Pattaya/Koh Larn-
Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem spoke with TPN media today, January 12th, 2022 and dismissed what officials are calling false rumors of closing popular tourist island Koh Larn due to high levels of Covid-19 in Banglamung.
The latest rumors come after a week of similar online rumors claiming various things from full lockdowns, total alcohol sale bans, curfews, closing the borders of Pattaya, or requiring antigen rapid tests for everyone entering or leaving the city. All of these were fake news items and dismissed by both the Mayor and the Chonburi governor.
According to the Mayor, strict rules around Covid19 remain in place but there are no plans to limit the number of tourists on Koh Larn, require only full vaccinations for visitors, test every single visitor going to the island with a rapid test, or other false rumors. Visitors are required to have proper identification, wear masks at all times even outside, go through a temperature check, and check in with the Mor Chana platform on a mobile phone.
Mayor Sonthaya did note that the rules around “restaurants” that serve alcohol on Koh Larn are the same as Pattaya which means unpopular 9PM closing times and rapid antigen tests would be required for staff and customers entering these “restaurants”, which in reality are converted bars given permission to open with strict rules.
The Mayor also noted that the number of tourists in Pattaya had dropped since New Year’s, driven by a normal drop off since the holidays, easy tourist entry programs to the country currently suspended, strict rules on nightlife, and high cases of Covid-19. He felt confident, however, that the situation with Covid19 was under control and that things would recover soon.
