Thai police arrested 66 tourists including British nationals after being caught having a drunken party at a bar despite a liquor ban.

Officers raided the bar after undercover police confirmed reports of the bar selling drinks to guests in Pattaya, Thailand, on July 26.

The bar owner was also arrested for breaking the Covid-19 protocols including selling alcoholic drinks and accommodating more than the number of allowed customers at a time.

Those arrested - 29 of whom were foreigners - were taken to the police station for questioning before they were isolated pending the result of their coronavirus test.

Officers said that several British ex-pats, Europeans and an American were among those arrested. A number of tourists who had only recently arrived in Thailand after going through the country's 14 day quarantine period were also among those arrested.

Bang Lamung police station officer Setthawuth Mawanhirunkul said: ‘The tourists were sitting too close together as the bar accepted more people than the allowed capacity.

‘They were also caught buying drinks from the bar despite the ban. The bar was only allowed to sell food and close before curfew.’

Investigations into the incident are still ongoing. It is believed to have broken a ban on bars and restaurants being allowed to open and a curfew, which was ordered earlier this month following a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Thailand has recorded 578,375 cases and 4,679 deaths as of July 30.

Economists have warned that it could be another five years before the country’s tourism industry returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Two years ago tourism made up an estimated 21 per cent of Thailand’s GDP, generating 1.8 trillion baht in revenue. However, the country’s National Economic and Social Development Council predicted that it could be another five years before similar numbers are seen.

Analysts said that between now and 2026, around seven million workers will continue to be affected by the economic harm from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thailand has recorded 561,030 Covid-19 cases and 4,562 deaths as of July 29 – with cases rising dramatically throughout this month.

Analysts said that between now and 2026, around seven million workers will continue to be affected by the economic harm from the Covid-19 pandemic.