The Ministry of Public Health has introduced precautionary measures to guard against the introduction of a new virus, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV), to Thailand.
"The ministry has alerted all provinces, with emphasis on tourist hotspots, and medical centres across the country to prepare for the disease," said Public Health Minister Pradit Sintawanarong.
Five provinces would be most closely monitored - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phuket and Khon Kaen.
There have been no reported infections of MERS CoV in Thailand to date.
The Word Health Organisation reported on June 17 that a total of 64 people in nine countries in the Middle East and Europe had been confirmed infected with the MERS CoV virus, and 38 of them had died.
Mr Pradit said the virus is transmittable and the number of people infected by it is expected to increase.
Deputy Public Health Minister Narong Sahametapat said the ministry had identified three groups at risk of infection.
1. The estimated 13,000 people who will go on the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca this year. They will all be closely monitored for a month when they return to Thailand.
2. People returning home after having worked in the Middle East.
3. Tourists arriving in Thailand who have previously visited risk countries.
The virus is in the same family as the SARS virus.