Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's deputy prime minister and minister of public health, said China and Thailand have cooperated well in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the two countries will continue to support each other in this regard.

China's Sinovac vaccine is the first COVID-19 vaccine to have entered Thailand, and has helped the Southeast Asian country kick-start its national inoculation program, with Anutin taking the first shot.

As Thailand is grappling with its worst wave of COVID-19, with its medical system being overwhelmed, the country needs a speedy vaccine rollout to control the situation.

As of July 31, China has provided Thailand with 19 batches of vaccines, according to data from the Chinese Embassy to Thailand.