BANGKOK, Jan 5 (Reuters) – A new round of restrictions in Thailand aimed at containing a fresh wave of coronavirus infections will likely derail the economy’s nascent recovery from its 2020 slump.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha urged the public on Monday to stay home and avoid travel after authorities closed a series of venues – from schools to bars – and restricted business hours in Bangkok and some other provinces this month.
Thailand had largely controlled the virus by mid-2020 but a cluster linked to migrant workers in December has led to infections in more than half of its provinces.
Economists worry the latest outbreak will hurt retail spending and deal another blow to Thailand’s key tourism industry, both central to the government’s 1.9 trillion baht ($63.57 billion) stimulus efforts to reignite growth.
“It’s very tough….
