A coffin maker described the surge in orders during the Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand.

Shop owner Anuson Yungyue said they used to make between 50 to 100 coffins per month but orders have doubled leading to longer waiting times in Bangkok.

He said: ‘We have been operating for 40 years but in the last few years, the sales had dropped because of the economy.

‘At that time, relatives could make orders for a coffin and have the finished product the same day. However, today they have to wait longer because of the long queue of orders.

‘We used to make between 50 and 100 coffins per month for customers but today the number is more than double.’

Anuson added that when the pandemic started in March last year, he began doing Covid-19 volunteer work but the number of people messaging for help grew during this year’s surge.

The workshop manager said: ‘I also do covid volunteer work. Before there used to be only one or two people messaging for help but today there are more than 30 asking for their family members.

‘Sometimes there are even people dying from Covid-19 at home and their family are asking for help. I will continue to help the people, and for some who don’t have money they can just contact me and I will give the coffin for free.’

Thailand has been dealing with its worst outbreak of infections after cases flared up in April this year. The highest daily total was more than 23,000.

Ministers have relaxed lockdown measures and hope that a vaccination roll-out will allow the country to re-open in October, with tourists arriving shortly after.

More than 10 million people, or 14 per cent of the population, have so far received two doses of vaccines from various companies.