Bangkok, 27 January, 2020 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to affirm tourists and travellers in Thailand and around the world that Thai authorities are implementing strict measures to prevent the spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the country. 

Thailand is working with the World Health Organisation and other countries to further understand infections caused by this new coronavirus and to ensure that they are prevented and controlled so that travellers can travel worry-free around the world.

There is no outbreak of 2019-nCoV in Thailand 

As of today, there are eight confirmed cases in Thailand. Five of them (four Chinese and a Thai) recovered and returned homes. The other three Chinese patients remain at medical facilities, and their conditions are improving.

So far, no one has died from 2019-nCoV pneumonia in Thailand. 

Thailand has effective health surveillance systems for disease control

Thailand is implementing an intensive and unremitting screening and surveillance for 2019-nCoV especially at the international points of entry upon passenger arrival to Thailand. The screening cover passengers who departed from affected areas.

Thai public and private sectors step up hygiene measures

Airports, mass public transport including BTS Sky Train, shopping malls and hotels as well as public areas are stepping up hygiene measures, including extra cleaning and disinfection as well as providing hand sanitizers.

Tourism business operators to monitor for symptoms 

For tourists and travellers in Thailand, tourism business operators are instructed to monitor for symptoms of their customers. If any traveller has symptoms including coughing, sneezing, panting or runny nose after arriving from risky areas, tourism business operators are to seek medical care at the hospital immediately and inform the doctor regarding the person’s history of recent travel to China.

How to reduce your risk of coronavirus infection 

Tourists and travellers in Thailand are to take precautions as necessary to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. They can adhere by guidelines by the World Health Organisation or the following recommendations by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health.

• Avoid staying in crowded areas while traveling, especially near people who are coughing or sneezing. If this is unavoidable, a mask should be worn.

• Avoiding close contact with live or dead animals and wild animals; avoid eating uncooked meat.

• Always wash hands with water and soap or alcohol gel.

• Do not touch eyes, nose, lips if not necessary.

• Keep your body temperature warm and get enough sleep.

• If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, runny nose, or wheezing within 14 days of returning or travelling to Thailand, wear a mask and immediately go see a doctor or health officer. Notify the health provider of your travel history, due to the possibility of pneumonia complications and severe symptoms including death.

In conclusion, the TAT would like to affirm travellers and the international community that every effort has been made by Thai authorities to prevent the outbreak of 2019-nCov in Thailand. 

For additional questions, please call the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422 or the Tourist Police Hotline 1155.

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Bangkok, 28 January, 2020 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update on the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases in Thailand. 

As of today, the Ministry of Public Health has confirmed 14 cases in Thailand (13 Chinese and a Thai). Five of them (four Chinese and a Thai) recovered and returned home. The other nine Chinese patients remain at medical facilities.

The Ministry has confirmed that all 14 cases had not contracted the coronavirus infection in Thailand. Human-to-human transmission has not yet been reported in Thailand.

To prevent the spread of the 2019-nCoV in Thailand, health surveillance systems have been stepped up at the international points of entry, especially at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports. The screening now covers passengers and air crew on all flights from China.

Nationwide medical labs have been upgraded for a real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) laboratory technique allowing blood test results to be obtained within three hours. This is part of the ongoing intensive screening and disease surveillance for the 2019-nCoV.

For regular updates on the 2019-nCoV situation in Thailand, tourists and travellers can visit https://ddc.moph.go.th/viralpneumonia/eng/index.php, which includes the following guidelines:

• The 2019 novel coronavirus can be prevented using the principles for respiratory disease prevention, i.e., washing hands, wearing masks and avoiding contact with patients who have a respiratory disease.

• People can still travel to China; however, it is recommended to avoid visiting crowded places and making contact with patients who have respiratory symptoms. If this is unavoidable, people should wear a mask.

• If anyone has symptoms including coughing, sneezing, panting or a runny nose within 14 days after departing from Wuhan, China, please seek medical care at a hospital immediately and inform the doctor regarding the history of recent travel to China

• It is recommended to avoid visiting markets selling carcasses or live animals. If touching or handling live animals, people should wear gloves.

• Regularly wash hands with water and soap or use alcohol gel. It is also recommended to avoid using your hands to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Do not use or share personal stuff with others (i.e. handkerchief, glasses, and towels) since pathogens causing respiratory disease can be transmitted to other people through secretions.

• It is recommended to avoid eating uncooked food.

Once again, TAT would like to advise Thai and international travellers, who are travelling from affected areas in China within 14 days to seek immediate medical advice and treatment if they are experiencing respiratory symptoms including those mentioned above. For additional questions and assistance, please call the Department of Disease Control Hotline 1422 or Tourist Police Hotline 1155.

Credit infographic images: Thailand’s Department of Disease Control

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