BANGKOK, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's newly-established committee on COVID-19 pandemic held its first meeting on Thursday after the month-long state of emergency has been declared in Thailand.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who currently assumes the sole authority to implement measures to control COVID-19, has taken lead in the committee.
The committee comprises top officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, as well as the Ministry of Defence.
The meeting at Government House on Thursday came after the state of emergency became effective in the day.
Under the emergency decree, the prime minister is empowered to impose curfews, censor the media, disperse gatherings, as well as deploy military forces for enforcement.
In the COVID-19 meeting Thursday, Prime Minister Prayut and Chief of Defence Forces of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Gen. Pornpipat Benyasri both agreed that the committee would gradually step up measures when deemed necessary.
Prayut reiterated that the COVID-19 crisis requires coordinated efforts from all parties, and called on the media and the public to help fight fake news that may mislead people.
He also warned those who violate the new measures will have to face the toughest of the Thai law.
On Thursday, Thailand reported another 111 cases of COVID-19 infection, tallying a total of 1,045 cases.
