Officials arrest 37 illegal Myanmar migrants in Sai Yok district of Kanchanaburi early on August 28 (Photo: https://www.bangkokpost.com/)Bangkok (VNA) – The Interior Ministry of Thailand on August 28 asked thegovernors of the 10 provinces bordering Myanmar to tighten security along theborder to prevent illegal immigration because of the increasing number ofCOVID-19 cases in the neighbouring country.
According to Thailand’s Centre forCOVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) of the Thai Government, a new surge of COVID-19 cases been reported inMyanmar, where 580 more patients have been confirmed since August 16, most in Sittwe– the capital of Rakhine state, which borders Bangladesh and the Bay of Bengal.
Permanent secretary of the ministry Chatchai Phromlert said he had issued theorders to the governors of Tak, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son,Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Chumphon andRanong, to block illegal migration through natural border crossings and enforcedisease control measures on visitors at official crossings.
He urged officials to strictly adhere to the CCSA's disease preventionmeasures.
On the same day, deputy army chief Natthapon Nakpanich, chairman of the CCSA'spanel on the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, said long-term foreign residentsand foreigners with permanent residences in Thailand stranded overseas willreceive priority when seeking to return to Thailand.
They will still be subject to a 14-day-quarantine.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Singapore have discussed the possibility of reopeningtravel for businesses as they are opening up the countries.
The Singaporean Foreign Ministry said the issue of business travel easing wasdiscussed in a video conference between Thai permanent secretary for foreignaffairs Busaya Mathelin and her Singapore partner, Chee Wee Kiong, on August26./.
VNA
