Public anger grows over coronavirus in Thailand, with eight cases of the illness

A woman wearing a protective mask is seen at a counter arranging transport for Chinese tourists arriving at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, Thailand, January 26, 2020. REUTERS/Matthew Tostevin

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The health minister in Thailand, the country with the most confirmed cases outside China of the new coronavirus, called an emergency meeting on Sunday with the transport and tourism ministries amid rising public discontent over the government's handling of the illness.

"We can control the situation and are confident in our ability to handle the crisis," Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters. The number of cases of the disease in Thailand rose on Sunday to eight.