Thailand on Wednesday reported 2,455 more confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total of cases to 137,894. (Photo: Xinhua)   

Thailand is looking for a maximum of THAB500 billion (about US$15.94 billion) in loans to support the country's response to COVID-19, a royal gazette said Tuesday, as the country strives to contain the worst outbreak.

The Ministry of Finance will be authorized to borrow up to THAB500 billion to fund economic and social COVID-19 relief measures, according to the royal gazette. The new debt, raised as loans or via sales of other securities, has to be wrapped up by September 2022, it said.

It did not give a breakdown of how the money will be used.

According to a proposal made by Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith last week at a cabinet meeting, THAB30 billion will be used for purchase of medicine, vaccines, medical equipment and treatment of COVID-19 patients, THAB300 billion for reducing the cost of living of people affected by the pandemic, while THAB170 billion targeted at the recovery of economy and the society by promoting employment, investment and consumption.

Xinhua