Thailand said Friday it will revoke pass registration and required coronavirus insurance for all people arriving in the Southeast Asian country on July 1.
The measure, approved by the country’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan o-cha, is designed to bring tourists back to Thailand as a way of spurring economic growth.
The Thai government will also no longer require citizens to wear face masks when they are outside but still recommend that people in especially vulnerable groups wear masks when they are in a crowded area.
Photo taken Nov. 1, 2021, shows an area near the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Thailand reopened its borders the same day for vaccinated tourists. (Kyodo)
From July 1, arrivals will only need to show their vaccination certificates or COVID-19 test results before departing and getting on board.
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the easing of control measures should be a boon to the Thai tourism industry and help revive growth.
Thailand expects to have at least 7.5 million tourists this year.
The minister said that with easing measures and arrivals during the high season for tourism in the fourth quarter of the year, the country will try to drive the number of foreign visitors to 10 million this year.
Over 39 million travelers visited Thailand in pre-pandemic 2019.
Daily COVID-19 infections in Thailand have been on a decline since late May.
On Friday, Thailand registered 1,967 new cases and 19 deaths, bringing its totals to 4,494,880 infections with 30,422 fatalities, respectively.
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