Bangkok Denies Full Lockdown Rumour, Orders All Shops In City To Close By Midnight

No lockdown for the capital


Image adapted from: Dan Freeman

As the number of COVID-19 cases grows, some expect Bangkok to soon announce a full lockdown to keep people at home and prevent more infections. However, the city has since dismissed it as false information.

On 31st March, The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) stated that there was no mention of such a plan during an executive meeting on Monday.


All shops to close by midnight


Image credit: The Guardian

Although the full lockdown was just a rumour, the city has definitely tightened its measures to keep people off the streets.

“All shops must be closed from midnight. That includes roadside shops. They can reopen at 5am,” said Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. The order will be in effect from today until the end of April.

Bangkok officials, together with the Metropolitan Police Bureau, will be patrolling the city at night to make sure everyone complies with the order.

However, there’s no confirmation if this order includes 24-hr convenient stores like 7-11 or not.

Additionally, public and private parks, even those at condominiums and in communities, will also be closed. 

Stay calm, follow the government’s policies, and get updated with news from reliable sources rather than whispers on the streets – or, in our case, the internet.  

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Eddie Jirayu: