The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Monday announced it has extended the ban on inbound flights for another month from May 1 to 31 in a bid to stem imported COVID-19 cases.

"Exempted from the ban are state and military aircraft; aircraft requiring emergency and technical landing without disembarkation; humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights; and repatriation and cargo aircraft," said CAAT director-general Chula Sukmanop.

Air passengers will be subject to disease control measures including 14-day quarantine and other relevant measures issued under the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations, he said.

With regards to domestic commercial flights, Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion Air are set to return to the skies on May 1 on limited routes; seating on board will be arranged with spacing between seats in accordance to the social distancing measures.

Thailand has so far reported 2,931 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 52 deaths.

(Cover: Flight crew arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, March 4, 2020. /AP)