Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Thai PM urges people not to travel over New Year holiday

Published

6 months ago

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Maya Taylor

PHOTO: Nation Thailand

“Please stay home.” That’s the message from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is calling on people to avoid travel over the forthcoming New Year holiday. Thailand is currently experiencing a resurgence of the Covid-19 virus, after going months without a case of local transmission. Yesterday, the Kingdom reported 155 new cases, with over 2,100 active cases. Only 10 of yesterday’s new infections are arrivals from overseas. As several provinces report a rise in cases, the PM says everyone must stay home and avoid all but essential travel.

“We may have to celebrate New Year at home this year and with a limited number of people.”

Despite the PM’s appeal to limit or avoid travel, there is no nationwide ban on movement between the provinces, although each one has its own measures in place, depending on the severity of the Covid situation locally. The PM warns that some measures may be quite strict and frustrating to visitors but is urging everyone to use the Thai Chana contact-tracing platform and to adhere to all Covid-19 preventative measures.

According to the Bangkok Post, the PM has neither confirmed nor denied that another nationwide lockdown may be coming once the New Year holiday period is over. He says this will depend on what the Covid-19 situation looks like at that point, adding that he believes it is unlikely to be so bad as to require another national lockdown.

Meanwhile, Taweesilp Visanuyothin from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, says provinces with high rates of infection have imposed stricter restrictions. Yesterday, it was confirmed that a total of 45 provinces have recorded new infections. The central province of Samut Sakhon, where the latest outbreak is believed to have originated, has imposed a curfew and banned New Year celebrations. Festivities have also been banned in the eastern province of Rayong, with entertainment venues closed and an alcohol ban in place. In addition, food can only be purchased from supermarkets or takeaway stalls.

Taweesilp says the rules may be relaxed or tightened, subject to the public’s compliance or not. Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam, who has described the latest outbreak as “not severe”, says restrictions will be reviewed around January 3-4.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

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News Categories: Coronavirus (Covid-19) Thailand

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12 Comments

Alte Ledertasche

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:03 am

TAT will surely like this…lets travel together…LOL

Reply
Toby Andrews

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:05 am

Yes that picture again.
He looks like a pensioner caught shoplifting.

Reply
- Fred glue
  
  Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:10 am
  
  One of your best Toby, keep the good work up…??
  
  Reply
- Nipral
  
  Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 7:42 am
  
  ??????
  
  Reply
Issan John

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:47 am

Maybe he should have had a word with the TAT before they encouraged people to travel over the holiday, and with his deputy who said the Covid outbreak was “not severe”.

Saying “please don’t, but you can if you want” seldom works even if the person saying it is widely respected, so it has little chance of working here coming from anyone anywhere in the political spectrum.

There’s no point in being dictatorial if you fail to dictate when it’s most needed, so let’s hope Thailand’s lucky over the next few weeks as that’s what it’ll be down to.

Reply
- Roger
  
  Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 8:42 am
  
  Good Post
  Sadly saying “not severe”
  Was a huge error
  This could lead to a super spread over the New Year
  Thai people just looking for an excuse to party and drink
  “Not Severe ” could be that excuse
  Good Luck Thailand
  
  Reply
Peter

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Too little too late for are ‘i’m alright’ expat friends on the board.
Governor of Chonburi has just enforced a lockdown including Pattaya and Jomtein.
Takeaway fron restaurants only. Just like good old Blighty.
Now they are begging people not too travel.
Apparently, the air quality is so bad in Bangkok that masks are being suggested as well.
The next few days are to be crisp, cold days in the UK. Hopefully, the Oxford vaccine gets the nod this week.
Have fun in Thailand guys and gals. So glad I’m at home in the good old UK.
Best of British luck.

Reply
- Issan John
  
  Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2:15 pm
  
  I’m glad you’re at home in Ireland, too, not here.
  
  Very pleasant here, though, but with crisp, cool days rather than cold, wet ones. Thanks for the wishes, though.
  
  Reply
  - Peter
    
    Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 2:33 pm
    
    Wrong again Loser John.
    The weather in the UK has been bright, dry, cold and fresh.
    I was in Roi Et in June 2019, the sun would have stripped bark off a tree.
    The UK still has 4 seasons, Thailand has 2, hot and humid or wet and humid.
    To be fair Isaan at this time of year can be cool.
    Cold on your ass in the outside squat toilet John.
    
    Reply
Ian

Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 3:38 pm

So we can travel in Thailand on cheap subsidy ,now please dont from the clown leader what a crazy government do they not talk to each other

Reply
Nipral

Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 7:43 am

Is that the moron who advocates many more long week-end ? To stay home I suppose !!!

Reply
Roger

Thursday, December 31, 2020 at 8:52 am

I have a wife still In Thailand … Just left for home AU before Virus started
This New Year could see the greatest super spread of this Virus worldwide if we are not
very responsible
I hope I am wrong however humans are very stupid sometimes I do not feel confident that responsibility will prevail
Thailand the Virus is back even AU now has problems with this new strain
May God help us cos we do not seem to want to help ourselves
Even with a vaccine
could be a year or more until travel is safe again
I do miss my wife

Reply

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Maya Taylor

A seasoned writer, with a degree in Creative Writing. Over ten years' experience in producing blog and magazine articles, news reports and website content.