Thailand uses drones for border surveillance as virus risk grows

A Patrouille de France officer patrols with a drone at the cross-border with Spain in southwestern France, on Nov 13. Currently, Thailand is deploying drones and UV cameras along its border with Myanmar. — Raymond Roig/AFP

Thailand is stepping up border surveillance by deploying drones and ultraviolet cameras after dozens of new Covid-19 cases were found linked to a town in neighbouring Myanmar.

At least 16 people who illegally crossed the borders and avoided the mandatory 14-day quarantine have tested positive for coronavirus since late November with two local transmissions being traced back to the group that came from Myanmar, according to officials. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha ordered officials on Dec 7 to erect barricades along the porous border to stop illegal crossings and curb infection risks.