#Thailand’s embattled minister for tourism and sports has painted a rosy picture for the future regarding the Covid-19 virus outbreak.

As other countries were hunkering down and cities were being sealed off Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said he expects everything will be much better for Thailand by Songkran – mid April.

He told Thai Rath after a meeting in the south that the virus does not like hot weather and along with other countries entering summer its impact will lessen.

Plus he expected his Chinese friends to have come up with a vaccine by then.

“We’ll be back to normal within half a year,” he said. “After Songkran the worst will be behind us”.

Pipat pointed to Thailand’s brilliant response to the virus crisis and the kingdom’s renowned health facilities, respected and appreciated across the globe.

Thai Rath reported 38.9 million tourists visited Thailand last year after fast development of the tourism sector in recent years made the industry worth 18% of Gross Domestic Product.

The minister had hoped that this would rise to 20% of GDP this year – until the virus came along to spoil the party.

Still, everything would be fine soon, he said, after giving out sport and exercise awards at the Roi Thong Resort in Phattalung.

“The virus can’t survive long in hot weather”.

Songkran is usually the hottest time of the year in many parts of Thailand.

The minister also had good news for vendors, hoteliers, retailers and traders especially in tourist areas. Government measures and budgets sought by his ministry would be revealed to help everyone in the coming week.

Pipat’s comments come as international news media reported dire warnings and events related to the Covid-19 virus especially in Italy and South Korea where whole communities and cities were being cordoned off and where some streets were deserted. – Thai Rath

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