THAILAND’S night-time curfew has been lifted in Phuket, Pattaya and Koh Samui with immediate effect since yesterday, announced the National Council for Peace Order (NCPO), which is currently overseeing the country’s administration under military rule.
The move is intended to ease the atmosphere in tourist areas and reduce any fallout on the local economy, according to the council. The curfew is still in force in other areas until further notice.
Thawatchai Arunyik, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said in a press release: “The lifting of the curfew in Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui is welcome news. This latest development announced by the NCPO should help reassure everyone coming for a holiday in Thailand that it’s very much business as usual and that there’s no reason for anyone to change their plans.”
Meanwhile, tourism leaders in the country have urged NCPO to lift the curfew from other popular tourist destinations like Hua Hin, Krabi and Chiang Mai.
Last week, hours for the nationwide curfew were also shortened from the original 22.00-05.00 to 00.00-04.00.
Further easing of the curfew is expected in the coming days.
