PATTAYA: The popular tourist island of Koh Lan is expected to reopen in June after being closed to the public for two months to help contain the spread of Covid-19.
Pattaya City mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem said on Thursday that the Koh Lan community committee and city hall had discussed reopening the island to visitors as part of a third-stage easing of the lockdown.
Koh Lan residents agreed to close Koh Lan, which is part of tambon Na Klua in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, on March 27. Most business operators cooperated with authorities.
Outsiders were not allowed to visit the island, and residents were also barred from leaving and returning.
On May 1, the community committee agreed to ease restrictions by allowing the locals to leave and return. Tourists are still prohibited.
Mr Sonthaya said the community committee had proposed measures to keep out Covid-19 after the lockdown is eased. Pattaya City would submit the committee’s proposal to the Chon Buri provincial communicable disease control panel for approval.
The mayor said Koh Lan was then expected to reopen in June.
Pattaya City officials would seek the views of local residents and businesses in deciding on a date, which would then be proposed to the provincial panel, chaired by the Chon Buri governor.
Pattaya City mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem speaks of plans to reopen Koh Lan to tourists, on Thursday, (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
