Thailand to extend emergency decree until end of August: official
[BANGKOK] Thailand will extend a state of emergency until the end of August, a senior official said on Wednesday, maintaining the security measure put in place to contain its coronavirus outbreak.
The announcement comes after nearly two months without local transmission and with many people in Thailand questioning the need for an emergency decree.
"It is still necessary to have the decree because we are opening up the country for more business meetings and tourism to stimulate the economy," said Somsak Roongsita, secretary-general of the National Security Council, adding that doctors had requested it be maintained.
The extension comes after a weekend where political protests took place against the government, in defiance of a ban on gatherings.
The secretary-general however, said the emergency decree would be used only to contain virus outbreaks and not rallies.
REUTERS
A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU
Asean Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Vietnam tycoon appeals against US$27 billion fraud death sentence
US announces new restrictions on firearm exports
Central banks will probably only cut half as much as they hiked
US consumer sentiment falls as inflation expectations climb
HSBC wins £1.3 billion suit over Disney film finance scandal
WTO countries to reboot dispute reform negotiations