Jonathan Fairfield

Thailand to close malls as coronavirus cases jump

 

A Royal Thai Army soldier sanitizes in the city due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand announced it will close malls in the capital Bangkok as the country reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154851-malls-and-markets-in-bangkok-ordered-to-close-until-12-april/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-15189452

Thailand to close malls as coronavirus cases jump

 

A Royal Thai Army soldier sanitizes in the city due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand announced it will close malls in the capital Bangkok as the country reported its largest daily increase in coronavirus infections on Saturday.

 

Malls, except for supermarkets, will be closed for 22 days beginning March 22 to April 12 in a bid to curb the outbreak of the coronavirus, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said in a statement.

 

"For malls, only the areas that sell food and goods that are used in daily life, will be open,” Aswin said in a Facebook live broadcast.

 

Long queues and crowds of shoppers were seen at a grocery store in downtown Bangkok with their carts full of dried goods, food and medicine.

 

The governor asked the public not to panic and hoard goods.

 

“Please don’t be alarmed, I guarantee that you will be able to buy food and goods sufficiently,” he said.

 

Restaurants will be open for takeout orders and pharmacies will also remain open. The measures come as Thailand reported 89 new cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing its tally to 411, with the majority of cases in Bangkok.

 

The new cases were linked to earlier infections from a boxing match, an entertainment complex and a religious gathering in neighbouring Malaysia, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman, said.

 

Boxing stadiums, beauty salons and arcades were also included in the closure announcement.

 

Those found violating the order face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.

 

Bangkok will also extend the closure of schools and bars for another 22 days.

 

Budget airlines also began suspending service.

 

Thai AirAsia is temporarily suspending its international flights from March 22 to April 25.

 

Thai Lion Air on Friday said it would suspend international and domestic flights from March 25 to April 30.

 

Of the patients infected, 366 are currently being treated, while 44 have recovered.

 

Thailand has reported one death in the outbreak.

 

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panu Wongcha-um; editing by Jane Wardell)

 

Majority of people back shutdown of country to tackle Covid-19: poll

 

 

The majority of people in the country are in favour of shutting the country down in order to stop Covid-19 from spreading, a recent poll showed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154873-majority-of-people-back-shutdown-of-country-to-tackle-covid-19-poll/

 

Majority of people back shutdown of country to tackle Covid-19: poll

 

 

The majority of people in the country are in favour of shutting the country down in order to stop Covid-19 from spreading, a recent poll showed.

 

The NIDA Poll by the National Institute of Development Administration was conducted on March 18 and 19, with 1,257 respondents aged 18 and older.

 

According to the poll, 67.38 per cent of people agreed with the idea of a shutdown.

 

About 18.22 per cent quite agreed with the idea, saying high-risk countries have mostly shutdown and Thailand should also shut itself down, in order to prevent the virus spreading.

 

Some 5.5 per cent disagreed with the idea of a shutdown, as it would affect the economy, tourism and international relations. Some of them also said that the Covid-19 situation was not severe and doctors could control it.

 

Some 7.80 per cent said there must be a better way than shutting down. However, some of them specified that the government should close only crowded cities, and shut places with high density of population, such as entertainment venues and theatres.

 

Around 1 per cent had no opinion.

 

In addition, 33.26 per cent of respondents agreed with the idea of shutting down provinces, 20.92 per cent quite agreed, 19.89 quite disagreed, 24.18 per cent totally disagreed, and 1.75 per cent did not have an opinion.

 

Furthermore, 79 per cent of samples agreed to close bars and other entertainment venues nationwide, 14.08 per cent quite agreed, 3.82 quite disagreed, 2.23 per cent totally disagreed, and 0.87 per cent did not offer an opinion.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384571

 

Songkhla bars foreigners from use of border crossings

 

 

Songkhla province has prohibited the arrival and departure of foreigners through the permanent crossings in the province, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154872-songkhla-bars-foreigners-from-use-of-border-crossings/

 

Songkhla bars foreigners from use of border crossings

 

 

Songkhla province has prohibited the arrival and departure of foreigners through the permanent crossings in the province, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

 

The order came into effect on Saturday (March 21) until the virus situation is resolved.

