PM assures Thailand is safe from SARS <br>

Bangkok, Dec. 18, (TNA): Thailand is safe from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), as the country has been aware and prepared for the recurrence of the deadly flu, according to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Thai leader told reporters here this morning that Thailand had gained experiences from the previous SARS epidemic earlier this year, and had been aware and prepared for the recurrence of the new deadly pneumonia.

Therefore, he beleived the kingdom would be safe from SARS.

"Thailand was even safe from SARS in its previous spread in the region earlier this year, as we cooperated closely with the World Health Organizations and strictly followed WHO's suggestions on SARS prevention. We've gained experiences from that. So, don't be worried, we'll safe from SARS again, given the government's awareness and preparations for the possible recurrence of the deadly flu", he stressed.

Premier Thaksin's remarks were in response to questions on the government's measures to cope with the feared deadly flu in the kingdom following the discovery of a new SARS case in Taiwan early this week.

A Taiwanese researcher was infected with SARS after returning from a seminar in Singapore early this month.

Public health officials in Taiwan later said the army researcher was infected with SARS during his work in a laboratory, and has quarantined himself since then; so, the recurred deadly flu had yet been spread out to others.

In Singapore, authorities have quarantined 70 people having contacted with the Taiwanese researcher over the past four years as a precautious move, but have said that there have been no signs of the recurrence of SARS in the island state so far, according to local T.V. news reports.