Dozens of passengers were stranded at Bangkok airport today (March 22) after Pakistan closed its airspace due to the coronavirus, forcing the cancellation of their flight.

The group of 55 tourists, including women and children, had been due to board Thai Airways flight TG349 leaving for Islamabad at 6:45pm.

However, the Pakistani government on Saturday announced temporary suspension of all international chartered, private, and passenger flight operations to Pakistan for a period of two weeks effective from March 21 to April 4.

The passengers, some of whom were also in transit or had already checked-in and passed through immigration, were then unable to leave after the cancellation was announced.

Sadia Chaudhary, one of the stranded passengers, said: ''We had boarding passes and the gates were just about to open .Our flight was canceled just few minutes before we were about to board.

''I along with fellow Pakistanis are now stuck at Bangkok airport. The airline is not supporting us as it's our government who just closed the airspace suddenly without prior notice. We don't know what to do.''

Thailand's new de facto travel ban came into force at midnight banning anyone from entering without a Covid-19 health certificate and coronavirus travel insurance.

Pakistan said its decision to close airspace was taken to restrict the spread of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) in the country. The rules will not be applicable to cargo and diplomatic flights. There have been three deaths and more than 625 infections in Pakistan.