Bangkok (VNA), Feb. 24 -- The acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) may subside in the second half of 2020 or earlier, Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan said on February 23, expecting that the country's tourism would recover after its Songkran New Year festival.

Speaking at an event in Phatthalung province, Pipat stated that the disease has had serious impact on Thailand.

"Although the virus has caused damage to the tourism industry in the first half of the year, I am confident the situation will return to normal in the second half or after the Songkran Festival, when China will likely produce a vaccine against it," he added.

According to him, when the summer comes, coronavir...