Footage shows a once-popular floating market in Thailand that was eerily quiet – despite tourists being allowed to return to the country.

The Lad Mayom Floating Market on the outskirts of Bangkok had only a handful of street food stalls open and a few boats in the water outside.

Ministers re-opened the country to fully vaccinated tourists on November 1. However, leading airlines in the country such as AirAsia have warned that even by the end of 2022, international flights will only be half of what they were before the pandemic.

Economists have also warned that it could still 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.