A new mobile application called Mor Chana was launched today to support ongoing COVID-19 contact tracing efforts in Thailand. The community-driven app offers a contact tracing solution that enables smartphone device users to perform self-assessment and determine the risk level of infection based on exposure and travel history. It is designed to track the spread of the novel coronavirus, prompt quick and accurate public health responses, and ensure effective and measurable social distancing measures.

      "After seeing healthcare professionals dedicating their hard work and risking their lives at the front line to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers from several public and private organizations decided to step up and offer their resources to help the public health sector with the introduction of a contact tracing app called Mor Chana," said representatives of the application development team which include Dr. Anuchit Anuchitanukul, Suttipong Kanakakorn and Asst. Prof. Natawut  Nupairoj, adding, “The core concept is to leverage smartphone technologies to disrupt the next waves of infection by notifying individuals who have come into close contact with an infected person to take necessary actions promptly while allowing medical authorities to quickly identify and isolate infected individuals to prevent further transmission.”

        The Mor Chana application is designed to identify individuals who have come into contact with COVID-19 patients using GPS and Bluetooth technology to trace their location. According to the developers, the medical authorities will be able to quickly identify the other users the confirmed case has been in close contact with, thus allowing for easier identification of potential risks and helping mitigate the spread. The app will also help prevent instances that may harm the wellbeing of medical authorities or slow down the process, particularly when patients cannot recall their contacts or deliberately hide their whereabouts.

     “For general app users who are not medical professionals, they can use the app to identify the areas at risk and adjust travel plans accordingly. Once they get notified by the app, they will be able to take the necessary action sooner, such as monitoring their own health closely for related symptoms,” the development team added.

       Mor Chana app has layers of privacy-preserving safeguards in place. All data collected is stored and displayed in an anonymous form, and users will only be asked to share these records only when contacted by the authorities as part of contact tracing investigations. The operation provided by Mor Chana strictly adheres to privacy and data protection laws. An independent committee will be established to monitor the data management process and ensure that it fully complies with privacy rules as specified in the Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562. The app will only be active during the pandemic and all logs will be deleted immediately after the COVID-19 crisis ends.

      The result analysis varies in different colors based on the risk level of each user.
In the near future when there is sufficient database, the color-based indication will be able to change on a real-time basis to immediately notify users of potential risks once a related COVID-19 case of the user is found.

      Members of the public are encouraged to download Mor Chana app and actively check-in at locations they visit in order to ensure added protection for everyone they come into contact with and healthcare professionals. Buildings and retails are also encouraged to perform the QR code scanning with their customers or visitors to create as much extensive contact tracing as possible.

      Minister of Digital Economy and Society Buddhipongse Punnakanta noted that contact tracing approach will be a key part of the country’s strategy to limit local transmission of COVID-19, and the government will be working with the public and private sectors to raise awareness of the Mor Chana application and encourage its adoption.

          “I believe we all have the responsibility to look after ourselves as well as fellow members of the society in order to overcome the COVID-19 crisis together. The Mor Chana app is an elaborate operation jointly developed by parties from across the country with a common goal to ease the work of medical authorities and ensure the safer working environment for them. This extensive contact tracing approach will play a significant role in containing the spread of COVID-19 within Thailand. Everyone can now contribute to the society by downloading it to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus and mitigate wider social and economic impacts,” said the minister.

         Mor Chana app is the result of the synergy between the ad-hoc public-private-people partnership to fight COVID-19 led by a group of independent software developers known as “Code for Public”, a group of specialists in software and data analysis known as “Chuay Kan Group”, with support from several educational institutes, hospitals, public health authorities, public and private organizations including Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok University, Burapha University, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Ministry of Public Health, the Government Big Data Institute (GBDi), the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), the Geo‑Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), CAT Telecom Plc., TOT Plc., Thailand Post, Ramathibodi Hospital, Chulalongkorn Hospital, Vajira Hospital, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society, as well as private organizations from telecom sector including AIS, dtac and True; banking and financial service sector including Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group; technology sector including Google, MFEC Plc., Blockfint Co., Ltd., Cleverse Co., Ltd., Throughwave (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Invitrace Co., Ltd., ATEN Technologies (Thailand) Company Limited, NODSTAR Co., Ltd., Artificial Intelligence Association Of Thailand (AIAT), Longdo Map, Sertis,; energy sector including Energy Absolute Plc.; automobile, logistics and construction sectors including Japan Car Accessories and Parts Co., Ltd., Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., K.Connect Worldwide (Thailand) Co., Ltd., GlobeTech Co., Ltd.; communications services and entertainment sectors including Workpoint Entertainment Plc., Rabbit Digital Group Co., Ltd., Likehouse Co., Ltd., mad Arai-D Co., Ltd., as well as media sector and independent social development group including Matichon, Nation Multimedia Group, Isranews Agency, Daily News, ASTV Manager and Sapaboon Foundation.

Mor Chana application is now available for free in App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.

QR Code for Mor Chana app