“The Steering Committee for Malaria Elimination set a strategy to eradicate malaria within 10 years with the total budget of Bt2.2 billion. In 2017, the first batch of Bt599 million – some Bt211 million from a World Health Organisation donation, which would be the last grant due to Thailand being elevated recently to a high-income country status – will be allocated first,” Narong said.

Disease Control Department chief Dr Amnuay Gajeena, meanwhile, said there was no Zika virus outbreak here, despite reports of several infections since early this year. He said officials were able to control the situation, through strict measures and working with foreign organisations on the matter.