The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is preparing a plan to relax travel rules in line with the timeline to declare Covid-19 an endemic disease on July 1.

The tourism goals for revenue and arrivals this year might be downgraded because of surging oil prices and inflation caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn.

Mr Yuthasak said the plan to label Covid-19 endemic from the second half of the year will lead to further relaxations, including the ending of Thailand Pass.

The agency has to start working on new rules over the next four months, he said.

However, an RT-PCR Covid test result from tourists remains essential for now as the country is struggling with an overwhelming daily caseload, said Mr Yuthasak.

TAT plans to propose further easing of travel regulations at the next Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on March 18.