The Thailand government must do away with its 14-day quarantine rule so that tourists can start visiting the country again, tour operators of Calcutta told the Thai authorities on Friday.

At an interactive session, Calcutta’s travel agents told the Thai authorities that many people from the city now want to resume leisure travel to the southeast Asian country but the strict visa and quarantine norms, implemented because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Thai authorities said there were plans to withdraw the quarantine rule in phases and also to introduce a new norm where a person with a certificate of Covid-19 vaccination could be allowed into Thailand with eased rules.

Friday’s meeting between representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai consulate in Calcutta and the travel agents was the first such interaction since the Covid-19 pandemic stopped international travels last year.

Thailand is one of the most favourite destinations of the tourists from Calcutta and other parts of India. According to Thailand tourism officials, in 2019, 20 lakh Indians had visited Thailand. In 2020, nearly three lakh Indians had visited Thailand till March after which international travel had stopped to the country.

Now, Thailand has strict SOPs in place and is issuing special tourist visa under a long-stay programme for foreign nationals.

“As international travel is starting to resume slowly, there is a pent up demand from tourists in Calcutta to visit a place like Thailand...,” said Anil Punjabi, chairman, east, Travel Agents Federation of India. “But to go there one needs to make a plan for at least 20 days because of the quarantine norms and strict visa rules,” he said.

Manav Soni, chairman, Travel Agents Association of India, eastern region said: “India is ready to travel to Thailand. Now, we are waiting for a positive response from the Thai authorities.”

Vachirachai Sirisumpan, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the Thai government is considering proposals to ease restrictions. “A vaccine certificate for travellers is being considered....”