 

However, the province will allow vehicles to transport goods across the border. The vehicles must be from Malaysia, and have only one driver. Besides, the driver must be checked for Covid-19 infection at the three-permanent crossings in Songkhla: Sadao, Padang Besar and Banprakob.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384573

 

Big Cleaning activities against COVID-19 take place nationwide

 

 

THAILAND (NNT) - Provinces across Thailand have carried out Big Cleaning activities to disinfect public areas, in an effort to protect people from possible exposure to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154871-big-cleaning-activities-against-covid-19-take-place-nationwide/

 

Big Cleaning activities against COVID-19 take place nationwide

 

 

THAILAND (NNT) - Provinces across Thailand have carried out Big Cleaning activities to disinfect public areas, in an effort to protect people from possible exposure to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

 

In Chiang Mai, Mae Hiya Municipality workers sprayed disinfectant at Goodview Village, a popular tourist destination of Hang Dong district now closed as part of the order to close public venues for 14 days.

 

In the southern district of Hat Yai in Songkhla, local people from different groups cooperated in cleaning the city’s central business district and also sprayed disinfectant at its municipal sports stadium to bolster confidence in public health.

 

Officials of Pathum Thani meanwhile, sprayed disinfectant around the province’s different government offices while also promoting information on self-protection among members of the public, emphasizing distancing from others and the wearing of masks.

 

At Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan temple, a popular tourism site in Sing Buri, the Big Cleaning activity included disinfection as well as the implementation of prevention measures, such as requiring visitors to wear masks and to maintain a distance of one to two meters from others. Alcohol gels have also been provided so visitors may clean their hands regularly.

 

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG200321111921435

 

 

More border crossings closed

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of the Interior has acted on an order from Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, to close border checkpoints by ending special trade posts and restricting permanent border crossings to only one per province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154778-border-provinces-asked-to-close-or-limit-access/?tab=comments#comment-15189207

 

More border crossings closed

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of the Interior has acted on an order from Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, to close border checkpoints by ending special trade posts and restricting permanent border crossings to only one per province.

 

The Ministry of the Interior has circulated an urgent memorandum to the governors of border provinces concerning the control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The memo temporarily shuts down special trade posts, and restricts border crossings to only one per province. Crossings are to be properly manned in the interests of screening travelers.

 

People entering and exiting the nation at the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge crossing point in Nong Khai province have significantly dropped in number despite other crossings being suspended from March 20 to April 20. Those using the checkpoint must request a visa from the Laotian embassy in Bangkok or its office in Khon Kaen province as crossing cards will no longer be applicable from March 20, 2020.

 

Immigration officers have stepped up checks and screenings of border travelers using a thermal scanner in light of the COVID-19 situation.

 

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s decision to close its natural crossings and ferry piers has left docks along the Moei River on the Thai side noticeably quiet. Officials are nonetheless maintaining screenings at the entry point.

 

The Governor of Tak, Ansit Samphantharat, has ordered the first Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge to be closed, with only the second to be in operation to undertake screenings.

 

Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news/detail/TCATG200321113656443

 

Sanitation drive across the island to combat COVID-19 spread

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

One of the teams at the ready. Photo: Cherng Talay Tambon administrative office (OrBorTor)

 

PHUKET: Today (Mar 21) witnessed a series of sanitation initiatives island wide as part of a health drive to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana led the push with the help of administrative officers and transport officers at the old Phuket bus terminal in Phuket Town and Chalong Pier.

 

The Phuket government have a total of 51 officers enlisted to carry out the sanitation efforts, 71 pieces of protective clothing, 24 sprayers and around 1,300 liters of sanitiser.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/sanitation-drive-across-the-island-to-combat-covid-19-spread-75376.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Phuket

 

The news came via a table released by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) this morning (Mar 21).

 

PHUKET: Two new cases of people being infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus in Phuket have been announced by officials, bringing the total number of people on the island confirmed as infected to seven.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154862-two-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-phuket/

 

Two new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Phuket

 

The news came via a table released by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) this morning (Mar 21).

 

PHUKET: Two new cases of people being infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus in Phuket have been announced by officials, bringing the total number of people on the island confirmed as infected to seven.

 

The total number of people in Phuket to have been found infected with the virus as of yesterday was five, after Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana was forced to publicly admit the infection of a family of three Danish tourists on holiday in Phuket.

 

The Danish family remain in hospital receiving treatment.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/two-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-phuket-75375.php

 

 

 

Satun shuts two border checkpoints with Malaysia to stop Covid-19 threat

 

 

Satun has closed two border checkpoints with Malaysia from 8pm on March 20, province governor Weeranant Phenchan said on Saturday (March 21).

