Thailand Emergency Decree looks set to stay...

The emergency decree seems set to continue for another month as security authorities are still "not confident" about the Covid-19 situation after the lockdown has been easing since the beginning of this month, a military source says.

Their position was revealed as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met on Wednesday to address the Covid-19 outbreak that "wreaked havoc on people from all walks of life," said the source.

The source said that if it decides to extend the decree, military chiefs are willing to act in line with the wishes of the Government. Staunch compliance will begin, the source said, before the pandemic eases off.

Since May 17, a day that saw vast quantities of customers flocking to shopping centers, the National Security Council, National Intelligence Service and military departments have been holding a tight eye on the easing of company shutdowns.

Security agencies are concerned about the impact on public health, according to the source, unless the state of emergency continues when the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) allows more businesses and activities to reopen in June.

In this "phase 2 easing period" the government must wait at least 14 days to assess whether new lockdown easing will lead to further outbreaks of Covid-19.

Without the executive decree, the source said, the CCSA will be dissolved and the government will lack the legal tools, including shutdowns and a curfew, which it has used since 26 March to quickly contain the spread of novel coronavirus should further action be necessary.

In the view of the security authorities, regulation of the Communicable Diseases Act alone is not appropriate, because the Public Health Ministry must still exert legal authority.

This is different from the ongoing CCSA management authorized by Gen Prayut to give a "single command" integrating the work of both health and safety officials.

Secretary-General of the National Security Council Somsak Roongsita said he will call a meeting today on the enforcement of the executive decree, due to end on May 31, between security officials and representatives from the health and business sectors.

That it would rely primarily on the "real Covid-19 condition" to strictly implement the legislation, he added. The infection rates mainly one-digit a day that are currently being registered are the product of stringent steps under last month's decree, he added.