Public transport services in the Bangkok area have been ordered to end their daily operations by 9.30pm from Friday, when the nationwide night curfew starts.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said public transport services would be closed from 9.30pm to 4am following the prime minister's declaration of a nationwide curfew from 10pm to 4am to curb the spread of coronavirus disease.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) said closing at 9.30pm would give commuters enough time to reach home by the time the 10pm curfew starts.

The Airport Rail Link service would start at the normal time, 5.30am, and the last daily trains would reach their end stations at Phaya Thai and Suvarnabhumi airport by 9.30pm.

The State Railway of Thailand said it had to stop long-distance trains on about 30 routes because they could not reach destinations before the curfew started.