CHON BURI: The Pattaya City municipality has ordered the closure of beaches at eight locations from Saturday to May 31, as part of the effort to contain Covid-19.

Pol Maj Jeerawat Sukhonthasap, chief of Pattaya City inspector, or thetsakit, on Thursday led officials to cordon off beach areas at eight locations: Pattaya beach, Jomtien beach, Phra Thamnak beach, Cosy beach, Wong Amat beach, Krathing Rai beach, Lan Phor Na Kluea public park and the grounds of Bali Hai pier. 

People and tourists are prohibited from gathering in the areas between 9am and 9pm during the three-week period, Thai media reported.

The Chon Buri provincial communicable disease panel has recently eased restrictions on some areas in the tourist province.  

People may exercise on pavements along the beaches but are not allowed to enter the beaches. Dining, drinking and other activities are also banned in the areas.

Bangkok Post