42 Thais On Flight Returning From Jakarta Test Positive For COVID-19

Passengers had attended religious ceremonies in Indonesia



Image adapted from Kanoknual MCOT

42 Thai passengers out of the 76 on a flight from Jakarta, Indonesia were tested positive for COVID-19 on 8th April. 

They had been returning from attending religious ceremonies, and 52 passengers in total were showing symptoms of a fever on the day of return.


24 passengers were denied before take off


As reported by Khaosod, 100 Thais were reported to have taken Thai Lion Air’s charter flight from Jakarta to Hat Yai International Airport on 6th April. However, 24 passengers were denied to board as they were showing symptoms of COVID-19 .

After landing in Hat Yai International Airport, all remaining passengers were quarantined, with 52 passengers showing signs of fever.

22 of the returnees were sent to Southern Lak Muang Stadium in Songkhla for quarantining – this included 11 suspected cases, 10 who tested positive, and 1 who was clear of the virus.

7 returnees were sent to Seangtham Vittaya School in Narathiwat province, Jakarta Post reports. Of those who were screened, 5 were suspected cases while 2 passengers were confirmed to be infected.

Their samples were taken and a total of 42 passengers were confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19. They are now receiving hospital treatment.


Crew members and pilots showed no symptoms


In addition, there were 35 crew members and pilots on the flight, but none of them had any symptoms. All the remaining passengers and crew members on board now are on state quarantine as ordered by the government. The crew members have been quarantined in a hotel in Hat Yai.

Thailand’s total number of cases stands at 2,423, with 54 new cases and 2 new deaths reported today.


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