Is it safe to travel to Bangkok and Phuket? Latest advice as coronavirus cases hit 53 in Thailand

THAILAND continues to be affected by coronavirus, with 59 confirmed cases and one death caused by the virus.

Here is everything you need to know, from travel advice to flight disruptions, if travelling to destinations in the country like Bangkok and Phuket.

Read our coronavirus live blog for all the latest news and updates

What's the latest travel advice for Thailand?

There are currently no travel bans in place for Thailand.

The UK government has warned: "There is an ongoing outbreak of coronavirus.

"The virus originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province but cases have been confirmed in other parts of China and the region, including Thailand.

"The Thai authorities have introduced a number of measures to limit the spread of the virus, and additional measures may be introduced. You should comply with any additional screening measures put in place by the local authorities."

Tourists entering the country who have been to South Korea, China, Macao, Hong Kong, Italy and Iran, even if only in transit, will be forced to self-quarantine for 14 days at their home or hotel room.

They will also have to check in every day with the authorities or face a 200,00 baht (£489) fine, according to local media.

Brits are also advised to self-quarantine on their return to the UK from Thailand if facing any symptoms.

The US State Department has not issued new warnings for Americans travelling to the country and there are no current warnings regarding coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The numbers of coronavirus in Thailand have stayed low compared to other countries – as cases soar in places like the US, Britain, Greece, Italy and France, Thailand has managed to so far curb the spread of the virus.




Is travel to Thailand affected?

Travel to and from the UK continues to remain uninterrupted in Thailand with flights and public transport running.

However, Israel flag carrier airline El Al has stopped all flights to and from Thailand in an attempt to reduce the spread, while Thai Airways, Jetstar and airlines in South Korea and Kuwait have reduced flights as well.

Travel agencies in Hong Kong have cancelled tours to Thailand for the rest of the month.

Airports including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi will be thermal screening for signs of the disease and tourists will also be given health advice on arrival.

A number of events have been cancelled in the country due to coronavirus, including the MotoGP, while the Ireland women's cricket tour to Thailand has been called off.

The annual Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan has also been cancelled due to fears, despite to no reported cases on the island, and popular beaches are deserted.

Tourism Thailand has insisted that the country is still open and welcomes tourists, although popular resorts at destinations such as Phuket have been deserted with reports of a 40 per cent drop in tourist numbers.



Can I cancel my holiday to Thailand?

Any Brits due to travel to Thailand are unlikely to get their money back if they cancel their holiday or flights.
The only time that tour operators are required to give a refund on holiday packages is if the Foreign Office changes its travel advice for a region and turns it into a no-go area, which they have not done in this case.

Independent hotels are not even required to refund money in this instance, so if you have paid in advance and choose not to turn up then you will lose your money.

If the hotel is a large chain, it could be worth asking to change your stay to another location or delay your trip but they are under no obligation to grant this.

Holidaymakers are advised to check with their travel insurance providers to see if there is something they can do, but that is also unlikely.

We've explained everything you need to know if you want to cancel your holiday.

Different travel advice has also been issued to other countries near China.

A leading airline doctor has said that face masks and gloves on flights actually makes the coronavirus situation worse.

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