Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will soon decide on several crucial issues concerning the Covid-19 vaccines rollout.
Gen Prayut, as chairman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), will specifically rule on the current restrictions that bar local administrative organisations (LAOs) from ordering vaccines directly from manufacturers overseas.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda, whose department oversees LAOs nationwide, said on Monday that the CCSA should spell out whether it would allow them to acquire vaccines for themselves or whether the state must buy them on their behalf.
Gen Anupong pointed out that there were both rich and less well-off LAOs, a discrepancy that affected their ability to buy vaccines themselves.
Yesterday, he said he would meet Gen Prayut to discuss individual LAOs' stated intention to buy the alternative vaccine produced by Sinopharm from the Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA).
Gen Prayut said on Monday he did not object to lifting the State Audit Office law against LAOs buying vaccines for people in their own areas.
CRA secretary-general Dr Nithi Mahanonda said on Facebook yesterday that his academy had not held any discussions with LAOs about supplying them with the Sinopharm vaccine.
Nor did he have any intention of holding such talks, he said.
His explanation contradicted an earlier statement by a senior CRA official, who said a deal had been struck allowing the Pathum Thani provincial administrative organisation to pool its resources with other local bodies so they could order vaccines together from the academy.