Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Tuesday criticized large businesses and wholesalers for allowing people to panic buy alcohol at their stores.
The government allowed six types of businesses and venues to reopen following a month of lockdown on Sunday. The alcohol ban was also lifted on the same day.
“I would like to reprimand the panic buying of alcohol,” he said after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Prayut said there should be a per person quota for alcohol sales.
“I do not want to see such scramble anymore and I am urging the private sector to follow the government’s guideline or else they will shut down again,” he warned.
He also mentioned that the number of customers inside department and retail stores should be limited.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam commented on Tuesday morning that stores which do not adhere to the new health and safety measures could be ordered to shut down within 1-3 days of violation.
Some stores in Bangkok are already shut down because they failed to follow official guidelines.
Economic measures
The prime minster said the government’s economic recovery plan is based on the assumption that the economy will be affected by the coronavirus outbreak for at least another six to nine months.
He said more measures to help SMEs gain access to loans is forthcoming.
SMEs asked the government to provide more guarantee for their loans as commercial banks are still reluctant.
The new rehabilitation plan for Thai International Airways (THAI) was not discussed at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The plan could involve a bailout loan worth 50 billion baht.
“I have given them five years to fix their problems and it is still unsuccessful so this is the last time for them to reach the government’s targets,” Prayut said.
