TAT would like to remind all of you to stay safe through this difficult time, prepare for the time when travel and tourism returns, and we can all enjoy the amazing Thai travel experiences with our beloved family and friends.
Bangkok, Thailand, 2020-Apr-24 — /Travel PR News/ — The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to inform international and domestic tourists that the number of new Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Thailand continued to show a downward trend, with 13 new cases today, as a result of the intensive measures being implemented across the nation.
Over the last few days, Thailand saw under 20 new COVID-19 cases daily. For today, 23 April, 2020, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported 13 new cases bringing the total to 2,839, and one new death adding the toll to 50. Thus far, the number of recovered cases has totalled 2,430 and the number of patients still receiving medical treatment dropped to 359.
A total of 51 provinces have reported no new infections in the last 14-28 days:
- 10 provinces continue to remain free of the virus: Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Chai Nat, Kamphaeng Phet, Nan, Phichit, Ranong, Satun, Sing Buri, and Trat.
- Nine provinces with no new cases in the last 28 days: Chanthaburi, Lop Buri, Maha Sarakham, Phetchabun, Phrae, Roi Et, Sukhothai, Uthai Thani, and Yasothon.
- 32 provinces with no new cases in the last 14 days: Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kalasin, Kanchanaburi, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Phetchaburi, Phitsanulok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Si Sa Ket, Suphan Buri, Surin, Tak, Trang, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Uttaradit.
A total of 13 provinces still continued to report new cases in the last 7-14 days. Another 14 provinces have still seen new cases in the last seven days, including major tourist cities; such as, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Krabi, and Phuket.
Thailand is divided into 76 provinces and one special administrative area (the capital Bangkok).
According to the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, from the investigation report of COVID-19 patients who have a history of going to crowded places or in the community, it was found that in Bangkok, the places which reported most of the patients were entertainment spots, boxing stadiums, cinemas, supermarkets, fitness centres, temples, beauty salons, universities, restaurants, tourist areas, markets, shopping malls, public transportation, workplaces and hospitals.
In the countryside, the places which reported most of the patients were entertainment spots, boxing stadiums, supermarkets, shopping malls, tourist areas, workplaces, hospitals, markets, temples and mosques.
According to the report, places which had a lot of people gather, often reported infected cases. Therefore, the measures that recommend people to avoid going to a crowded community are important because it can decrease the risk of COVID-19.
“Although the current COVID-19 situation in Thailand has improved, people are requested to continue to strictly comply with the measures for a while. Stop unnecessary travel, refrain joining in groups and parties, and avoid going to crowded places. Wear cloth or surgical masks, wash hands regularly and importantly, keep a distance of two meters away from other people,” according to the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health.
REMINDER: National State of Emergency
On 25 March, 2020, the Royal Thai Government declared a State of Emergency and enacted the 2005 Emergency Decree in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Thailand. The Emergency Decree is in place from 26 March, 2020, to 30 April, 2020. And as stated above, the Government would assess the situation again during the last week of April 2020.
A recap of the first raft of measures issued under the Emergency Decree
- Restrictions for access to risk areas.
- Closure of risk areas.
- Closure of entry/access points (land, sea and air) to the country.
- Restrictions on hoarding of consumer items and ensuring of price controls on items.
- Restrictions on large gatherings.
- Restrictions on the deliberate dispensing of distorted information.
- Avoid commuting between provinces.
- Restrictions for people under 5 years of age and over 70 as those with chronic medical conditions from leaving their living premises unless extremely necessary.
Additional measures
- Nationwide night-time curfew from 22.00 – 04.00 Hrs. from 3 April, 2020, until further notice.
- Banning all incoming passenger flights from 4 April, 2020, until 30 April, 2020.
- Bangkok and the 76 provinces have also issued specific restrictions that vary from province to province, including provincial border closure, hotel closure, alcohol sales ban, etc. (See: Summary of Thai provinces banning entry and alcohol sales)
Visa relief measures announced on 7 April, 2020 https://immigration.go.th/content/visa_auto_extension
- Any person whose visa has expired from 26 March, 2020, would be automatically extended to 30 April 2020. There is no need to apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Office for this period and would not be fined THB 500 per day for this case.
- Aliens who are due for 90-day reports between 26 March, 2020, and 30 April, 2020, are temporarily exempted from reporting during this period until further notice.
- Aliens who are holding Border Passes will be allowed to stay in Thailand for now. However, Aliens with Border Passes must depart Thailand within 7 days of the border crossing points opening date.
- Aliens are advised to follow announcements regarding Immigration measures closely for updates. (Currently measures have been announced until 30 April, 2020, or further updates)
On 21 April, 2020, the Thai cabinet approved the extension to the current visa relief measures, to cover a new period from 1 May – 31 July, 2020. However, the new dates will not be official until the extension has been published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette.
Public transport suspend/adjust services
- For domestic and international air travel, kindly check with the respective airlines regarding flight suspensions and the options for tickets booked during the suspended periods.
- Bangkok’s mass transit systems: Airport Rail Link, BTS Skytrain and MRT Bangkok Metro have adjusted their daily operating hours to fall between 05.00 – 21.30 Hrs.; Bangkok’s bus and boat service hours are also in accordance with the curfew.
- Inter-provincial bus services on routes with a distance of over 300 kilometres, including ticketing services, have been suspended. Services on routes with a distance of less than 300 kilometres are still operating, from 05.00 – 16.00 Hrs., at reduced frequency with strict social distancing rules applying.
- Long-distance train services on about 30 routes from Bangkok to the North, Northeast and South have been suspended.
Once again, TAT would like to remind all international and domestic tourists to stay safe through this difficult time, prepare for the time when travel and tourism returns, and we can all enjoy the amazing Thai travel experiences with our beloved family and friends.
TAT is constantly providing updates on the tourism-related COVID-19 situation in Thailand at the TAT Newsroom (https://www.tatnews.org/). For additional information and assistance relating to Thailand’s tourism, contact the TAT Contact Centre 1672 or Tourist Police 1155.
For constant updates of Thailand’s COVID-19 control measures for travellers, please visit https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php.
This press release is published on 23 April, 2020, at 13.00 Hrs. All information is accurate at the current time but can be changed depending on the situation. The TAT Newsroom will not be updating this press release but will issue new updates as soon as further information becomes available.
Contact:
TAT International PR Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Phetchaburi Road
Makkasan, Ratchathevi
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4544-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246
E-mail: mailtous@tatnews.org
SOURCE: Tourism Authority of Thailand
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