Thailand is accelerating its tourism reopening plan as the government continues with the rollout of its national vaccination program.

Tourism authorities are also preparing to implement measures to hasten the recovery of the country's travel and tourism industry, including the possible issuance of coronavirus vaccine passports and quarantine waivers.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha issued an order this week, calling on government agencies and the private sector to look into the implementation of vaccine certificates for international travelers. The order came just days after officials said that they would be removing the country's two-week mandatory quarantine requirement for travelers that have already been vaccinated.

Tourism authorities said that the mandatory quarantine could be lifted as early as July 1 and vaccinated travelers worldwide can come to visit. The tourism-reliant country was quick to react to the spread of the coronavirus. Its overall case count was relatively low with around 26,000 positive cases and 85 deaths as of Thursday.

Thailand's successful tourism reopening could spur other tourism-dependent countries to follow suit, analysts said. However, medical experts have warned that easing restrictions too quickly might pose some risks. Business owners understand the risks involved but they also understand that the economy and the people of Thailand need the country to reopen soon.

"A gradual reopening, with the appropriate cautionary steps taken, will undoubtedly save businesses, jobs and bolster the economy. Given the building global momentum of vaccination, it would make sense to begin planning for the necessary steps," John Blanco, the manager of the Capella Bangkok hotel, said.

In 2019, Thailand generated a fifth of its gross domestic product from tourism. The country's central bank had acknowledged that a successful reopening would be key to returning to economic growth. During the pandemic, Thailand's economy contracted by 6.1%, the largest contraction since the turn of the century.

Local tourism businesses have been petitioning the government to reopen its borders over the past months. Some have said that the current situation was simply unsustainable and most of them would not survive if the government postpones its planned reopening.

Minor International, which operates more than 500 hotels worldwide, is leading a campaign to push the government to reopen its borders. The online petition has gathered more than 6,000 signatories.