Thailand extends State of Emergency for another two months

Thailand’s State of Emergency was extended for another two months. The decree, which was first invoked by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in March 2020, gives the government sweeping powers, through the establishment of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, to set restrictions and measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Thailand.

The decree was last set to expire on January 31. It has been extended numerous times due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The government has discussed ending the State of Emergency, but an end to a decree would mean an end to the CCSA. The Covid-19 task force has been responsible for setting disease control measures, including entry schemes like the Test & Go quarantine exemption scheme.

As an alternative to the decree, the government has discussed amending the Communicable Disease Act for a more long term approach to manage the Covid-19 situation in Thailand and transition the CCSA into another government body once the decree is lifted.