The government's plan to reopen the country within the next 120 days is practical, insists Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha.
He told a parliamentary meeting yesterday the government aimed to contain Covid-19 by vaccinating at least 70% of Thais in line with its plan to procure 100 million vaccine doses.
The pledge by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reopen the country in 120 days was a move to boost public morale, Mr Sathit said, adding that an action plan would be drawn up and issued ahead of the reopening.
"I am confident the government and the prime minister will be able to bring the pandemic under control," he said.
"However, disease control and vaccinations cannot be achieved by the government alone.
"People must also cooperate to prevent new clusters. We need to work together so we can reopen the country within the timeline."
He said the procurement of vaccines was going to plan, even though there had been problems with distribution.
However, he expected more vaccine imports to arrive next month and said that would help boost distribution in the provinces.
Sathit: Backs reopening plan
Gen Prayut said during a live TV broadcast on Wednesday that a speedy reopening of the country was an important way to ease the immense economic hardship inflicted by the pandemic.
Fully vaccinated visitors to Thailand will be able to enter the country without quarantine or any other restrictions, while fully vaccinated Thais would also be able to return home after travelling abroad without having to be quarantined, said Gen Prayut.
Businesses would be allowed to resume normal operations when blanket restrictions on them and domestic travel are lifted. even though the PM admitted the decision came with some risk because the reopening might cause a spike in infections.
Deputy Democrat Party leader Alongkorn Ponlaboot, who is also an adviser to the agriculture and cooperatives minister, said Gen Prayut had to be brave to steer the country forward and at the same time be ready to manage the risks.
If the lockdown were prolonged further, people would experience more hardship and more businesses would close, he said, adding: "The decision to announce a D-day for the reopening has set a goal to achieve and created hope."
Meanwhile, Nonthadet Buranasittthiporn, a representative of the Night Entertainment Venue Operators' Confederation, handed a letter to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai, asking him to relay their plight to the government.
Mr Nonthadet said the group wanted it to lift a closure order on night entertainment venues and allow them to reopen from July 1.
Disease control measures would remain in place. The should also be allowed to sell alcohol on their premises.
Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri , meanwhile, had good news for the elderly and those suffering from the seven chronic diseases that qualified them for rapid jabs but whose appointments on the Mor Prom app in Bangkok had been postponed.
Mr Anucha said they could now book their vaccinations at Bang Sue Grand Station by calling 02-792-2333.