Thailand today praised the Malaysian government's approach in handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The message was conveyed by Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan o-cha to Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin via a telephone call today.

A government spokeswoman, Narumon Pinyosinwat said Prayuth called his counterpart for the first time after Muhyiddin took office as Malaysia's eighth Prime Minister, at 3.30 pm (local time) today.

In the conversation, she said Prayuth congratulated his counterpart and praised him over the good management in handling COVID-19 in Malaysia, which recorded a total of 8,338 cumulative infection cases with 118 deaths.

"Prayuth said Malaysia's approach in implementing Movement Control Order (MCO) is vital in reducing infection in the country," she said in a statement here today.

Prayuth also thanked the Malaysian government for facilitating Thais working in Malaysia and assured that the Thai government would assist in sending Malaysians in the kingdom back via various channels.

"Thailand will continue the collaboration between the countries in all dimensions especially in tackling COVID-19 pandemic along the borders and assisting labour repatriation," said Narumon.

In the short telephone conversation, Prayuth also invited Muhyiddin to Thailand at the appropriate time to boost bilateral ties between the two countries.

-- BERNAMA