In January of this year, Thailand had only 7,694 foreign tourists – the highest monthly number of arrivals since The Covid 19 pandemic hit Thailand back in 2020.

The figure was however minuscule compared to the 3.81 million arrivals in the same month last year from data from the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

In order to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in April last year, Thailand closed its borders and banned international passenger flight operations. From April to September last year, it recorded zero foreign visitors. The number of foreign visitors decreased from nearly 40 million in 2019 by 83% to 6.7 million in 2020.

Thailand has opened its doors to foreign visitors since October last year to revive its battered tourism industry.

 It has launched a range of efforts to help its difficult tourism-reliant economy but has received a timid response.

Thailand also provides a unique quarantine experience for foreign tourists entering the Kingdom, offering a special tourist visa (STVs) for up to 9 months in the Kingdom. The golf resorts, villa quarantine and yacht quarantine can be used for 14-day quarantine.

Thailand has offered a quarantine villa in its last initiative for timber tourists where foreign visits entering the Kingdom are subject to compulsory quarantine at one of Phuket's luxurious hotels. In early March, the first group of 58 travellers finished the Sri Panwa pilot project in Phuket.

Since October last year, Thailand has opened its doors to international visitors to relaunch its battered tourism industry. It has made a number of efforts in order to help its challenging tourism economy but it has had a quiet answer.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the initiatives are paving the way for 'area quarantine.'

Five provinces of international travel will be included in 'Area Quarantine': Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani (which comprises Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao), Chiang Mai (and Chon Buri) (which include resort island Pattaya). The first three days of quarantining are allowed in the province and the results of COVID-19 testing are negative, so the resort and the hotel can be taken out of their rooms.

The Tourism Sports and Ministry hoped tourism personnel in these provinces could get COVID-19 jabs soon in preparing to welcome foreign visitors from low-risk countries as early as July.

To woo international travelers, Thailand will reduce its mandatory quarantine from two weeks to 10 days starting April 1.