As Thailand began its fifth phase of relaxing Covid-19 restrictions, it is gradually removing restrictions imposed on international flights on Wednesday.
Certain groups of people now permitted entry into the country include business travellers and foreigners with spouses, work permits or residency in the country.
The announcement from the country’s civil aviation regulator came after Thailand’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) agreed to reopen the country’s borders gradually, initially for six groups of foreigners and citizens from Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, reported Thai PBS World.
The report added that no limits are set for the number of citizens of Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore and Hong Kong, but groups are limited to 10 at most and all must be tested for Covid-19 in their home countries and again upon arrival in Thailand.
CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin explained that the decision to allow entry of citizens from the aforementioned countries were based on their economic importance to Thailand, their ability to contain coronavirus, their efficient public health systems and their readiness to conclude travel bubble tourism deals with Thailand.
The number of foreigners allowed to enter the country will be capped at 200 per day, and they must arrive in Thailand only on repatriation flights for Thais returning from abroad. They are also subject to 14 days of quarantine at their own expense in Thailand.