AS Thailand shattered its record for daily coronavirus cases and fatalities again this morning (July 2) with 6,087 new infections and 61 deaths, there is a social media storm over Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and some of the ministers who accompanied him to Phuket yesterday for the launch of the sandbox scheme seen relaxing by the seaside without wearing face masks, Sanook.com said.
Today’s 6,087 Covid cases is higher than 5,533 yesterday as is the 61 fatalities higher than yesterday’s total of 57.
The Public Health Ministry added that of the new batch of cases, 5,880 emerged among the general public while 207 fell sick in prisons and detention centres.
This raised the cumulative confirmed total since the start of the pandemic to 270,921 and in the current wave that began in April 242,058.
The 61 new fatalities took the overall death toll to 2,141.
At the same time 3,638 more patients were cured taking total recoveries to 214,340.
Meanwhile Gen Prayut and his delegation went to Sirinat National Park in Phuket during his trip to the holiday island to launch the sandbox scheme. After planting some sea poison trees and releasing turtles there, they sat at a table by the seaside to have some refreshments before going to the airport to welcome tourists arriving from Singapore.
However as none of them wore face masks while resting at this table, it triggered criticism on social media today with most netizens pointing out that this was inappropriate behaviour in preventing the spread of coronavirus.
They added that even though the Prime Minister and the ministers are fully vaccinated they should maintain social distance and wear a face mask all the time.
Previously Dr. Kiattipoom Wongrachit, Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary, had advised people that everyone in the family should wear face masks at home all the time, maintain social distance and eat separately.
CAPTION:
Prime Minister Prayut and his delegation relaxing and enjoying refreshments at Sirinat National Park yesterday. Thai headlines says, “Cabinet not wearing face masks.” Photo: Sanook.com
