BANGKOK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Thai health authorities on late Tuesday reported that a Thai woman who allegedly crossed the border illegally from Myanmar to Thailand was infected with COVID-19.
"The woman is a Thai national. She crossed the border illegally from Myanmar to Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province. She has been found to be infected with the coronavirus disease," said Sophon Iamsirithavorn, director of the Ministry of Public Health's Division of Communicable Diseases.
"She is the fourth case who was just diagnosed with COVID-19 after sneaking back into Thailand through a natural pass after working in Myanmar," Sophon said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said legal action will be taken against the previous three Thai females, who have tested positive for COVID-19 after illegally returning to Thailand by crossing the border from Myanmar.
"It is obvious that this fourth Thai woman who tested positive for COVID-19, will have to face the Thai law as well," said Sophon.
Anutin had earlier condemned those who dodged quarantine, saying their deeds had caused a costly effort by the government to test all people close to them to prevent the spread of the virus.
Anutin asked local health officials to prepare cases for provincial governors to take legal action against these women.
The minister also said that the Ministry of Public Health will also take separate legal action. Enditem
