16 Sep 2021
Quick transformation from industrial to medical facilities for COVID-19 care in Thailand
Thailand, one of Southeast Asia’s more developed economies, has been equally affected by the Delta strain during this COVID-19 pandemic. Our Thai Industrial business, Thailand’s leading industrial property developer and wholly owned subsidiary of Frasers Property (Thailand), wanted to contribute and do its part for the community during this difficult period. With soaring new infections, the business has found a way forward to speedily transform two distinct industrial sites into medical facilities staffed with medical workers and infrastructure. In total, 739 beds in Rayong and Ayutthaya provinces are now operational and serving patients.
Our first project in August, partnering with Amata Corporation PCL in Rayong, converted a ready-to-use factory building into a COVID-19 community isolation centre. Rayong is part of Thailand’s coastal facing Eastern Economic Corridor (ECC) that is intended to provide a hub for technological manufacturing and services. The area provides strong connectivity to ASEAN with land, sea and air transportation links. The ECC is served by Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi with U-Tapao Airport in Rayong.
Tasked with supporting COVID-19 patients with mild or no symptoms, the new facility was speedily transformed in accordance with the Department of Disease Control’s requirements. It includes a full setup of medical equipment with further support from other local organisations, testament to the strong collaboration by businesses and government for society. This facility is fully managed by the Pluak Daeng Hospital Pluak Daeng District.
Following the launch of the Rayong isolation centre, a further request by local officials from another industrial region, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, came through for a field hospital facility. Hand-in-hand with Rojana Industrial Park Public Co., Limited, a new 430-bed facility is now online and serving as a care centre for those critically ill with COVID-19, after receiving its first patient on 31 August.
More than just medical assistance, other critical support including utilities, food and necessities were kitted out in this temporary facility supported by related government authorities and the private sector. These included the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) providing electrical transformers and electrical control cabinets, while the CAT Telecom Public Company Limited provided specialised communication systems for the project. Not forgetting, the Thai Beverage Public Company Limited’s donation of drinking water.
Our Chief Executive Officer of Frasers Property Industrial (Thailand), Mr Sopon Racharaksa, who was present at both handover ceremonies had this to share: “During this challenging time, everyone in society must do their part to support one another. Despite the rapid conversion of two facilities for COVID-19 sufferers, I believe there is still more we can contribute. Let’s remember that many who remain well, have fallen to more challenging economic circumstances. They too, deserve our attention and care. We hope to do more with like-minded partners and the government of Thailand, to help us get through this national crisis.”