Existing debt measures and debt restructuring for borrowers hurt by the COVOD-19 pandemic can still cope with the fresh outbreak, which began in a province near Bangkok, Vireka Suntapuntu, senior director at the Bank of Thailand (BOT), told a news briefing.

"Since this is just the beginning and the situation remains highly uncertain, the impact on debtors can't be assessed yet," she said.

But the BOT will monitor the situation and work with banks on any measures deemed useful for borrowers, while asking lenders to help their debtors hit by the spread, she said.

"Targeted measures will still be more appropriate and useful in the long term than broad-based ones as previously," Vireka said.

Most debtors who had previously applied for financial assistance can service their debt after a general debt holiday ended in October, she said.

($1 = 30.17 baht)

(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by)