panorama destination

panorama destination

COVID-19 Causes Further Closures
08 April 2020 | Written by Chris Alexander

Following Phuket’s recent closure, the popular destinations of Pattaya and Surat Thani are now facing similar restrictions, as the Thai government extends the reach of new measures designed to curtail the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to a decision by Thailand’s provincial communicable disease committee, Pattaya City will officially enter lockdown from 2pm tomorrow (9/4) for a period of 21 days. Surat Thani will also begin a lockdown of its hotels from today until the end of April.

Under the new restrictions, anyone who is not a resident of Pattaya, or in possession of a work permit, will be denied access. To enforce the blockade, a total of five checkpoints will be set up on roads leading into the city, tasked with screening vehicles and people as they attempt to enter the province.

In Phuket, hotels have been ordered to close from 4th April onwards, while face masks have also been made compulsory in all public places. The island itself is also preparing to go into lockdown – blocking all unauthorised entry from land, air and sea – from 10-30 April.

The southern province of Surat Thani has also confirmed it will close its hotels, starting from today and until 30th April, to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The closures will include properties on the nearby tourist islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

The lockdown order, confirmed by Surat Thani’s provincial governor, Mr. Wichawut Jinto, covers all hotels and other buildings housing guests. The only exception will be for hotels that have been designated as quarantine facilities and field hospitals in response to the pandemic.

As in Phuket, hoteliers have been allowed to let existing guests stay until their scheduled checkout time, after which point they will not be permitted to accept any new bookings. Offenders would be liable to a jail term of up to two years and/or fines of up to 40,000 baht, under the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations imposed to fight COVID-19. A separate jail term of up to one year and/or fine of up to 100,000 baht for violating the communicable diseases law is also a potential consequence for violators of the decree.

Panorama Destination will continue monitoring the situation in Thailand, and keep providing updates about the latest developments regarding COVID-19. To get the latest news, follow our social media channels:

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter