Koh Samui has banned most people from the resort island until the end of the month, joining a growing number of regions in Thailand which have limited inbound travel in a bid to curb new Covid-19 infections.
Under an order signed by Koh Samui mayor, Ramnet Jaikwang, travellers are banned from the island unless they can produce a medical certificate -- issued by a state hospital no more than 72 hours prior to the intended date of travel -- stating they are not infected with the novel coronavirus.
They will also be subjected to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a state facility. Violators face fines of up to 20,000 baht.
State employees on official business must show an assignment letter from their supervisors and their IDs at checkpoints to enter Koh Samui.
Logistics workers employed by essential businesses -- banking, energy, retailers of consumer products, postal and courier services, and public health -- are exempt from the entry ban.
Such restrictions, coupled with Bangkok Airways' decision to close Koh Samui airport until the end of the month, means from today, Koh Samui will only be accessible by sea.
Surat Thani province has reported 17 confirmed Covid-19 cases -- six of which are on Koh Samui, according to its provincial public health office.
Surat Thani governor, Wichawut Jinto, insisted the island will not be totally closed off to outsiders.
"However, people wishing to land there will be strictly screened on arrival to contain the outbreak," he said. "Unless exempt, they must have a health certificate."
The island received 1,291 tourist arrivals on Saturday, a slight drop from 1,369 on Friday, according to latest figures posted on the Koh Samui Municipality Facebook account.
Songkhla province has also prohibited people from entering, with checkpoints set up to screen travellers on main roads linking the province with Phatthalung, Satun, Nakhon Si Thammarat and the deep South.
Exceptions are made for medical personnel, those transporting medical supplies, newspapers, fuel, cargo, post, and others with official permission.
All hotels in Prachuap Khiri Khan have also been ordered to shut down from April 4-30. The order, signed by governor Pallop Singhaseni, also urged all residents to wear face masks before leaving their houses. Violators face a maximum fine of 20,000 baht.
All Nakhon Ratchasima hotels have also been shut until further notice.