BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered serious suppression of all those involved in migrant-smuggling networks, including corrupt officials, Thai News Agency reported.
Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanit said the prime minister, who is also the defence minister, laid the orders in a meeting of the Defence Council.
He wants personnel of all armed forces to effectively patrol border areas to stop migrant smuggling by land and sea, and also ordered the arrest of smugglers.
“The prime minister has assigned the police to form a special committee to identify migrant smugglers, even if they are government officials at any level. No one will be spared.
"Police and administrative officials will set up checkpoints to block the transport of illegal migrants to inner areas of the country. Besides, officials have been ordered to inspect entertainment places to ensure that operators comply with measures of the Public Health Ministry,” Kongcheep said.
In addition, the prime minister has ordered the army and navy to provide resources for the establishment of a field hospital with 1,000 beds in the Samut Sakhon province to treat Covid-19 patients. – Bernama, December 24, 2020
