Bangkok, Jun 16 (IANS): Thailand will not launch the Travel Bubble campaign to promote the country's tourist industry until after July, a top official said on Tuesday.

Though the government has approved plans to promote the Travel Bubble campaign for international tourists to and from Thailand, it would not be launched by as soon as July, Xinhua news agency quoted Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) director Chula Sukmanop as saying.

The CAAT Director on Tuesday held talks with representatives of international airline firms on preparations for the reopening of Thailand's airports, temporarily closed to stem the pandemic.

The CAAT and other agencies are yet to make preparations for the future handling of international tourists under anti-pandemic measures and in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Health Organization, thus needing more time for that matter, he said.

Under the Travel Bubble campaign, international tourists can visit Thailand without undergoing the 14-day state quarantine upon arrival.

However, those tourists will be required to carry medical certificates issued in their own countries within the last 72 hours to assure they not be infected with the COVID-19.

In the meantime, international passengers might be allowed to enter or depart Thailand if they are categorized as business persons who might have to tend to their businesses overseas, Chula said.

The CAAT director said those business persons may readily afford to be quarantined upon arrival in the countries where they are leaving for and pay for the relevant expenses.

As of Tuesday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Thailand stood at 3,135, with 58 deaths.