The Industry Ministry announced the first batch of free washable face masks, 1 million of 10 million in total, will be sent via Thailand Post to households in Bangkok on April 8 as part of the government's strategy to stem a shortage of masks.
The ministry expects to deliver the remaining 9 million masks by May.
"We will start delivering masks on April 8 and expect people in Bangkok will receive them April 11," said Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
Mr Suriya said the government will ship 2.5 million masks every 15 days, with the goal of distributing 10 million masks in total.
"The Industry Ministry is teaming up with Thailand Post and the Interior Ministry to deliver washable facial masks to people in Bangkok using house registration," he said.
Pomprap Sattruphai and Samphan thawong will be among the first districts to receive the masks, based on their postal code.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak had previously ordered garment and textile factories in Thailand to prepare materials to make face masks to serve growing demand and overcome shortages.
According to the Interior Ministry, there are 3,050,000 households, housing 5,600,000 people, in the 50 districts of Bangkok.
"Of the 5,600,000 people that will receive the washable facial masks, there will be 1 piece per person," Mr Suriya said.
The remaining 4,400,000 masks will be distributed to neighbouring provinces, as well as provinces in the deep South like Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, he said.
The masks will also be given to public workers who are at greater risk of contracting the virus: police officers, public transit workers, Thailand Post workers and hospital staff.
The cabinet has approved a budget to buy the masks from local factories for 65 million baht. The Industry Ministry has allocated 2 million baht of its own budget.
Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said there are roughly 100 textile and garment factories in Thailand but only 50 are ready to produce the washable facial masks.
"The first 1 million washable face masks were produced by five factories initially, and capacity can increase to supply the domestic market," he said.
The FTI has vowed to support the government in overcoming shortages in Thailand.