The government's plan to reopen the country in 120 days may prove to be overly ambitious if vaccinations fall short and new Covid-19 variants emerge, says the Rural Doctor Society.
On its Facebook page, the society expressed scepticism about the government's 120-day goal being met, saying Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was trying to communicate a message of hope that may not be realistic.
Gen Prayut on Wednesday said the kingdom should be fully reopened within 120 days, with businesses able to resume normal operations and visitors free to travel across the country.
The doctors' society suggested the prime minister's comment was part of a political game. Some believe that with a mass vaccination scheme underway, Gen Prayut could dissolve parliament and call for a snap election.
Rural doctors said the government's move to set a reopening target would divert public attention from the vaccine supply issue. People had expected tourism and businesses to reopen after the New Year, it added.
Gen Prayut has moved that forward by two months, citing the government's target of administering the first of two doses of the vaccine to 60% of the population by October, which coincides with the 120-day deadline.
However, the society said the government has not spelt out how it will implement its reopening plan. "We haven't seen the plan," it said. "No one has."
The key to a successful reopening plan rests with the government's ability to contain the spread of the virus and keep major outbreaks from occurring from October onwards, the society said.
Major outbreaks are caused largely by not having enough vaccine doses available and the emergence of new coronavirus strains, it said.
One key factor would be whether the 10 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses promised can be consistently delivered.
"We will keep our fingers crossed," the society said, noting the government was purchasing 28 million more Sinovac vaccine doses and accelerating imports of Pfizer's vaccine for students.
It added that existing vaccines might not be fully effective in raising people's immunity against coronavirus new strains. Border areas must be secured to keep variants out, it said.
Gen Prayut said on his Facebook page yesterday that government agencies and officials are working hard to meet the reopening target.
He said he was aware of potential problems with the arrival of vaccine doses and the emergence of new strains. "But we need full cooperation from all sides so we can reach the finishing line together," he said.
Kanok Wongtra-ngan, deputy Democrat Party leader, commended Gen Prayut for his leadership in launching the 120-day reopening deadline.
He said the government should offer soft loans to struggling small businesses.
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