PM plans to self-isolate for 14 days after Phuket visit

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has gone into self-quarantine for 14 days instead of seven days after a business leader he was photographed with in Phuket tested positive for Covid-19 on his return home to Surin, according to a Government House spokesman.

The prime minister posed with Veerasak Pisanuwong, chairman of the Surin Chamber of Commerce, while in Phuket for the so-called Sandbox opening last Thursday.

Mr Veerasak tested positive after he returned to Surin. It was reported earlier that Gen Prayut would go into quarantine for seven days but he has now decided to double the period, according to the spokesman.

The spokesman said on Monday that the prime minister had entered one week of isolation at his home.

The spokesman said yesterday the prime minister is now in 14 days of selfquarantine in compliance with Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) rules for at-risk people.

Gen Prayut would work from his home inside the 1st Infantry Regiment headquarters in Phaya Thai district.

During the 14 days, he would hold meetings via video conference and send instructions via telephone and the Line app.

After completing his quarantine, he would be tested for Covid-19 before returning to work at Government House.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the government was considering organising nationwide merit-making events to boost people’s spirits amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The events are likely to be broadcast online, he said.