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The emergency decree gives Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha full command of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to prevent and combat the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Thailand has increased security nationwide for the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival on October 31. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan stressed the need to strengthen security measures amid ongoing protests in many provinces. According to the plan, security measures will be applied at piers along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok and at locations where people release floating lanterns during the festival.
The Covid-19 epidemic situation in Thailand remains complicated and unpredictable.
Patrol boats will be deployed on the Chao Phraya River. Maritime offices will coordinate with the Royal Thai Navy to ensure security in Thai provinces during the festival. People are required to wear masks in public, as social distancing will certainly be difficult to enforce during the festival.
Loy Krathong festival is held annually on the full moon night of the 12th lunar month according to the Thai Buddhist calendar, this year it is October 31st.
During this festival, the Kingdom of Thailand becomes brilliant and sparkling with paper lanterns lighting up the night sky and flower lanterns covering the rivers. Thai people release krathong (flower lanterns) on the rivers and khomloi (paper lanterns) into the night sky and pray for good luck. The Loy Krathong festival is most vibrant in four provinces and cities: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai.
