A cargo warehouse at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport was converted into a 1,800-bed field hospital for Covid-19 patients, Reuters reported.

It added that the facility will be used for patients with less severe symptoms.

Rienthong Nanna, director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, said that if the conditions of the patients deteriorate, they will be moved out to another field hospital.

"This is a level 1+ field hospital where it can receive a large number of patients, who have less severe symptoms," he said.

"But if patients' conditions deteriorate, they will be moved to our other field hospital called Pitak Rachan (Protect the King) Field Hospital."

Train cabins used as wards

Separately, authorities in Bangkok are also planning to convert 15 disused railway carriages into a 240-bed isolation ward for Covid-19 patients, Reuters reported.

Similar to the field hospital, it will be used for patients with less severe symptoms. It will also serve as an isolation centre for patients who are on hospital waiting lists.

These carriages will be ready for use by Friday, Jul. 30.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Tuesday (Jul. 23) that some modifications need to be made to the carriages for them to function as an isolation ward.

"Some modifications are still to be done such as removing the top bunk beds, installing window nets, as well as water and electricity systems," the BMA said as reported by Reuters.

"More toilets and bathrooms will be built outside the carriages," they added.

Record high daily cases and deaths

Thailand reported yet another record daily high of Covid-19 cases this morning (Jul. 29).

The country's Public Health Ministry said that over the past 24 hours, there were  17,669 new cases and 165 fatalities, Bangkok Post reported.

Since the start of the pandemic, Thailand has reported a total of 561,030 Covid-19 cases and 4,562 deaths. 

Top image by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images