The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis affecting many countries around the world. Thailand is considered to be one of the countries that have successfully implemented measures to deal with the pandemic. However, neighboring countries like Myanmar are severely facing a worrying situation as they are at risk of experiencing a second wave of COVID-19, based on the rising number of reported cases of infection. Statistics from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Management Center found that Myanmar has more than 10,000 COVID-19 patients, with an increase of more than 1,000 new cases per day, with numbers doubling at some points. Since August, the government of Myanmar has taken stringent protective measures against the virus. In Thailand, government officials continue to strictly follow disease prevention measures for travelers as well as the relevant disease prevention laws and regulations issued by the Ministry of Public Health.

Gulf Energy Development Public Company Limited recently donated 5,500 KN95 medical masks to nine hospitals on the Thai-Myanmar border, namely Phob Phra hospital, Umphang hospital, Mae Ramad hospital, and Mae Sot hospital in Tak province, Mae Sai hospital, and Ban Pha Mi sub-district health promoting hospital in Chiang Rai province, Chao Koon Paiboon hospital in Kanchanaburi province, Kra Buri hospital in Ranong province and Prachuap Khiri Khan hospital in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. These hospitals are in high risk areas and require strong preventive measures and stringent surveillance. Therefore, essential medical equipment such as surgical masks is needed to help prevent transmission and strengthen the preparedness for an effective response amidst the pandemic.