The second-largest economy in Southeast Asia experienced its worst contraction in the second quarter in over two decades as the critical tourism sector was badly hit.

Relaxed rules will make it easier for people to enter the country on yachts and the international crew of ships, but with strict adherence to health measures, the spokesman for the coronavirus task force, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, said at a briefing.

The government is considering shortening the mandatory quarantine period from the current two weeks for new arrivals, he said. It has been suggested by some health officials that it could be reduced to 10 days.

On Tuesday, 39 visitors from Shanghai, the first international tourists since April, arrived in Bangkok on special 90-day visas.

According to the government reports, this year Thailand could see only 6.7 million arrivals, less than a fifth of a record 39.8 million in 2019.

In April, the government banned commercial flights to keep COVID-19 at bay, and most of the new cases were Thais returning home on repatriation flights. Just over 3,700 infections have been reported in the world.

The government has given no specific timeline for the reinstatement of daily commercial flights and tourist arrivals, despite the moves to attract tourists. Nevertheless, it plans to extend the state emergency to the end of November for another month, Taweesin said.

Maritime Business World