850 million baht budget approved to deal with A (H1N1) crisis

Pattaya has had few infections due to local schools taking precautions, people washing their hands frequently and those with symptoms staying home when they have fever and flu symptoms.

Public Health Deputy Minister Manit Noppamornbodhi revealed that the 650 million baht budget would be spent on 2 million doses (325 baht per dose) of H1N1 vaccine. The vaccines will be given to health officials and at-risk patients first. The rest of the 200 million baht will be spent on 10 million antiviral Oseltamivir tablets to be distributed to all hospitals nationwide.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva addressed this issue on television Channel 11 at 8.30 pm on July 14 in order to brief the public regarding the status of the H1N1 pandemic in Thailand, which is predominant in Bangkok and has not yet affected the Eastern provinces, including Pattaya as much.

The main objective is to create better understanding in all Thais regarding the issue itself as well as current viral situation, the Prime Minister said. Because the flu is a viral infection antibiotics are of no use. It is recommended to rest, drink plenty of fluids, take a fever reducer and monitor body temperature. The flu usually lasts three days. Oseltamivir tablets are considered helpful.

 Deputy Education Minister Chaiwat Bannawatra said that the Cabinet announced that any students who contract the new virus and their parents are allowed to stay home for self-quarantine. Any missing days of parents and children will not be considered as an absence.

He continued to add that relevant ministries like the Minister of Labor would cooperate with private organizations to allow the suspected employees, as well as parents of the infected employees and students to leave their job without showing medical certificates.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Thai- Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA) Mr. Sitthiwat Cheewarattananaporn has recently revealed that a number of Chinese tourists have cancelled their traveling plans to Thailand for fear of catching the A (H1N1) virus.

Therefore, Mr. Cheewarattananaporn urged the government to report the situation of H1N1 outbreak in the country carefully because the released figures of the infected cases by other people who are not involved are inflated and exaggerated terrifying potential tourists and causing them to reconsider their traveling plans to Thailand.

He said, “Many tourists feel insecure traveling abroad as well as to Thailand. This causes Thailand tourism to be almost paralyzed. The exaggerated information was widely presented throughout the country and became scary for people. The relevant government organizations should, therefore, discuss this matter with all media regarding news reports.”