Thread by @SaksithCNA

LIVE-THREAD: Thai PM @prayutofficial is scheduled to hold a televised address this evening at 6pm BK following the national anthem.

Follow along for live updates of the speech.

PM @prayutofficial: “With the rapid progress of the vaccination program, I would like to update on the roadmap ahead of our recovery from #COVID19.”

Prayut: “We have made fast progress negotiations with #COVID19 vaccine suppliers. Now we have 6 incl. Pfizer, Johnson&Johnson, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Sinopharm. We have reserved 105.5 mil doses. We plan to give 10 million shots per month from July.”

Prayut: “We must look ahead. (…) Therefore I’m setting goal to reopen the country within 120 days! Fully vaccinated arrivals should be able to come to Thailand without quarantine!”

Prayut: “We’re piloting the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ model to prepare for the reopening within 120 days. (…) I know this comes with risks. There’ll be an increase of infections. But this is a calculated risk.”

Prayut: “As our vaccination program progresses, my next task is to try to get Thailand back to operating normally as soon as possible. We must learn to live with this virus as it is not going away quickly. We can’t wait for everyone to be fully vaccinated and then re-open.”

Prayut: “To be able to reopen the country in 120 days (…) we must get the first vaccine shot to as many people as quickly as possible. In the long term, we will establish our own vaccine production.”

Prayut: “Singapore and Taiwan say their biggest challenge is to buy from abroad. And they, like us, have decided to manufacture their own vaccines. Ours is the best long-term solution.”

Prayut: “I know there are risks but this is the right direction for Thailand. Ensuring the rollout of such a massive vaccination program within only a few months is a truly historic mission that is unprecedented. Not everything is going to plan, I ask for understanding.”

Prayut: “I send my encouragement to all tirelessly working over a year. Health workers have poured their hearts into this, far beyond just doing their jobs out of a sincere desire to help their fellow citizens protect lives. Thank you.” (END)