Footage shows one of Bangkok's most popular tourist attractions has been decimated by the coronavirus.<br /><br />Just a couple of months ago, the Rot Fai Train Night Market was drawing in tens of thousands of holidaymakers every evening. <br /><br />Crowds would gather in a car park overlooking the bustling market to pose for pictures in front of the colourful patchwork of stall roofs. <br /><br />But in a sign of how badly the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the country's tourism industry, which accounts for around 15 to 20 per cent of GDP, the area is now empty.<br /><br />Hundreds of the stalls selling street food, clothes and souvenirs have been packed away with no plans to re-open the market.<br /><br />Residents said that when the coronavirus began spreading in February, the popular attraction was deserted every night. <br /><br />''It used to be full until after midnight, the aisles were so crowded it was hard just to walk down them,'' said former stall holder Thida Katrin.<br /><br />''Then last month when Chinese tourists stopped arriving, it became very quiet. It wasn't possible to even cover the costs of opening.''<br /><br />Thailand introduced restrictions on entering the country on March 22 before rolling out a ban on any non-residents crossing the border. Many non-essential businesses have been closed until April 31, airlines have cancelled flights and several provinces have imposed lockdowns and curfews.<br /><br />The economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic as it is heavily reliant on exports and tourism. <br /><br />Ministers have pledged a stimulus package worth more than 500 billion baht to try and alleviate the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the economy over the coming months.<br /><br />Finance minister Uttama Savanayana said the government will inject 400 billion baht into the economy and give cash handout worth 117 billion baht.
