The government can fully contain the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus as it has stepped up its monitoring and assessment of the situation, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.
''The government has taken 100 percent control of the situation,'' said the PM in Monday's TV broadcast.
Gen Prayut said the government's precautionary measures meet international standards and the screening of international passengers is efficient. Of eight confirmed virus infection cases, five have recovered and been discharged from hospital while the rest are under close medical attention.
Other measures have also been put in place at all five major international airports in the country, as well as other channels such as borders, and ports and piers to increase the monitoring and screening of passengers arriving not only from Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, but also other high-risk areas in China, the PM said.
Meanwhile, Tana Weskosith, the deputy permanent secretary for foreign affairs, told the press that the authorities will prepare in case they need to evacuate and assist Thai people living in Wuhan whenever the Chinese government gives permission.
He said the Chinese government has yet to allow any country to send emergency teams to enter the city which is now in lockdown.
There are 64 Thai people in Wuhan, most of them are students, and 18 other Thais in other cities in Hubei province, he said, adding that the Thai embassy in Beijing has provided several channels to contact and assist them.
Mr Tana said the MFA has not received any requests from Thais to return home.
In a related development, Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, the permanement secetary for public health, said there are currently 20,000 Chinese tourists in Thailand, of which 80% are from Wuhan, who are stranded and waiting to return to their country.
