Bangkok canal commuters get more boats amid virus fears
Saen Saep canal boat operators are adding more services amid concern that crowding from high passenger numbers could help spread Covid-19 in Bangkok.
Athirat Rattanaseth, Deputy Minister of Transport, said the Marine Department has imposed social distancing and regular cleaning aboard boats on the capital’s main canal, as well as ordering more frequent services. However, the number of passengers using the canal service is still high, he said.
Boat operators will now add more trips during the morning rush hour from 7am to 8.30am and in the evening from 4:30pm to 6pm. The service frequency will increase from 5-7 minutes to 2-3 minutes to prevent crowding on both boats and piers.
