No permission from Beijing to evacuate Thais from China

China has so far not granted Thailand permission to land a plane to evacuate Thais in light of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says China is handling the situation, and the Thai government must prepare a list of Thai nationals currently in China, an assembly point and a departure table before permission is given.

“China confirmed that it can still control the virus… Flights must be approved by the destination country first… As long as the situation is under control, they are unnecessary. Otherwise, there would be a confusion of flights from other countries,”

The Thai embassy in China reports that there are no urgent requests to return to Thailand from Thais who are currently in China. The PM asked people to be calm and support officials in doing their jobs, as the government has planes on standby and the Minister of Foreign Affairs is managing the process.

Pressed on his harsh style in dealing with the media, Prayut said the government doesn’t have time to answer all the press’s questions and it isn’t necessary to publish every detail of their work.

Read our latest update on the coronavirus situation around the world HERE.

SOURCES: The Nation | The Bangkok Post