Thailand must take virus fight abroad

Thailand must take virus fight abroad

Migrant workers from Myanmar queue up at the border checkpoint in Mae Sot, Tak. Uncertainty still reigns over the number of Covid-19 cases in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, which share borders with Thailand. (Post Today photo)
Migrant workers from Myanmar queue up at the border checkpoint in Mae Sot, Tak. Uncertainty still reigns over the number of Covid-19 cases in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, which share borders with Thailand. (Post Today photo)

As the new virus known as Covid-19 spreads throughout the world, the headlines are focused on China, Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea. Beyond Thailand, Southeast Asia rarely gets a mention, even though our region is struggling to contain the deadly disease, too.

In recent weeks, it has become obvious that Thailand's neighbours have also been hit by the virus, yet there are still no real or comprehensive reports of these outbreaks.

The situation in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (CLM) is admittedly difficult to gauge, as access to information and officials is rather limited. Yet the absence of regular reports and assessments could in the long run impact social and economic development in these countries and the wider region. At present, uncertainty still reigns over the number of Covid-19 cases in CLM, not to mention the level of preparedness and preventive health capacity in the three countries.

Given the sizeable Thai public health system and its unique local voluntary medical networks, the country should be able to reach out to these three neighbours and their migrant workers.

Further afield, Vietnam has a developed public health system which is capable of coping with the current spread. In fact, Thailand and Vietnam have scheduled a joint cabinet meeting in Hanoi in May that will prioritise public health issues.

Obviously, if the Thai government wants to reach out to the CLM countries, it will require smart planning and resource sharing at this critical juncture. Currently, more than 2.3 million registered Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are already benefiting from widely available free medical care.

Meanwhile the government's efforts -- despite shortcomings and complaints over the scarcity of medical masks, hand sanitiser and speed of testing -- have proved effective in containing and combating the spread of Covid-19.

As of the weekend, the number of Covid-19 cases recorded in Thailand was 50, with 31 having recovered and returned home. A total of 15 patients remained in hospital, while one has died.

Thailand shares a 5,656-kilometre border with four countries -- 2,401km with Myanmar, 1,810km with Laos, 798km with Cambodia and 647km with Malaysia. Visitors from these neighbouring countries can cross the border at 85 checkpoints, both permanent and temporary, around the frontier.

The border abutting Myanmar and Laos comprises altogether 22 border provinces, and could be problematic since it has the largest number of crossings, at 65 out of the total 85. In addition, there are currently 87,000 displaced people from Myanmar living in nine camps along the border that need special attention.

In the past three years, Thailand's border management has improved thanks to better coordination and data collection. More personnel and financial resources have been allocated to ensure that national sovereignty and security are well protected.

Under the previous administration, this was a top priority for the policy of turning Thailand into a connectivity hub. However, the focus has so far been on transnational criminals exploiting the porous borders with Myanmar and Laos to traffic drugs and people.

Local authorities fear that visitors who pass through these temporary checkpoints may be avoiding medical scrutiny at the border. It has been suggested in certain quarters that some should be shut, particularly those in remote areas, until the virus has been contained.

It is imperative that the Thai provincial authorities are given full authority and the resources to cope with the influx of new visitors. For instance, at the permanent checkpoints in Chiang Rai, Tak and Ranong, local officials must make sure that all Myanmar citizens entering the country are screened.

Very little information regarding Covid-19 is coming out from Laos. Judging from reports by immigration offices in bordering Nong Khai and Mukdahan, the situation is still under control and there has been no unseasonal influx of visitors from Laos. However, near the so-called Golden Triangle, more visitors from Laos are crossing to Thailand in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district. As of the weekend, no cases of the virus had been reported in Laos, according to the Lao News Agency.

Nevertheless, authorities in the 12 provinces bordering Laos have expressed concern that arrivals may increase in coming days, with immigrants seeking jobs, business or other opportunities.

The case of the Thai-Cambodian border is less complicated as there are fewer migrant workers from Thailand's eastern neighbour than from Myanmar. Most are seasonal, and return home after they finish their work. However, health resources in the border provinces of Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri and Surin are wearing thin.

Rubbing salt into the economic wound, the upcoming traditional New Year celebrations have been cancelled across the region due to fear of contagion.

Some of these countries are likely to lose significant revenue as the celebrations have long been the No.1 tourist attraction of the year. Sluggish economic growth throughout the region can thus be expected.

At the regional level, Thailand can also fight the virus with an existing regional framework -- the action plans (2019-2023) of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs). Thailand can take the lead in combating the outbreak by prioritising health through the smart and sustainable Acmecs scheme. The Acmecs Fund is already available, fuelled by contributions from members and development partners. Bangkok has already allocated US$200 million for the fund.

Meanwhile Thailand can also look to the Asean framework.

Ten days after the Covid-19 outbreak was discovered in Wuhan, China, Asean foreign ministers held a video conference and issued a nine-point action plan calling for better coordination and cooperation among public health units within Asean.

Obviously, sharing information and experience is also a top priority among members.

The Asean action plan would support Thailand's outreach efforts as it would automatically link all regional health mechanisms and units, beyond the CLM, to work together to combat this and other common diseases.

Kavi Chongkittavorn

A veteran journalist on regional affairs

Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs

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