Thai nationals returning from abroad by air need not register for a Thailand Pass starting next month, while foreign visitors will enjoy faster processing, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).
CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said the centre has decided to scrap the requirement for Thai nationals from June 1.
Meanwhile, international travellers will be issued a QR code after completing registration without any need to wait for approval. They are, however, still required to have insurance coverage of US$10,000 (342,700 baht), he added. Those with a negative Covid-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of departure will not have to quarantine, although all tests must have been supervised, he said.
Dr Taweesilp said the number of foreign visitors between Jan 1 and May 9 exceeded 1 million with about 98% fully vaccinated on arrival.
According to deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, due to the surge in tourist arrivals, revenue in the first quarter has dwarfed that of last year by 2,000%.
She said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha believed the figures are a sign the economy will begin to grow again.
According to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, the country could realistically attract around 22 million visitors this year if the Thailand Pass registration requirement is scrapped. The estimate, however, was based on it being scrapped on June 1.
He said foreign visitor numbers rose from 8,000 per day to 20,000 after Test & Go ended on May 1.