On 25^th March 2020, the Prime Minister of Thailand Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 by declaring the state of emergency effective from 26^th March 2020 to 30^th April 2020 to lockdown Thailand against the Covid-19 epidemic to impose the following measures:

1.   The Governors of Bangkok and other provinces are empowered to issue orders necessary to temporarily close down places where people meet such as sport stadiums, racecourses or playgrounds, entertainment venues, theatres, fitness centers and spa venues.  They can also close down tourist sites, transportation hubs, markets, department stores, religious places, museums or public libraries upon obtaining approval from the Contagious Disease Committee.

2.   All kinds of transportations and persons travelling to and from Thailand are not allowed, except for certain exceptions, such as, carriers and freighters, airline staff members on duty, diplomatic staff members and their dependents, foreigners who work or live in Thailand and Thai nationals, who hold a fit-to-fly health certificate issued by a doctor and a certificate issued by the Thai embassy abroad.

3.   The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior and the Royal Thai Police will extend the stay periods for foreigners who do not hold a work permit or a residential permit to stay in Thailand longer than their time limits until the time when they can travel back to their home countries.

4.   Hospitals, clinics, drug stores, restaurants for take-away, hotels (residential area), supermarkets, minimarts, factories, banks, ATMs, markets, gas stations as well as government offices will remain open but they must comply with the virus precaution measures, such as requiring staff members to wear face masks, providing alcoholic gel to employees and customers to wash hands.  Social distancing is recommended.

5.   Children under 5 years of age and old people from 70 years of age and people with chronic and underlying diseases are recommended to stay home. Social gathering is prohibited. Travelling between provinces is discouraged.  Working from home is encouraged.

6.   Hoarding food, water, drugs and other products necessary for the daily consumption are prohibited.

Publication of fake news and/or updates in relation to the Covid-19 situations online or via social media can also be prosecuted under the Computer Crimes Act B.E. 2550.

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