Its now been just over a week since the checkpoints on entry into Pattaya City have been operating. These are my observations. The rationalle for setting up these checkpoints was to restrict the possibility of an infected person entering the city where it was assumed there was a red "hot zone" with many cases. This was coupled with the fact that the Major of Pattaya wished to keep out people from other provinces during the Songkran period. The late start of the operation meant that the efforts to stop Songkran in Pattaya was implemented too late, but in any case Pattaya is deserted and there were no Songkran incidents. The fact is that there are now very small number of infections in Pattaya, with no new cases since April 19. 

Back to the checkpoints. They are a complete waste of time and resource. I have been through from Pattaya darkside 4 times now in the residents lane 4. There are very minimal checks and they only want to see address ID and sometimes take temperature. Even in the non residents and motorbike lanes, there are few checks. I have not seen 1 vehicle refused access to Pattaya. Which raises the question, what is the point of the checkpoints?

Originally there probably was a point but now they are just going through the motions to 30 Apr

I think the main purpose of the checkpoints is the same purpose as going through all the TSA rigmarole at the airports......Its to let people know the authorities are in charge..... 

 

Like you said the checkpoints do a very poor job of fulfilling their stated purpose...