Bangkok, 14 January, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide the latest update on the COVID-19 prevention and control measures used by transportation providers serving the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
These include the BTS Skytrain, MRT Subway and Airport Rail Link, river ferries, and tour coach service providers.
Adherence to Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) advice, which proved critical to last year’s early success continues to pay dividends in 2021.
Since early March 2020, the CCSA has remained vigilant in advising both visitors and the Thai general public at large to maintain DMHTT precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19: D – Distancing, M – Mask wearing, H – Handwashing, T – Temperature check, and T – Thai Chana contact tracing application.
When it comes to the BTS Skytrain, MRT Subway and Airport Rail Link, stringent measures have been in place since the start of the outbreak to ensure travel on these networks is as safe as it can possibly be during COVID-19.
For the health and safety of all, temperature screening is in place and passengers are required to follow social distancing rules, wear a face mask at all times, and to wash their hands before entering and exiting the train systems (hand sanitiser is provided at all stations).
Any passengers not wearing a face mask will not be allowed to purchase tickets or pass through the automated gates to the trains. The same applies for any passengers who refuse or avoid temperature screening.
In addition to these DMHTT precautions, here are some further tips recommended for passengers to help them stay safe: refrain from talking while inside train carriages; avoid touching the nose, mouth and eyes; carry a personal bottle of hand gel; allow for extra travelling time due to the precautions in place; if there are seats vacant use these rather than standing and holding on to straps/poles; if possible try to travel outside of the morning and evening peak rush hours, especially if having to go through intra-change stations.
So far in 2021, social distancing measures applied last year that limited the number of people travelling on a train and the release of passengers through station platforms and on/off trains in staged numbers have not been needed. However, this could change at any time and if these measures are employed, it generally results in longer travelling time. If the situation requires, additional trains may be added during the rush hours.
Meanwhile, those who use the Airport Rail Link to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport will see there is now a QR code scanning point at the Airport’s station. This is one of nine QR points, which have been installed around the Airport, for the scanning of the Thai Chana contact tracing application and installation of the Mor Chana tracing application to use these together.
Alongside Bangkok’s growing rail networks, the country’s first electric ferry boat services made their debut in late 2020. MINE Smart Ferries, manufactured and operated by Thailand-based Energy Absolute, in December began running a fleet of environment-friendly electric ferry boats along a 23-kilometre route on the Chao Phraya River. All cabins are air-conditioned and have their own disinfection system, and just like on the trains, passengers are requested to abide by the DMHTT precautions and social distancing, face mask and handwashing measures.
Back in May 2020, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and tourism and health authorities launched a unique certification scheme called ‘Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration’ (SHA), which certifies that an operator or establishment meets the hygiene and health safety standards during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The transportation category includes Nakhonchai Air, one of Thailand’s largest bus companies operating from Bangkok, to many points in the North and Northeast including Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani.
In addition, about 100 Grab taxis were awarded the Amazing Thailand SHA certificate.
