Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha addressed the nation on COVDI-19 situation. He thanked related agencies and the general public for cooperation to managing the latest outbreak of COVID-19 in Samut Sakhon. He reiterated that COVID-19 remains a significant threat to the country.

Prayut said the worsening outbreak in many other countries will definitely have a negative effect on Thailand. The country must be prepared for it. The global economy will take longer time than expecetd to recover and strict measures for the screening of foreign travelers entering Thailand will be essential. Since the global situation is worsening, Thailand has to impose stricter measures.

In the coming days, the government might make further announcements, such as measures related to whether New Year activities will be allowed with strict measures or be banned outright, he said.

Prayut said he understands that businesses need to make money, but everyone can see that relaxing the measures allow COVID-19 to create even bigger economic problems.

He praised the public for their cooperation, unity and responsibilities to society.

Prayut said “We have to remember that a few reckless people, without a sense of responsibility, behave selfishly, and create trouble for millions of people.”

He asked the public to live their lives more responsibly than even before, and “please be proud that what everyone has been doing every day,  however minor, affects the whole country. Everyone has a part in putting Thailand in a better position than many other countries.”

He assured that the human trafficking networks smuggling illegal immigrants into Thailand to work will be taken care of. They will be charged with crimes, whether it involves government officials or civilians.

Prayut said it will be a long road back to normality, but he said he believes that, if everyone remains cooperative, Thailand will still be one of the countries which is least affected by COVID-19.