Thailand seals borders in North, Northeast

“All travellers should closely monitor announcements concerning the border closure to prevent misunderstandings.”

Thailand’s borders are now sealed to all but freight traffic in the North and Northeastern regions. The third Thai-Lao Friendship, linking Nakhon Phanom province with Khammouane province in Laos, closed at 10pm yesterday as a precaution against the Covid-19 coronavirus. Goods vehicles are still permitted but drivers and operators are subject to strict virus testing. The closure also applies to temporary border checkpoints in Nakhon Phanom’s four border districts.

Police in Nakhon Phanom say Lao migrant workers returning from Bangkok will not be allowed to cross, but a solution will be worked out shortly.

In Tak province, checkpoints along the Burmese border are closed to people and vehicles, again with the exception of goods vehicles and their crews, until further notice.

In Chiang Rai, the border checkpoint at the first Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge has also been closed. About 10,000 Thais working on the Myanmar side of the border crossed back on Saturday.

In Uttaradit, opposite Laos, the temporary passages in Chong Huay Tang in Ban Khok district, the trading point in Huay Praw in Nam Pat district as well as Phu Doo permanent checkpoint in Ban Khok district, have also been closed, with the exception of goods vehicles, and only at the Phu Doo checkpoint.

SOURCE: Bangok Post