BANGKOK, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Boat rides for Bangkokians are temporarily suspended to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior government official said on Thursday.
Marine Department Director General Wittaya Yamuang confirmed all Chao Phraya express boats shuttling daily commuters along the country's largest river are suspended from Saturday until the end of next month.
About 35,000 people ride in Chao Phraya express boats daily but the number has dropped to about 25,000 since the COVID-19 spread began to rise earlier this month.
Under the social distancing rule, the number of passengers for each boat would be reduced from 80 to 20, thus rendering a large number of passengers missed out on the daily boat service, according to the department.
Meanwhile, boat rides in Bangkok's Saen Saep canal are also suspended from Friday until the situation is considered to have considerably subsided.
The number of Saen Saep boat passengers has dropped from about 50,000 to about 20,000 daily since the outbreak began.
