The Thai government on March 4 unveiled its “area quarantine” plan to open Thailand to foreign tourists from next month.

Thai authorities said on October 2 that the country will begin reopening its borders to outsiders and kick-start the tourism industry plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic with a flight from China this month.

Thailand entered the third phase of its lockdown on June 1, with moderate-risk businesses allowed to be reopened, while the country observes a shortened curfew from 9pm to 3am.

Thailand’s media quoted Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat as saying that he would focus on the task of attracting foreign visitors and improving hotspots.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has predicted that the country will welcome some 37.5 million foreign tourists this year.

Thai Chon Buri province and relevant organisations have collaborated to develop Pattaya into a city of "Tourism for All," by constructing facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Thailand has seen high growth in the number of tourists so far this year, according to Minister of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to improve the country’s earnings from tourism as a global top seven.