The director-general of the Department of Medical Services is backing the proposal to reopen the country to revitalise the economy.

Dr Somsak Akksilp said that not only was Thailand well prepared for a second wave of Covid-19 but that maintaining zero local infections was an unrealistic target since it was still not known when a vaccine would become available.

"We cannot afford to maintain zero cases forever," Dr Somsak said. "We need to reopen the country. The country must move forward and people have jobs to do.

"This means we may have to see a small number of infections but if we work together to prevent them, the country will be able to achieve a balance between public health and the economy."



He said the Public Health Ministry wanted to reassure the public that the medical system was well-equipped to detect and control the disease.

Dr Somsak said 2,000 beds were already available across the country for Covid-19 patients. Bangkok could treat up to 400 patients per day and the rest of the country 1,000-1,700 patients per day, he said.

"We won the first round because of the trust between the people and doctors. We believe we will get through this," Dr Somsak continued

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) said that it had enough supplies of face masks, N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a second wave of Covid-19 -- and more could now be produced locally.


The Department of Disease Control (DDC) said it had about 1,000 rapid investigation teams and planned to triple the number.

The aim was to control any further waves of infections within three to four weeks, reduce the death rate to below 1.4% and increase each province's ability to deal with Covid-19, the department said.



Phuket had been preparing to receive its first group of tourists from China who were expected to arrive this week under the Special Tourist Visa (STV) scheme aimed at supporting Thailand's economic recovery.

A group of 120 Chinese tourists and businessmen were due to arrive in Thailand on Thursday, but their trip has been delayed.

Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Yuthasak Supasorn confirmed that STV scheme will proceed as planned, though it might be delayed due to paperwork.

He confirmed the tourists will be able to come to Thailand by the end of this month.

It's part of the conditions of the STV that they had to pay first, Mr Yuthasak said.

There's no need for refunds because their trips are not cancelled, they are only delayed, he said.