The government's mantra of not letting one's guard down will lose its spell if authorities fail to manage the transition to normalcy with utmost care.
The Centre for the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) keeps warning people to wear a mask in public, wash their hands often and maintain social distancing even though the country has been free from local community transmission for more than a month.
Health authorities and prominent doctors also repeated calls for the public not to feel complacent.
A second-wave of infections remains a possibility as the pandemic is still spreading in many countries around the world, they warned.
All the hard work and hardship that health personnel and members of the public underwent during the past few months of battling the outbreak will go to waste if we have to return to extreme measures again, doctors said.
It is understandable why health authorities are trying to raise the alarm.
The more relaxed atmosphere after most lockdown measures were lifted has led many to discard preventive measures.
Some public facilities or restaurants have done away with a requirement for customers to check in on the Thai Chana track and trace platform.
Most people can still be seen wearing face masks in public but physical distancing seems to have been reduced.
In this case, the CCSA and health authorities are correct to keep up their caution and tell people not to drop their guard.
The centre will have to tread carefully when it comes to further easing of restrictive measures including the reopening of borders and the quarantine requirement.
A case in point is a visit today by the United States army chief of staff. The six-member delegation led by Gen James McConville is the first group of foreigners to officially visit Thailand after the ban on inbound international flights was lifted.
Under a special arrangement, the US delegation will be exempted from a 14-day quarantine for the two-day trip.
The guests will observe other anti-Covid-19 measures as stipulated by the CCSA, however.
These include that the members must have certificates showing negative coronavirus tests from the source and destination countries; the host units in Thailand must assign liaison officers to accompany them; they must adhere to the itinerary and may not go to public places or use public transport.
That the delegation from the US, where the rate of Covid-19 infections is the highest in the world, was allowed to bypass quarantining has raised concern among the public.
Activist Srisuwan Janya even called on the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the CCSA for allegedly extending preferential treatment to the US group. The centre, meanwhile, argued that a 14-day quarantine is not possible for the short trip.
It also maintained the group must test negative for Covid-19 twice before they are allowed to enter the country.
It is possible the precautions for the US delegation will become standard for official visits in the future. Since the visit is being watched closely, the CCSA must ensure the measures are adequate and will be applied consistently in the future.