There were deserted rows of stalls at the renowned Chatuchak Market in Bangkok, Thailand, this morning (March 26) as the coronavirus pandemic decimates tourism.<br /><br />The once-bustling weekend marketplace - the largest in the world - would normally be packed with thousands of holidaymakers buying souvenirs and wholesalers preparing goods to export.<br /><br />But with a travel ban in effect since Sunday (March 22) and the government urging locals to stay indoors, the aisles are deserted and shutters have been pulled down.<br /><br />Officials said today they did not know when the market would re-open or how many of the traders would still be in business.<br /><br />Thailand has declared 1,045 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and four deaths since the outbreak began. <br /><br />Measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic have been introduced including a travel ban on tourists and the closure of thousands of businesses. <br /><br />The Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the country would be placed under a state of emergency from March 26 onwards as curfews and the ban on movements between provinces are considered.<br /><br />Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek has also warned that the virus is now also spreading in provinces outside the capital.
