Thai couple face legal action for ‘putting others at risk’

Health officials have recommended that the disease control committee of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat consider taking legal action against a couple, who allegedly concealed the facts about their possible COVID-19 infection in a way which put other people at risk.

The couple flew separately from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat by Thai Lion Air on April 11th.

The 26-year old man, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, was informed by a close friend, with whom he had dinner on April 3rd, about his friend’s infection on the morning of April 11th, but he boarded the flight anyway.

On arrival at his home in Muang district by a taxi, however, he immediately went to the Maharaj Hospital for a COVID-19 test, which confirmed he was infected, and he was admitted to the hospital.

His girlfriend, also a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, tested positive for the disease on April 10th, but continued her journey by plane the next day.

Upon arrival at the airport in Nakhon Si Thammarat, she called the provincial health office to ask for someone to pick her up to be taken to the provincial hospital for treatment.

When Thai Lion Air learned about the infections, it immediately alerted passengers occupying seats 1A-3C on flight SL1780 and those in seats 7-11F on flight SL792, from Don Mueang airport to Nakhon Si Thammarat, and advised them to report to health officials in their respective areas for COVID-19 tests.

Health officials in Nakhon Si Thammarat reportedly said that the conduct of the couple amounts to concealing material facts about their health conditions, in a way which put the other people at risk, and recommended that legal action be taken against them. – ThaiPBS