The move comes after Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed concern over a surge of Covid-19 cases in neighbouring countries and said the Army had an important duty to support the government in containing the virus, said Sirichan, speaking after an urgent meeting presided over by Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong.

"Since the Army has a responsibility to protect natural borders across the country, the Army chief instructed military officers from area commands and Special Warfare Command to establish a special force to closely monitor border areas," she said.

She added that the prime minister had also emphasised that Thailand was still at risk despite having effectively contained the spread of Covid-19.

Army musters border troops to stop illegal migrants importing virus

The Army will send a force to the border to prevent foreign workers illegally entering the country and triggering a second wave of Covid-19, Army deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong announced on Friday.