BANGKOK, July 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Thailand permanently closed its operational unit on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and lifted SARS screening measures at the border checkpoints and airports Wednesday, the state-run Channel 9 reported.

　　Thai Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said that the permanent closure of the SARS unit followed the World Health Organization's withdrawal of Taiwan from its list of areas being at risk of the new deadly pneumonia.

　　Thailand would also stop its strict SARS checks on in-bound tourists visiting the country by land, sea and air, she noted.

　　However, the Ministry of Public Health will continue to keep its close watch on SARS over the next one year to ensure people's safety and Thailand's SARS free status, the minister stressed. Enditem