Thai navy officers were today patrolling the country’s sea border with neighbouring Myanmar amid a second wave of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Footage shows the armed soldiers travelling from Ranong province in the south towards Burmese waters. There are fears that Burmese people entering the country illegally will cause a further increase in coronavirus cases.

The crackdown came after an explosion of cases which started in mid-December when thousands of Burmese migrant workers were infected while working at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon province near the capital Bangkok.

Ministers re-introduced sweeping restrictions on travel and closed non-essential businesses to stem the spread of the pandemic.

Chavalit Pratunam, the owner of the Pratunam market seen in the video, said: ‘Every vehicle entering the market area was also sprayed with disinfectant. We want to create confidence among customers and traders that it is safe to visit.’

Thailand has recorded 10,991 Covid-19 infections and 67 deaths. Several provinces have been placed in lockdown and anyone entering the country faces extensive paperwork, tests and mandatory state quarantine for two weeks.