Inside Chulalongkorn University’s Pioneering Lab Efforts

WHO Thailand | Thailand - 2020

Work: Photography coverage

At the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chulalongkorn University’s Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Science Centre played a critical role in Thailand’s scientific response. As one of the first laboratories in the country to detect and study the novel coronavirus, the center advanced both diagnostic capabilities and research on viral origins, including bat-related surveillance work. This field documentation captures the quiet intensity of researchers at work — handling viral samples, conducting genetic sequencing, and contributing to national and global understanding of the virus. The lab’s early action, in coordination with WHO and health authorities, helped Thailand respond swiftly and effectively in the face of an emerging threat.