Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reassured that the Thai government will not resort to a lockdown of the entire country in the wake of the surge in COVID-19 infections, noting that provincial governors are authorized to make decisions about necessary measures in their provinces to stem the spread of the contagion.

He also urged members of the public to write to him if they have information about illegal gambling dens in their localities, so that he can take action to deal with the problem.

Most of the COVID-19 cases in the eastern province of Rayong are related to illegal gambling activities.

The prime minister was in Chon Buri province today to offer moral support to health officials and volunteers working at state quarantine and alternative state quarantine facilities.

The Disease Control Department Director-General Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn today urged people who visited five districts of Rayong province, namely Klaeng, Ban Khai, Nikhom Pattana, Muang and Ban Chang, since December 1^st to see doctor for COVID-19 tests if they have a cough, sore throat and anosmia.

He said a family of seven people, who visited Rayong together in a passenger van between December 17^th and 20^th, were found to be infected, adding that infections related to Rayong have now been reported in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Amnart Charoen, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Trat provinces.

Cluster infections related to entertainment venues in Bangkok increased by 11 today, to 33 cases so far.