doses of the vaccine, enough to fully vaccinate nearly 11% of the population. Thailand’s vaccination campaign has been slowed due to lack of supply. Thailand has banned all public gatherings as well as expanded curfews and stay-at-home orders in more of its 77 provinces. Across Thailand, hospitals continue struggling to cope with the dramatic increase in cases.

A number of Compassion centers have begun meeting in small groups while the majority of children are being connected with through home visits. A few are limited to distance-only options in which child development center staff continue to check on families through phone calls. Staff members have been able to distribute over 165,000 food packs and over 81,400 hygiene kits to registered children and their families. Additionally, nearly 4,800 people have been provided with medical support during this season.

A Message From National Staff

How Is Compassion Currently Operating in Thailand?

Below, you will find the latest information on how Compassion is currently operating in Thailand, including status updates on center openings, letter delivery and gift delivery. This is the most current information we have, though it can change quickly. Please know that all children and their families are being checked in on regularly by staff, either in person or by phone, even if the Compassion center is not open for programming.

Are Compassion Centers Open?

Because of curfews and gathering restrictions, the majority of centers are primarily conducting home visits, with most of the remainder meeting in small groups. A few centers are limited to distance-only. Staff members from all centers continue to check on families and ensure that their needs are being met. Because of the generous support of sponsors and donors, they have been able to distribute almost over 165,000 food packs and over 81,400 hygiene kits to children and their families!

Are Children Receiving Letters?

Are Gifts Being Delivered?

Gifts continue to be distributed in Thailand. Staff members have been given the option to disburse monetary gifts to an appropriate, verified caregiver, if necessary. This applies to family gifts and child gifts (including birthday and final gifts). Families may spend the gift on whatever they consider most important to meet family needs. The caregiver will be notified whether a gift has been designated as a child gift or family gift. The caregiver will decide the best use of the money, recognizing that sometimes purchasing food or paying rent is in the best interest of a child.

Story From the Field

In Thailand, farmers were already losing income due to lockdowns caused by the pandemic, but when the second wave of COVID-19 hit, it threatened their sustainability. So, to prevent children from dropping out of school and parents from having to migrate to the city to find work, Compassion Thailand began training older children and their parents how to start a coffee farm.

Twenty-year-old Janjira, who is enrolled in Compassion’s Sponsorship Program, and her parents attended classes where they learned how to grow coffee beans, find a market and export beans to buyers. But Janjira’s income-generation training wasn’t limited to coffee farming. At the partner church, she also learned how to make soap, bake and work as a barista.

“I attended the jobs training program at the center and learned a lot about many things, especially about the coffee-making process and how to make it into to a business,” says Janjira. “I may want to have a different career in the future, but I definitely will help my family develop our coffee farm at home.”

How can I pray for Thailand?

Pray for the thousands of people diagnosed with COVID-19 daily, that they will receive the care and healing they need. For more prayer resources, visit Compassion’s COVID-19 prayer page for prayer guides and a virtual prayer wall.

How Can I Help?

Sponsor a Child in Thailand

Give to Compassion’s COVID-19 Relief Fund

Learn More >