 

“Tammalang and Lipe Island checkpoints that lead to Langkawi, Malaysia, are now closed, leaving only Wangprachan checkpoint in Kuandone district still open,” he said.

 

“We have employed immigration and medical staff at Wangprachan checkpoint 24/7 to screen entrants from Malaysia. However, we do not expect many travellers since Malaysia had announced closure of its borders since March 18,” he added.

 

 

The governor added that Satun is the only province in the southern region that still has no case of Covid-19 infection. “Satun is closest to Perlis, one of the states with a high infection rate in Malaysia,” he said. “Therefore, I decided to close two border checkpoints as a precaution until further notice, or until the Covid-19 situation improves.”

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384565

 

 

 

32 of 89 new cases connected to boxing event

 

 

The confirmation of 89 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday (March 21) has taken the total number of infections in Thailand over the 400 mark.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154825-thailand-reports-89-new-coronavirus-cases-in-highest-daily-jump/page/6/?tab=comments#comment-15189036

 

32 of 89 new cases connected to boxing event

 

 

The confirmation of 89 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday (March 21) has taken the total number of infections in Thailand over the 400 mark.

 

The virus toll on Saturday stood at 411, with 366 under treatment, 44 recovered and one death.

 

The 89 cases on Saturday can be divided into two groups. The first group of 51 are connected to cluster cases -- 32 people had attended a boxing event in a stadium, two had been to entertainment venues, six had attended religious ceremonies and 11 had had close contact with others previously confirmed as infected.

 

The second group comprises 38 people of whom 12 had just travelled back from overseas (half are Thai and the other half foreigners), six had been working in crowded venues such as markets, restaurants and vehicle drivers, and 20 are awaiting investigation.

 

The department also reported that of those under treatment, four have recently become critical, bringing the total number of patients in a critical state to seven. They were being treated at Siriraj, Rajavithi and private hospitals.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384569

 

Malls and markets in Bangkok ordered to close until 12 April

 

 

Shopping malls and markets in Bangkok have been ordered to close from Sunday 22 March.

 

Only supermarkets and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open.

 

All other shops must remain closed until 12 April.

 

Restaurants can only offer a takeaway service, while restaurants in hotels are only allowed to serve food to guests.

 

The announcement was made by Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Saturday.

 

Mr Aswin stressed that supermarkets will remain open so there was no need to panic buy.

 

Businesses which must remain closed include:

 

• Health spas
• Movie theatres
• Bars
• Weight-loss clinics
• Waxing salons
• Skating or rollerblading rinks
• Beauty salons
• Amusement parks, bowling alleys, arcades
• Internet/gaming cafes
• Golf courses, driving ranges
• Public swimming pools
• Tattoo parlours
• Child care/babysitting centres
• Care services for the elderly
• Buddhist amulet markets
• Cockfighting arenas
• Meeting and exhibition venues
• Fresh markets
• Child care and education centres
• All educational institutes

 

Mall food courts can remain open but most only offer food to take away.

 

Meanwhile, the private sector has been urged, where possible, to allow all employees to work from home. People are also encouraged to avoid travelling into populated areas and using services such as the BTS and MRT.

 

The news comes as Thailand on Saturday announced 89 new cases of coronavirus infections, the largest jump in cases in a single day, bringing the number of cases to more than 400.

 

Source: Sanook

 

 

Over a million in tourism industry could lose jobs if Covid-19 crisis continues

 

 

More than a million people in the tourism industry could lose their jobs with estimated loss of Bt1 trillion if the Covid-19 pandemic continues, Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) president Chairat Trirattanajarasporn said.

 

“We estimate that around 25-30 per cent of tourism employees or 1-1.2 million people will be laid off, while up to 3 million will have their salaries cut or be offered unpaid leave until the situation improves,” he added.

 

Chairat further added that one of the major obstacles for tourism operators is that they cannot access financial support provided by the government. “The Cabinet recently approved low-interest loans or soft loans totalling Bt150 billion with each operator allowed a maximum amount of Bt20 million. However, all banks that we have contacted say they have not received the budget yet.”

