Residents in Thailand flocked to supermarkets to stock up on alcohol tonight (April 9) after the government announce a total BAN on the sale of alcoholic drinks due to the coronavirus.

The prohibition period, which comes into force at midnight, will last for 10 days to help prevent social gatherings that could spread the Covid-19 virus. It covers the country's traditional Songkran New Year period from April 13 - 15. Even though celebrations have been cancelled, there are fears that locals could still hold their own booze-fuelled parties.

Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, a spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration asked for residents to ''cooperate'' with the ban so that authorities could ''gain control over the spread of the virus''. Many of the Thailand's 77 other provinces have introduced bans on the sale of alcohol.  

Footage shows how shortly after the announcement was made this afternoon, locals flocked to supermarkets to bulk buy beer, wine and spirits. 

Officials in Thailand, where there has been 2,423 cases and 32 deaths, have taken firm measures to stop the spread of the virus including closing entire regions, enforcing curfews, cancelling all flights, shutting businesses and in some places even arresting residents who don't wear face masks.