Recently, Thailand has opened up its borders to leisure travellers provided they are able to meet the stringent requirements.
In fact, the country which is heavily dependent on tourism receipts has expressed its hopes to receive 8 million travellers in 2021, a conservative estimate according to its tourism chief.
Unfortunately, they might’ve met with a setback.
100 People in Thailand Might Have Come in Contact With COVID-19 Cases; Authorities Urge People to Remain Calm
Unlike Singapore which is surrounded by the sea on all four sides, and hence, has an easier time with border controls, Thailand shares an “extremely porous” border with Myanmar.
While Thailand managed to keep its Covid-19 numbers down ever since Jan 2020 when the first case outside China was announced, Myanmar wasn’t as successful in that regard.
In recent months, Myanmar reported more than 1,000 cases a day. As of the time of writing, Myanmar has more than 90,000 cases with parts of the northern Rakhine and its capital Yangon on lockdown.
On 1 Dec, it was announced that four women who were working in the notorious Myanmar border town of Tachilek tested positive for the coronavirus when they returned to Thailand.
The authorities are now trying to contain the potential outbreak.
So far, they’ve tracked down more than a hundred people who may have interactions with the women and are tracking down more.
According to Thai media reports, the women worked at an entertainment centre, which is used for places like bars, karaoke lounges and brothels.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urges people to keep calm and said only women who worked “in this kind of venue” where person-to-person interaction is high tested positive.
Tachilek is considered as a conduit for the drug trade and contains many casinos and brothels within.
Border Patrols Tightened, More Measures Taken
Since the pandemic, Thailand’s border patrol has increased surveillance at the borders, seeking to stop illegal migrants from sneaking into Thailand.
The city of Chiang Mai has also been put on high alert.
According to reports, the first woman who reached Thailand had travelled to the city and visited a shopping mall and karaoke bar, potentially putting her in contact with hundreds of people.
The areas she has been in were also disinfected by the authorities as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the three remaining women stayed in Chiang Rai and self-isolated in hotels before getting tested.
Previously, private tour groups have said that they are ready for business again but the country isn’t.
Featured Image: Cat Box / Shutterstock.com
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