As the world is struggling with the thing that shall not be named, life in Koh Lanta is still quite easy going. Island is becoming more and more empty, because many tourist left and most of restaurants, shops and even hotel resorts are closed. Most of them are just regularly closed, since usually 1. of April indicates beginning of low season. The only differences from previous years is that due corona restrictions, a lot of these places closed their doors already week earlier. We decided to stay in Old town, which is no touristic area, so after 6pm mostly nothing is working except 7/11 shop, with few stands around selling some food.
Its been almost a week since the state of Thailand declare emergency decree. At the beginning we were not sure what does that mean and what kind of measures will it bring. Now its clearer, first level rules include prohibiting foreigners from entering Thailand, banning public gathering, closing clubs, bars and restaurants (those can still offer take away or delivery). Decree also enable provincial governors to decide whether to close tourism destinations, such as national parks and popular beaches. Social activities such as weddings, merit making, and funerals are still allowed but should be limited and health precautions taken. The same is with non-essential travel to other provinces. The interprovincial travelers face scrutiny and checks. This are the main decree directives for now, but as everywhere in the world right now, every day there are changes, with mostly new restriction added.
So here are some of the changes and news connected with the thing that shall not be named and the rest I will published in the following days.
Pranksters risk two years in jail if they make April Fools’ Day news about coronavirus
Probably this is not the most important corona update, but since it’s a special day, I’ll start with it. As Bangkok post reported, yesterday Thailand’s government issued a warning that sharing false information or lying and this mean also “joking” about the Covid-19 (coronavirus) on April Fool’s Day are punishable by an executive decree for administration in emergency situations, which carries a sentence of up to two years in prison or fined up to 40,000 THB (1,106 €) or jail term of 5 years and or fine of 100,000 THB by the Computer Crime Act.
Cancelling visa on arrivals
First thing Thai authorities did to fight with corona virus was cancelling visa on arrivals. This measure was taken already three weeks ago. It means tourist needed to ask for visa at the Thai embassies in home countries and they could do that just by showing the certificate that proof that they are not infected with corona. We all know that you can’t really get this certificate in your countries because first, there is not enough tests and secondly, you cannot go to doctor unless you are critical patient. So, we can say this was smart PR move – you don’t official ban, and by this you don’t get a range of tourist workers, but at the same time, new potential virus spreaders can’t come either and people feel safer. And then, on 26. March, when tourist high season is actually over you banned foreigners from entering Thailand except for diplomats, pilots etc. Thai nationals stranded in other countries can return but they must provide the health certificate, which most of them have problem to get, because of the same reasons as mention few sentences ago.
Today TTR Weekly report that Thai Immigration Bureau proposes extending tourist visas for foreigners (as me) stranded in Thailand until June 30. These days the offices are under siege by foreigners seeking extension. The long queues result to lack of social distancing and so creat health risk for staff and tourist. I haven’t read about this anywhere else, so I am just hopping that this is not 1st April joke.
Public transport still working but…
In one of my previous post I wrote that since 16. March authorities closed restaurants, bars, clubs and massages in Bangkok and other most touristic places such as Pattaya, Phuket etc. Tourism is one of the biggest economic sectors in Thailand and many “mainland’s” people working in it. Since most of them loose jobs, they mostly return to their hometowns across Thailand or Myanmar. Due to fear of complete lockdown most busses were completely full, and it was hard to get the ticket. The fear was not exaggerated.
As The Nation Thailand was writing, from 26. March (the day emergency decree officially started) the number of passengers per bus halves due to complying with the social distancing policy and tickets sales for all public transport are suspended until at least April 30.
Also, seven Thai airlines companies temporarily cancelled all international and domestic flights until the end of the April or further notice.
Just few days before airlines decided to temporarily stop the flights, The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand allow passengers, pilots, and cabin crews to carry liquid hand sanitisers on board. However, the combined volume must not exceed 1,000 millilitres.
Since in the past few days most of new cases were detect outside of Bangkok, the authorities aim to curb inter-provincial travel and cut public transport use by as much as 90% around the country.
The King is safe in Germany!
As International Business Times reported, king moved with his friends in Garmisch-Parenkirchen, to hotel open just for them. So, knowing he is safe, Thai people have at least one worry less in these times.
Thailand’s chicken egg export banned for 7 days
Yes, I know it sound crazy but even eggs are “affected” by corona. Thailand’s daily eggs consumption is 39 million, and 2 million were usually exported. But current production averages “just” 40 million eggs per day. Due to Covid-19 situation domestic demand has risen by 2-3 times, causing shortages in some areas. The seven-day ban is a trial period and if situation does not improve by tomorrow, they may extend the ban.
To be continued…