Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand – March 27,2020
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Event: U.S. Embassy Messages, Bus Ticket Sales, The Emergency Decree Legislation, Checkpoints, Flights Out of Thailand
Why Am I Receiving This Message?
As part of the effort to get as much information as possible to U.S. citizens, the State Department is extending departure dates in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Any STEP enrollee who indicated a departure date from Thailand as of March 15, 2020, or after will continue to receive messages for the time being. Enrollees who previously requested to be unsubscribed from STEP may begin receiving MASCOT messages again, as well. This is temporary for the Covid-n19 pandemic and STEP will revert back to its previous functionality in the future.
Bus Ticket Sales Suspended Until April 30.
Ticket sales for all public transport buses will be suspended from March 26 to April 30 in compliance with the government’s declaration of a state of emergency which took effect yesterday, March 26th.
Thai Emergency Decree Legislation
To read a translation of the Emergency Decree Legislation please visit the Council of State’s website. Section 9 explains the measures available to the Prime Minister during a crisis. People with existing health conditions, adults over 70 and children younger than five are advised to stay home.
Drivers, Passengers Subject to New Check Points in Downtown Bangkok
Health officials and police officers in Bangna district of Bangkok have set up checkpoints to scan the body temperature of drivers and passengers travelling onto Sukumvit road,a main downtown thoroughfare. The measure also applies to people travelling to other provinces as a preventive step against the spread of Covid-19.
Flights Out of Thailand
We advise temporary visitors in Thailand to arrange for immediate return to the U.S. while there is still an opportunity. Please see below for outbound flights from Bangkok to major transit hubs with onward flights to U.S. cities. All flight routes are subject to cancellation without notice, and many flights are heavily booked. Yesterday we reported 53 flights out of Bangkok per week; today it is 46 and further reductions in service are expected.
Today, Chiang Mai International Airport has 23 flights to Bangkok and no international departures.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines, cruise lines, or travel operators regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Thailand.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s websiteon the latest travel restrictions to the United States
- Visit the Thai Ministry of Public’s Health English-language application that gives daily updates on the situation in Thailand: Covid19.ddc.moph.go.th
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 205 4049
+66 2 205 4000 (after hours)
Email: acsbkk@state.gov
American Citizens Services - U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai, Thailand (serving U.S. citizens in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Kamphaengphet, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Petchabun, Phayao, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Sukhothai, Tak, and Uttaradit provinces)
Telephone: +66 053 107 700
+66 2 205 4000 (after hours)
Email: acschn@state.gov - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Thailand Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
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