Thailand's famous 'ladyboy' cabaret dancers were overjoyed after their shows finally returned following more than two years of closure due to the pandemic.

The transgender female performers, most of whom were out of work amid Covid-19 curbs, once again donned their flamboyant sparkling dresses, dancing to entertain a huge crowd of tourists as the iconic Alcazar theatre in Pattaya, Chonburi roared back to life on Tuesday night, September 20.

Seats were fully booked on the theatre's reopening night after authorities eased restrictions on entertainment venues to spur the country's tourism industry on June 1.

The shows are a welcome relief to the dancers, who have had to find various work elsewhere during the prolonged closure.

Speaking in the video, cabaret dancer Paiboon Marvin, 30, said: 'Back in 2019, we didn't know what Covid-19 was. We also didn't know how long it would last.

'It was very difficult because we had to live day by day and wait for the stage to reopen.

'Some were lucky as they had a second job, but those whose income relied solely on the cabaret had a tough time. They had to do whatever earned them money. They had to find another job. They worked in restaurants.'

Though now operational, the establishment has yet to return to full capacity. Most of the audience were reportedly locals, with cabaret bosses still waiting for the rebound of foreign arrivals.

Still, the reopening of the stage signals hope for a return to normalcy.

Paiboon added: 'My friends and I feel like we were reborn tonight. The feeling when the stage re-opened, we remember everything - the audience, the curtains, the sound of the title being announced.

'We are very grateful to come back, and we are very excited.'

Thailand heavily relies on tourism, which accounts for around 12 per cent of its gross domestic product. However, the restriction put in place during the pandemic left many in the industry struggling.

Economists believe it could be another year before tourist numbers return to pre-pandemic levels.