Photos show Thailand’s shocking demise as coronavirus cases surge

New photos show how a once popular tourist destination has been abandoned as scenes of wild parties are replaced by families of stray cats.

Thailand's tourism-driven economy has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

One of south east Asia’s hottest tourist destinations has been abandoned as daily coronavirus infections soared to over 1700 a day.

Photos from the Thai island Phuket show the usually buzzing region abandoned of people. At the central beach resort and night-life hive of Patong, scenes of wild parties and crowds have been replaced by closed bars and abandoned streets.

Over a recent long weekend for the Songkran holiday, many Thai cities were also largely abandoned except for the odd pigeon or family of stray cats.

It’s a far cry from the usual throng of happy tourists who flock to the humid holiday destination to eat, drink at the pubs and frolic on the beach all year long.

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Phuket’s tourist economy has been hit hard by surging coronavirus cases. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

A cat family at a closed bar in Patong Beach. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

Two tourists and some pigeons on Patong Beach. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

A masseuse hopes for customers on the street. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

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On Wednesday, health authorities announced 1458 new cases and two deaths after hitting a record daily number of 1767 daily infections on Sunday.

Last week, daily infections in the country steadily increased, hitting 1582 on Friday.

The city of Chiang Mai has also experienced a drop in tourist numbers as its coronavirus numbers rose to over 200 a day.

Thailand is grappling with the highly infectious B.1.1.7. variant of the virus, first reported in the UK, which has been blamed for the rapid spread in many countries.

Popular night-time entertainment street Bangla Walking Street was empty of people. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

An almost completely empty street at Patong Beach. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

A closed restaurant at Patong Beach, one of Phuket’s most popular beaches. Picture: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has estimated the surge in cases could cost the economy around 2.4 billion baht ($A98.8 million).

It comes after the country already lost at least 130 billion baht ($A5.35 billion) in tourism revenue in the first half of 2020 due to the pandemic.