Huahin is silent after Covid-19 fake news claimed the area is a high-risk district for the virus. There is fake news published from an unknown source that went viral online. The picture states on top “Reimagine our tomorrow. Exploring possibilities for our future”. The fake news then claimed 10 districts are considered high-risk areas. This includes Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Petchburi. Chumphon, Ranong, and Prachuap Khiri Khan where Huahin district is. Khaosod News reported that the Hua Hin Sam Phan Nam Floating Market is usually busy on the weekend and holidays. This has changed after the fake news went viral and the floating market was empty on the latest holiday. The tourism in Huahin has been low since 2019 and became even worse during the Covid-19 situation. Business owners in the area heavily rely on weekends for local tourists to come to visit the area.
Nobpatch Kaewcharoen a business owner who makes cloth bags and masks, revealed the latest holiday at the floating market was slower than usual. This is not strange for normal workdays but on weekends people still come to shop at the market. The businesses have hopes to wait through each day for local tourists to visit and help boost their local economy. This week the market is empty and Nobpatch believes it is because of the Thai woman who illegally crossed the border back into Thailand and turned out to test positive for Covid-19. Tourists are now afraid and are avoiding travel until they feel safe again.
The fake news warning people to avoid traveling to 10 provinces in the country has affected the business even more. Nobpatch stated “Please stop sharing this fake news. Prachuap Khiri Khan has great protection and there have been no Covid cases in over 200 days. The new numbers are all from people traveling back into the country, there is no outbreak in the province. Huahin is safe to visit for all tourists”.
FB Caption: “There is no outbreak in the province, Huahin is safe to visit for all tourists”.
Source: Khaosod
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