It was confirmed on Monday that investors and businessmen based in Thailand, and medical tourists, would probably be the first foreigners allowed into the country.
Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said visitors allowed in would have to enter quarantine for 14 days, like returning Thais do.
The first group would be investors and businessmen based in the country, with 700 people having already requested entry.
About 22,000 highly-skilled workers and experts comprised the second group, along with 2,000 foreigners waiting to return to their Thai families, and other expats.
The third group comprised 30,000 people who want to come for medical services.
Gen Natthaphol Nakpanich, deputy army chief and deputy chairman of the lockdown-easing committee, would propose the lists to the CCSA meeting on Friday for confirmation.
“It will be proposed they be allowed to enter the country to drive the economy forward,” Dr Taweesilp said.
Medical tourists would be among those who go directly to hospitals, where they would be quarantined and receive other medical treatment at the same time, he added.
Short-term businessmen and guests are under consideration by the CCSA, which would look for measures to allow them in without quarantine, because their stay would be short.
Dr Taweesilp said tourists from China, Japan and South Korea could be among the first groups allowed back, because their governments had been successful in handling the pandemic.
Thailand has had no local community infections for 28 days.
