Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) reported on its website that it has allowed seven more domestic airports, effective from Saturday, to restart flight operations.
The seven domestic airports are Tak, Trad, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Pai, Phetchabun, Sukhothai and others.
"The CAAT has greenlighted the seven airports to resume domestic flights for the time being, as according to the relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown measures by the Thai government," CAAT Director-General Chula Sukmanop said, "All airports are not yet allowed commercial inbound flights (overseas flights).
The Emergency Decree forbidding inbound flights remains in effect until the end of June.
The ban does not apply to state or military aircraft, emergency landing, disembarkation-free technical landing, humanitarian assistance , medical and relief flights, repatriation flights and cargo flights however.
However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he could not control the COVID-19 situation beyond Thailand 's borders, the Thai Government has yet to announce when international flights will resume.
"Let's make sure that we continue to wear face masks, wash hands daily, and exercise social isolation," Prayut said, "the sooner we will adapt to the new usual lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, the better the controls on lockdowns."
Prayut said earlier that it is necessary to maintain the ban on inbound flights, as Thailand can not afford a second wave of COVID-19 import infections.
Thailand reported two further COVID-19 infections on Saturday bringing the total to 3,104 cases.
The COVID-19 Situation Administration Center said on Saturday that the majority of new infections were from overseas Thai returners since late May.
Source Khaosodenglish
Keep updated with phanganist.com by following our Facebook page.
