A SPOKESPERSON for the Prime Minister’s Office said today (Nov. 28) the government has set a goal to reopen checkpoints along the Thai-Malaysian border on Dec. 16 as urged by MPs so as to revive tourism, Amarin TV said.
Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy spokesperson at the Prime Minister’s Office, said the reopening of these checkpoints was considered at the meeting of Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) executive committee on Friday with the Covid-19 situation in five southern provinces, namely Songkhla, Satun. Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, being assessed.
The meeting set a goal to reopen Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla, Su-ngai Kolok checkpoint in Narathiwat, Betong checkpoint in Yala and Wang Prachan checkpoint in Satun, on Dec. 16 but the level of relaxation depends on how the situation pans out.
She added that a clearer resolution will emerge after the next CCSA executive committee meeting.
Meanwhile the Foreign Affairs Ministry has informed and coordinated with Malaysian authorities on this step which will greatly help the local economy as tourism revives.
She quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as thanking all sectors for joining forces in battling against Covid-19.
He had also said that he intends to open the southern border as a New Year gift to the people as it will lead to economic expansion and is greatly beneficial to both countries.
Meanwhile CCSA said there were 5,854 coronavirus cases and 30 deaths over 24 hours to this morning taking the cumulative confirmed total since April 1 to 2,077,950 and raising the death toll to 20,613.
Another 79,250 patients were cured, increasing total recoveries since April 1 to 1,979,430.
So far 92,125,296 doses of vaccines have been administered.
CAPTION:
Sadao checkpoint, above, and Wang Prachan checkpoint in Satun. Photos: NNT
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