Footage shows tourists at the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, today as neighbouring China finally eased its Covid-19 travel ban - allowing holidaymakers to fly abroad.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, and Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn visited airports to give souvenirs to the first holidaymakers from the Far East for almost three years.

It came as communist state officials on January 8 lifted restrictions for both inbound and outbound travel to China, signalling an end to the country's notorious zero-infections policy towards the flu and cold respiratory illnesses.

Transport chief Saksayam said that 269 tourists travelled with Xiamen Airlines flight MF833 travelled from Xiamen, China and arrived at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 12.19 pm.

He said that there were 15 inbound flights from China on January 9 with a total number of passengers of 3,465.

Saksayam emphasised that Thailand would welcome tourists from every country under the same prevention measures.

According to Airports of Thailand, it is expected the number of Chinese tourists in 2023 will be 7-10 million, still fewer than the 20.5 million passengers before the pandemic.

Thailand is the most popular holiday destination for travellers from the mainland and the Southeast Asian country's economy has come to depend on income from China.