Stray cats took over an abandoned Thai market decimated by the Covid-19 downturn.

Footage shows the felines resting among the debris left by dismantled shops in Bangkok, Thailand, this morning, October 14.

The commercial area used to be bustling with tourists shopping for local food and souvenirs until the pandemic struck the country in March last year.

Shops were forced to close down as business and travel restrictions negatively affected their operations and sales.

Thailand has recorded 1,751,704 Covid-19 cases and 18,029 deaths as of October 14 but ministers plan to re-open the country to fully vaccinated tourists from selected countries without quarantine from November 1.

Despite signs of recovery, 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.