BANGKOK (BLOOMBERG) - Thailand will permit an extended length of stay for foreign tourists between October and March in a bid to support its economic recovery as pressures from Covid-19 ease.

Foreigners from 18 territories coming to Thailand under the visa-on-arrival category will be allowed to double their length of stay for up to 30 days, Mr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, a spokesman for Thailand's main Covid-19 task force said Friday (Aug 19).

Those from more than 50 places, including Singapore, that currently get 30 days will be able to stay for up to 45 days.

Thailand is hoping rising tourist arrivals will help boost its economic growth this year, even though the pace is still expected to be the lowest in South-east Asia.

Between Jan 1 and Aug 17, Thailand gained 176.3 billion baht (S$6.9 billion) in revenue from 3.78 million foreign arrivals.

The number of tourists jumped 3,214 per cent from the same period last year.

"We are looking at extending their stay," Mr Taweesilp said. "This will help boost tourist spending, revive the economy and reduce the impact from the pandemic."

Earlier this month, a government spokesman said Thailand expects to attract 10 million international tourists this year, compared with the 6.1 million forecast in April.

The number of visitors is seen rising to 30 million people next year, still shy of the 40 million who travelled to the country in the year before Covid-19 spread.