Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is asking the Thai public not to panic over the discovery of Thailand’s first confirmed case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, but to remain on their guard as he urged the unvaccinated to get their shots quickly, said Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana today (Monday)

He said the prime minister and health officials will closely monitor Omicron variant infections in the country, adding however that the government will not yet consider increased restrictions.

He also said that the prime minister has confidence in Thailand’s monitoring and screening systems, citing the quick and early detection of first Omicron case in a 33-year old American businessman, who arrived in Thailand from Spain via Dubai on November 30^th.

Meanwhile, Interior Permanent Secretary Suthipong Chulacharoen has instructed the governors of Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Satun to intensify border checks, to prevent illegal immigrants from sneaking into the country from Malaysia, where the Omicron variant is reportedly spreading.

The governors were told to get tough on human trafficking gangs and those who provide shelter to illegal immigrants, said Thanakorn, adding that they have also been instructed to intensify publicity campaigns to urge many unvaccinated people in the provinces to get inoculated.