Health minister blasts illegal returnees, downplays epidemic rumours

The Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has slammed a group of Thai nationals who crossed the border from Myanmar illegally, bypassing health checks and quarantine. At least 10 Thai women employed at a hotel and entertainment complex in Myanmar have tested positive for Covid-19 since their illegal return to the Kingdom.

Thailand now has a total of 39 cases linked to the 1G1-7 Hotel in the Burmese town of Tachilek. A group of business owners in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai plan to sue the illegal returnees for 20 million baht in lost business, caused by panicked domestic tourists cancelling trips to the affected areas.

Minister Anutin says the businesses have his full support, slamming the women as selfish, immoral, and lacking any sense of responsibility. He says the authorities also plan to take legal action against the women for their behaviour. Several of the returnees travelled to other provinces, including at least 2 on domestic flights, after their illegal crossing into the country.

“They should all be sued. The government also has to take legal action against them, otherwise they will not learn.”

Meanwhile, addressing concerns that around 500 Thai nationals are rumoured to have crossed illegally from Laos, Anutin says border officials have the situation under control, adding that all Thais who want to return must do so through the correct channels. He dismisses rumours that Thailand is facing an epidemic, saying most of the Covid-19 cases are imported, and says the public should only take its information from the Department of Disease Control.

“The Public Health Ministry holds a press conference on the situation every day. Don’t listen to rumours (of an epidemic). The ministry and other government agencies are trying to fix the situation.”

SOURCE: Nation Thailand