Yesterday, the Governor of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province, Jirakiat Poomsawat, issued an order to close all hotels and resorts immediately and until further notice, including businesses that function like a hotel.

Hotels that are being used as local quarantine facilities, however, will remain in operation.

The explanation, included in the order, said that the latest COVID outbreak has already spread to many provinces, with infections still increasing. As Kanchanaburi is a tourist destination, which attracts large groups of travellers, the order has been imposed to limit the spread of the contagion.

Those who breach the order will be subject to one year in prison and/or a fine up to 100,000 baht, under Section 52 of the Communicable Disease Act (2015), and two years in prison and/or a fine up to 40,000 baht under the Emergency Decree.

Hotels, which still have guests in residence, can continue to operate until all the guests check out, and no new guests will be allowed. Hotels which still have guests must provide their guests’ names to the local administration, and ensure that strict social distancing and sanitization measures are followed.