Thailand could further relax its entry rules to allow British families with unvaccinated children quarantine-free entry before Christmas.

Since Monday, vaccinated British adults and unvaccinated children up to the age of 12 have been allowed to enter Thailand quarantine-free, subject to taking a PCR test on arrival and waiting one night in a government-approved hotel for the result.

Under the new Test & Go scheme, vaccinated holidaymakers and under 12s are then free to travel wherever they like in Thailand, while those who aren’t vaccinated must spend their first seven days in a designated resort.

Speaking at World Travel Market, the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Deputy Governor for International Communications said he was hopeful that restrictions would be further eased to allow all unvaccinated children quarantine-free entry.

“We are fighting for this with the authorities,” said Siripakorn Cheawsamoot. “Since we just launched the Test & Go scheme we would like to maintain it at under 12s for the moment but after two weeks it will be reviewed and it might – we hope – increase to 18.”

Thailand has been gradually easing its entry restrictions for British holidaymakers since the beginning of October when it cut the in-resort quarantine period for vaccinated travellers from 14 to seven days. The quarantine period for unvaccinated Brits has since been cut from 10 to seven days.

“We call it Happy Quarantine because visitors can still enjoy all the facilities of the hotel – the pool, the beach – everyone is welcome in Thailand, even those who aren’t vaccinated,” added Mr Cheawsamoot.