Nearly 15,000 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Thailand on Friday, a new daily record.
The number of new infections in the country has stayed above 10,000 on recent days.
On July 12, the Thai government introduced measures to contain the virus, including a nighttime curfew in the capital, Bangkok, and the surrounding areas. Travel between provinces has also been restricted.
But the measures have not been enough to stop infections from spreading.
On Friday, officials reported a new daily record of 14,575 cases.
That prompted the government to further restrict people’s movements and close public facilities, such as parks and libraries, in Bangkok and other areas starting Friday. Barbers shops and beauty salons have also been required to close.
A woman working for a beauty shop said she is dissatisfied with the government’s sluggish policy and response to the pandemic. She said she sees no prospect that the situation will improve.
The government has been criticized on social media for what many say is its slowness in acquiring vaccines.
Thai police on Thursday fined an 18-year-old female singer 2,000 baht, or about 60 dollars, for allegedly defaming Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
This has fueled public criticism that the government is depriving people of their freedom of expression.
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