Health authorities are boosting their vigilance as fears over the spread of the deadly Ebola virus escalate.
Public health permanent secretary Narong Sahametapat said the ministry has stepped up safety measures nationwide after a British tourist died in Phuket on Thursday after arriving from Nigeria, even though the man's body later tested negative for Ebola.
Mr Narong was speaking yesterday after meeting officials.
Although the tourist did not have Ebola, Mr Narong said, disinfection and waste management, dealing with dead bodies, and the forensic process need to be improved.
A safety manual will also be produced and given out nationwide to people who as part of their work make physical contact with potential patients, including police officers, rescue teams, and forensics teams, he said.
A total of 27 people in contact with the dead Briton will be kept under close surveillance for Ebola infection until Nov 12, he said, adding the room where the tourist stayed in Phuket has been disinfected.
Regional public health officials have been told to monitor people arriving from foreign countries closely for signs of Ebola infection, said Wachira Penchan, deputy public health permanent secretary.
Mr Wachira said the ministry will alert officials at the 15 regional public health offices nationwide to keep a close watch on tourists arriving in Thailand via air, water and land transport.
Sophon Mekthon, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said tourists arriving from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are being put under surveillance for 21 days.
He said none have tested positive for Ebola so far.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) yesterday set up checkpoints to screen passengers arriving in Bangkok through Don Mueang International Airport and Khlong Toey Port.
BMA officials have been told to work with public health officials to monitor tourists travelling from the three countries to the capital closely, BMA spokesman Threedow Abhaiwongs said.