Employees under Section 33 of the Social Security Act and people living in nine important provinces will be given priority vaccinations against Covid-19, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.

Prayut posted details of the government's vaccination programme on his Facebook page, a day after stopping walk-in services for Covid-19 vaccinations to prevent people flocking to the inoculation sites and becoming upset if they failed to get a jab.

Instead, the prime minister wanted a new vaccination format such as on-site registration and on Wednesday proposed this new policy. Previously, the government said the elderly and sick would get first priority. It's now unclear when they will get the vaccine.

Prayut said Section 33 workers, mainly those who work in offices, are considered important for the economy, while many now have a high risk of contracting the virus, as their work involves handling a large number of customers.

According to the Labour Ministry, there are about 11 million employees covered by Section 33.

The Covid-19 vaccination programme for these workers will start next month, he said.

Next in line to receive the vaccine after this group will be people living in nine economic provinces, he said.

However, the prime minister did not give the names of the provinces.

His U-turn on a plan to allow a walk-in services under the Covid-19 vaccination drive has provoked a furious reaction by a spokesman of the Bhumjaithai Party.