Thailand to extend state of emergency to July 31 despite easing of lockdown

Thailand will extend its state of emergency for a the third time until July 31.- Reuters

BANGKOK (The Straits Times/ANN): Thailand will extend its state of emergency, in place since late March, by another month to July 31, a government spokesman said on Monday (June 29). This is the third extension and comes despite there being no local cases reported in over a month and the easing of lockdown measures proceeding as planned.

"The emergency decree is essential in keeping control of the movements in and outside of the kingdom in the way the Communicable Diseases Act cannot," said Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) that is chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.