Southern border passes reopened
Papers required to enter from Malaysia
Four border passes in the South have been reopened to allow Thai workers stranded in Malaysia to return, but authorities warned that those who fail to produce the required documents will be turned away.
Border checkpoints across the country have been closed, except to returning Thai citizens, since the Emergency Decree was issued on March 26. However, authorities were forced to reopen four border passes as many Thai workers in Malaysia were still making their way to the border when it was closed.
According to information released by the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Thai workers may re-enter the country through the border passes at Tham Marang Port and Wang Prajan in Satun; Sadao in Songkhla and Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat.
However, those wishing to cross are required to have health certificates stating they are free from Covid-19, as well as a permit issued by a Royal Thai Embassy or consulate which allows them entry through the aforementioned checkpoints.
Also yesterday, Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Pornsak Poonsawat said patrols along the southern border will be ramped up to prevent anyone slipping into and out of the country unnoticed.
In a bid to stem the spread of Covid19, Yala’s governor signed a lockdown order which came into effect on Sunday.
The southern province is currently treating 35 Covid-19 patients — 18 at Yala Hospital, 14 at Bannang Sata Hospital and three at Raman Hospital.
A local security officer manning the Khunwai checkpoint in downtown Yala said authorities failed to explain the lockdown order clearly, which caused confusion on the ground.
The lockdown order bars vehicles from other provinces from getting to Yala’s city proper, unless they carry medical equipment and/or essential supplies. But yesterday, chaos were seen at the downtown checkpoint, as many motorists seemed unaware that vehicles registered outside Yala were no longer allowed to enter.
The order also prohibits residents from entering or leaving Yala, except those seeking medical treatment and transporting basic necessities.
Individuals suspected having of dangerous communicable diseases, including Covid-19, are banned from leaving their designated healthcare and/or quarantine venues, unless they have permission from health officials.
Violators face a jail term of up to one year and/or a maximum fine of 100,000 baht under the Communicable Diseases Act and they are also liable for a jail term of up to two years and/or a maximum fine of 40,000 baht under the Emergency Decree.
The State Railway of Thailand also announced that all passenger trains to Yala and Pattani have been suspended. Services to the deep South will terminate at Hat Yai junction in Songkhla, according to Pongsak Boonsuk, the director of Train Operations for Region 4.