TRAT: About 10,000 tourists remain on Koh Chang as authorities there prepare for a flood of arrivals from the shut-down beaches and bars around Pattaya, after their call for the province to be locked down was rejected.
Saksit Mungkang, secretary-general of Trat's provincial tourism industry council, said yesterday the atmosphere on the tourist island was more sombre than it was 2-3 days ago, when at least 1,000 tourists -- Thais and foreigners -- were arriving each day.
The number has dropped by half, Mr Saksit said.
There are still about 10,000 tourists, mostly foreigners, on the island. There are also about 10,000 business operators and their staff, in addition to around 8,000 permanent residents.
Asked about reports that foreign tourists from Pattaya would flock to Koh Chang now Chon Buri authorities had ordered the closure of beaches there, he said Koh Chang officials are prepared.
"Tourists who arrive at the island after April 5 will have their travel record strictly checked. If they are not Trat residents, they will be asked where they are from and where they had been," said Mr Saksit. "Public health officials will keep a close eye on them."
The provincial communicable disease committee met on March 31 to consider a letter from tourism operators and local leaders on Koh Chang for a lockdown of the island and the province from April 5.
The committee decided against it, saying it was unnecessary because no Covid-19 cases had been reported in the province.
Trat governor Wichian Limwongyoo, who chairs the communicable disease committee, is expected in Koh Chang today to meet local leaders there.
Meanwhile, Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said in Bangkok yesterday that some visitors -- most of which had been in and/or are from Europe -- have proved to be carriers of the virus.
"This is a lesson and we must adapt," he said.
Up until now, Thais seeking to return home by air are required to have fit-to-fly certificates and letters from embassies confirming they are Thai nationals seeking to return home.
Foreigners must also present an insurance policy of at least US$100,000 which covers coronavirus treatments, as an added requirement.