10,000 Chinese Tourists Make Thailand Increase Its Controls

Thailand's health authorities Thursday announced an increase in controls to prevent further cases of 2019-nCoV-related pneumonia due to the presence of at least 10,000 Chinese tourists from Wuhan in its territory.

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"On Saturday, Suvarnabhumi airport discovered that there were about 20,000 Wuhan tourists in Thailand," Disease Control Department director Sophon Iamsirithavorn said and explained that half of the Chinese tourists would seem to have already returned to their country.

To manage the situation, the Health Ministry has the data and addresses of the 10,000 Wuhan tourists who are estimated to remain in Thailand.

The coronavirus, which originated in an illegal wildlife market in Wuhan, has now claimed 170 lives and infected 7,711 people in China.

Almost all the deaths have been in Hubei province - of which Wuhan is the capital - where 60 million people are now living under virtual lockdown, staying inside their homes and only venturing out with masks on.

Before the Chinese authorities ordered on Jan. 22 the closure of the Wuhan airport, about 1,200 tourists arrived in Thailand a day from that city.