Thai PM defends decision to extend state of emergency till June end

A security officer enforces social distancing rules at a commuter train station at rush hour in Bangkok on May 25, 2020, as Thais continued their return to work following the relaxing of restrictions to halt the spread of Covid-19.- AFP

BANGKOK (Xinhua): Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday (May 26) he feared a second wave of Covid-19 infections will emerge if the emergency decree ends with Thais becoming less vigilant and letting their guard down, after the Cabinet meeting approved the extension of the emergency until the end of June.

"It will be a complete waste of time and energy and effort we put in trying to contain the pandemic, ” said Prayut, adding that currently Thailand is witnessing only single digit new cases of Covid-19 as a result of stringent measures to contain the outbreak.