The Labour Minister showed concern for the Thai interpreter at the Labour Office in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), who has contributed to helping Thai workers overseas for more than 20 years. He sent words of encouragement for a speedy recovery from the Covid-19 infection.
Labour Minister Mr. Suchart Chomklin showed concern for the interpreter at the Labour Office in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), who became ill from a Covid-19 infection. The matter was reported by Commander Lieutenant Vittavat Koodprasert, Minister Counselor (on Labour), in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) on July 16, 2020. He said that the interpreter went out to work at the Saudi Immigration Bureau in Riyadh, to coordinate and help a Thai person who was ill with diabetes and residing illegally, to return to Thailand on July 24, 2020, at the request of Royal Embassy in Riyadh. The request was successful. Then, on July 21, 2020, at approximately 16.00 hours local time, the interpreter reported that he had a sore throat, headache, and fever-like symptoms. Commander Lieutenant Vittavat, therefore, ordered a doctor’s appointment at Al Hammadi Hospital for examination and detection of Covid-19. The interpreter was confirmed to be infected with Covid-19. They were still able to drive, so he took his two sons for examination and later learned that the youngest son was also infected. Therefore, he was quarantined as required by the Ministry of Health of Riyadh. On July 25, 2020, the interpreter’s condition did not improve, whereby he had symptoms of acute exhaustion and shortness of breath. He was sent to King Fahac Medical City Hospital where the results were found to be low in oxygen and pneumonia.
Commander Lieutenant Vittavat, Minister Counselor (on Labour) from the Labour Office in Riyadh, reported that between August 1-4, 2020, the interpreter was still conscious, but could only speak a little due fatigue. He was still able to send messages via Line to everyone that he knows and share his symptoms. He was receiving oxygen for 4 hours a day in an upside-down position. On August 5, 2020, the interpreter sent a Line message informing that the test was positive and that his respiratory system was not good. After that, there were no more messages until the Royal Thai Embassy and the Riyadh Labour Office began following up with the hospital. It was later found that the symptoms of the interpreter were very worrisome, to the extent that he needed to be on a ventilator all the time and required a concentrated amount of oxygen. In addition, sleeping pills must be given so that the patient can rest. They remain in the ICU.
In terms of assistance, the Labour Office in Riyadh has followed up on the illness and has taken care of the interpreter’s family. Currently, this interpreter is 51 years old and is a Thai-Muslim. His hometown is in Bangkok and his wife lives in Bangkok, whereas his two sons are in Riyadh. This interpreter has worked in the Labour Office for more than 20 years and has helped Thai workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Lebanon.
“The interpreter became infected with the virus because he went to work to help the sick Thai people return home, which was a success. It caused him to be seriously ill. I would like everyone to help each other to help him get better and get well soon from Covid-19,” said Mr. Suchart.
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Division of Public Relations
13 August 2020
