Representatives of Thai tour guides gather to extend moral support to virus-hit China in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

The Chinese embassy says China's government and people wish to express their gratitude and appreciation for Thailand's assistance and support in battling the coronavirus.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, the embassy said that China was also grateful that Their Majesties the King and Queen had sent medical supplies, including face masks, and medicines to China.

China appreciated all the help, gestures of goodwill and moral support the Thai government and Thais have given as it combats the coronavirus, the embassy said, adding that Chinese authorities have attached importance to working with Thailand to deal with the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha posted on Facebook that he has ordered the Interior Ministry, the Commerce Ministry, the Bangkok governor and provincial governors to closely monitor and punish those who hoard face masks and hand sanitisers or who price gouge.

On Tuesday, the cabinet made face masks and hand sanitisers price-controlled products in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak and nationwide air pollution.

Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said military medical agencies such as the army's medical department and Phramongkutklao Hospital will distribute 45,000 face masks at 18 crowded locations in Bangkok such as Victory Monument, Pratunam, Silom Road and Chatuchak Market until tomorrow.









On Thursday, the Public Health Ministry announced it was distributing one million surgical masks to people in need. More masks need to be produced and made available to prevent hoarding, the ministry said.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) would provide the one million masks to the ministry which would take care of distribution.

However, although all masks will be given out for free, anyone who can afford them should buy them, he said.

The ministry on Thursday invited related agencies and mask-making companies to discuss ways to prevent a surgical mask shortage in the market and price hikes.

Mr Anutin said the authorities were working to bring the supply of masks in the market to pre-coronavirus levels.

In a related development, four of the 138 Thai returnees from Wuhan province in China who developed high fevers and were under close monitoring have recovered, but one still requires treatment for a lung disorder.

RAdm Kerdsak Weerayothin, director of Queen Sirikit Hospital in Chon Buri province, said on Thursday that four returnees had been admitted with a fever, coughs and diarrhoea and their symptoms had now subsided.

Initial tests did not find any coronavirus infection. The tests would be repeated for confirmation, he said.

The other 134 returnees are under quarantine at Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri.

Dr Tanarak Plipat, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said the number of infections detected in Thailand remained at 25. Nine people had been discharged from hospital.

Nevertheless, the number of patients being monitored for infection had risen to 595, he added.

Source: Johns Hopkins CSSE