Thousands of Thais stranded in neighbouring Malaysia are expected to return to the kingdom once the border opens on Saturday, according to the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC).
Rear Admiral Somkiat Phonprayun, secretary-general of the SBPAC, on Tuesday said more than 8,000 people are set to return, including those who registered online and in-person at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur and those checked by volunteers.
Rear Adm Somkiat said reports of more than 100,000 Thais expected to flood the southern border were rumours already dismissed by the Interior Ministry.
Malaysia began imposing its nationwide "movement control order" on March 18, a day after it reported its first fatality from the novel coronavirus disease. The measure included the temporary closure of the border with Thailand.
Lieutenant General Phonsak Poonsawat, the Fourth Army commander, said 300 people will be allowed to cross into Thailand once the border with Malaysia reopens.
Lt Gen Phonsak said the SBPAC was working together with southern provinces in advance to prepare for the expected mass influx from Malaysia, adding returning citizens will need to undergo the Covid-19 quarantine programme.
Virus screening teams have been deployed to all southern provinces, he added.
Wiranan Phengchan, governor of Satun province, said the provinces of Satun, Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla border Malaysia and the number of returnees could be capped at 100.
Mr Wiranan said even though returning citizens will be screened in Malaysia, they will be placed under quarantine in Thailand to make certain that virus carriers do not infect others.
Satun has yet to report any Covid-19 cases, he said, noting 18 people who had tested positive for the coronavirus were non-residents and part of a group of 26 returnees from Indonesia.
Mr Wiranan said Satun authorities now plan to separate returnees in provincial resident and non-provincial resident quarantine facilities.
In other news, Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, on Tuesday said 135 Thais in South Korea were expected to return last night and would be placed under quarantine for 14 days. Thailand reported 34 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 2,613 cases.
