Pattaya residents fear that a growing homeless population may become a breeding ground for Covid-19.
Fears were stoked by the recent death of a homeless man who was severely ill from an unknown illness. He was found in front of a vacant shophouse in Pattaya and died in a local hospital. A coronavirus test is pending.
Panicked Thais assumed the man died of Covid-19, despite no evidence to support the theory, and claimed that unmasked, homeless living in doorways and on the beach are spreading the disease.
Meanwhile, Thais visiting shopping malls and fresh markets continue to spread the disease.
Officials are being urged to do more to control the homeless population.