Thailand’s Department of Disease Control is recruiting Chinese-language interpreters to help interview tourists arriving at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-tapao international airports from risk areas.
Government deputy spokeswoman Ms. Traisulee Traisoranakul said today (Sunday) that the interpreters will work closely with officials from the Department of Disease Control in screening arriving Chinese tourists, to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Thailand.
She assured that the interpreters will be provided with protective gear, such as N95 face masks and PPE gowns, and taught how to use them properly to protect themselves adding, however, that interviews with tourists will normally be conducted over an intercom, except in exceptional circumstances.
Working hours are divided into two shifts of 12 hours, from 8am to 8pm and from 8pm to 8am. Sometimes, the interpreters will be required to work in other provinces.
Applicants for work as an interpreter must be 20-45 years old and have some basic health knowledge and understanding of some medical terminology. The wage is 5,000 baht a day or 400-600 baht per hour.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovations has issued an announcement aimed at preventing the possible spread of coronavirus in Thailand by Chinese students returning from China to study.
There are many Chinese students studying at Thai universities, and many have returned to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese New Year festival. The ministry has instructed the universities to inform their Chinese students to delay their return to Thailand, by at least two weeks, citing the fact that it will take 2-3 days for people infected with the virus to show symptoms.
Airports of Thailand Company (AOT) has also arranged facilities to accommodate Chinese tourists stranded in Thailand, after Chinese airlines suspended flights between Thailand and several Chinese cities.
