BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) – The newly-established committee
on Covid-19 pandemic held the first meeting on Thursday after the month-long
state of emergency has been declared in Thailand.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who now assumes the sole
authority to implement measures to control the coronavirus is leading the
committee which comprises of top officials of the ministries of interior,
public health, foreign affairs and commerce as well as the supreme commander of
the armed forces.
The meeting at Government House came after the 2005 State of
Emergency has been enacted and became effective on Thursday.
Under the Decree, the prime minister has the authority to
utilize measures including imposing curfews, censoring the media, dispersing
gatherings and allowing deployment of military forces for enforcement.
However Prayut and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
General Pornpipat Benyasri have said the committee would gradually step up
measures when deemed necessary.
Prayut reiterated the Covid-19 crisis required coordinated
efforts and strict law enforcement to handle, therefore, he decided to declare
the state of emergency.
He called on the media and the public to help fight fake
news that misled the public as the state officials were putting in much effort
to control the outbreak. (TNA)
