BURI RAM: A South Korean man ignored the instruction to go into self-isolation after arriving in Thailand, and instead went to Buri Ram with his Thai wife, governor Thatchakorn Hathathayakul said.

Mr Thatchakorn said that the public health office was informed by local residents that a Korean man staying at a neighbouring apartment had failed to self-isolate for 14 days.

Health officials, assisted by immigration police, found him at the apartment.

The governor said the 46-year-old Korean arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport from South Korea about 9am on March 19. He went to Pattaya and rented a car.

On March 20, he left Pattaya in the car, arrived in Buri Ram about 1pm and went to the apartment where his Thai wife stayed.

After that he was seen leaving the apartment with his wife to visit many places, according to neighbours. 

The man had obviously ignored the 14-day self-isolation requirement, Mr Thatchakorn said.

He was told the must immediately go into self-isolation for 14 days, starting on Tuesday, or face legal action, the governor said.

According to immigration police, his wife violated the law by providing shelter for a foreigner without informing the authorities. She could be fined up to 1,600 baht.