Bangkok, 28 April, 2020, at 13.30 Hrs. – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update that the Thai Cabinet today approved the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration’s (CCSA) proposal to extend the Emergency Decree for one more month, starting from 1 May, 2020.

According to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, some restrictions under the Emergency Decree will remain in place, including the closure of entry/access points (land, sea and air) to the country, nationwide night-time curfew from 22.00 – 04.00 Hrs., limitations on commuting between provinces, and no large gatherings. The ban on all incoming passenger flights has been extended until 31 May, 2020.

The Cabinet has also approved relaxation of some restrictions, which will gradually be introduced in four stages every 14 days. Details are being worked out and will be announced within this week.

The Prime Minister asked the public to continue to follow the ‘social distancing’ rules and comply with the government’s measures to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Today, Thailand reported seven new COVID-19 cases – yet the lowest for this month and marks the second day in a row that the number of new cases dropped below 10.

The seven new cases brought the total to 2,938. Of these, 90.27% (2,652) have recovered, 1.84% (54) have died – two deaths today, and 7.89% (270) are receiving treatment.

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 28 April, 2020, at 13.30 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.

The post TAT update: Cabinet approves one-month Emergency Decree extension, ease of restrictions appeared first on TAT Newsroom.

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However, as the reality of COVID-19 dawned, the usually fast-paced city was deserted as the government closed crowded spaces such as nightclubs and bars on 18 March.

The night before closure, Bangkok was lively as dancers entertained the decreasing number of revelers at the city’s bands and nightclubs. The residents were prepared for the shutdown even before its announcement.

An anonymous source revealed to us, “The shutdown is a good idea, in light of the current situation because the city receives many foreign visitors.”

Another source, who is a pub owner in one of the city’s nightclub districts said, “even if the government does not order us to close, we have to close our businesses for the sake of our safety.”

He closed his business for the first time in over 20 years because of the declining number of customers.

Nightclubs and bars contribute more than $5.5 billion a year to the overall economy and Bangkok is famous around the world as a city with a booming nighttime economy

Aside from bars and nightclubs, Bangkok has closed down international schools, public schools, universities and churches.

It also closed other entertainment centers and venues, including theatres, cinemas, gyms and spas, boxing rings,…

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