 

“We would like the government to follow up on this measure and approve the budget as soon as possible, since tourism operators are in a dire situation and in urgent need of loans,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, the president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), Wichit Prakobkosul, said that tourism entrepreneurs have appealed to creditor banks to extend the repayment period for 6-12 months and reduce the interest by 50 per cent. “Entrepreneurs need these measures to stay afloat amid the Covid-19 situation,” he said. “However, it has been more than two months since we submitted appeals but the banks are still silent.”

 

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that TAT will discuss with Government Savings Bank and Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation to lessen the criteria for soft loans of Bt15 billion to make sure that tourism operators, who are mostly small and medium-sized enterprises, can get them.

 

“We are aware of the problems in the tourism industry and will use every possible measure to prevent entrepreneurs from laying off people, as spike in unemployment could lead to increased non-performing loans,” he said.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384562

 

 

 

VIDEO: British Ambassador on what Brits need to know about the COVID-19 situation in Thailand

 

 

HMA Brian Davidson speaks to British tourists and residents in Thailand on what they need to know about the COVID-19 situation in Thailand.

????Check out the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand's requirement for airline passengers entering Thailand: https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/48689

????Please follow our Travel Advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/ and refer to the guidance from the Thai Ministry of Public Health https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php. Please be aware that due to the high volume of enquiries we are not able to respond to all individual questions at this time.

????If you have consular enquiries please contact us at https://www.contact-embassy.service.gov.uk/…

????If you’re in Thailand and you need urgent help, call +66(0)2 305 8333. If you’re in the UK and worried about a British national in Thailand, call 020 7008 1500.

Your post isn't clear but if you are in Thailand and your visa is about to expire, go and visit your nearest immigration office and they will likely give you a 30 day extension due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. 

 

 

Covid-19: Most of Thailand’s land borders now closed

 

Image: Mae Sot border file photo

 

Thai media reported that Thailand's hand was largely being forced by authorities in bordering countries closing their frontiers in response to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154778-border-provinces-asked-to-close-or-limit-access/?tab=comments#comment-15186850

 

Covid-19: Most of Thailand’s land borders now closed

 

Image: Mae Sot border file photo

 

Thai media reported that Thailand's hand was largely being forced by authorities in bordering countries closing their frontiers in response to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Malaysia, Laos and Myanmar have all introduced restrictions of one kind or another and links between Thailand and Cambodia are becoming increasingly scrutinized.

 

Provincial governors of border crossings nationwide have been given special powers to close borders, with only one land border crossing per province permitted to stay open. 

 

In Chiang Rai only a main international crossing to both Laos and Myanmar was available for travellers, while the Mae Sot border will remain open.

 

Channel 7  said that foreigners visiting Laos would have to apply for a visa in Bangkok from March 20th to April 20th, while the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge 1 in Nong Khai was a restricted point.

 

People moving between Thailand and Cambodia at Had Lek, Klong Yai, Trat were facing strict screening measures.

 

In Sa Kaeo, only the Aranyaprathet border crossing remains open.

 

In Kanchanaburi, the Phu Nam Ron border was also closed, as was the Sinkhorn checkpoint in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

 

In Ranong, the border with Ko Song (commonly referred to as the Andaman Club) was also closed after the provincial governor raised concerns that gamblers returning from the casino located at the club could increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading in the province.  

 

In southern Thailand, many of the border checkpoints were closed after the Malaysian government ordered border closures earlier this week.

 

Source: Channel 7

 

Tourist seen applying his saliva all over BTS lift

 

 

Another Asian tourist’s reckless, caught-on-camera behaviour in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak has Thais livid online.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154681-tourist-seen-applying-his-saliva-all-over-bts-lift/

 

Tourist seen applying his saliva all over BTS lift

 

 

Another Asian tourist’s reckless, caught-on-camera behaviour in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak has Thais livid online.

 

Video circulating on social media of the man applying his saliva all over the walls and buttons of an elevator at a Bangkok Skytrain station drew intense criticism and demands for an arrest and forced testing.

 

He also repeatedly touching his groin area and pressed his hand against the button panel.

 

The incident, which occurred sometime after 5am on Friday (March 20), follows another in which a Chinese tourist was video-recorded spitting inside public transportation in the capital.

 

The BTS said a security officer at the National Stadium Station attempted to apprehend the offender from the lift but he managed to escape.

 

It said the lift was sanitised soon after the incident and guards at every station have been ordered to watch for unruly behaviour.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30384515