Thailand recorded zero foreign tourists or related spending in April after it closed borders and banned most incoming international flights to fight the novel coronavirus outbreak.
There were almost 3.2 million arrivals in the same month last year, generating receipts of 146 billion baht (S$6.5 billion).
Visitors stranded in the country because of lockdowns around the world were not counted in the numbers, the Tourism Ministry noted in data released on Friday.
Stretching back to the 1990s, the latest report is the first to show a slump to zero.
Incoming international flights are banned through June 30 and it remains unclear whether visitors will be willing or able to rush back when curbs are lifted.
The state planning agency predicts the number of foreign arrivals will plunge to 12.7 million this year from a record 39.8 million last year.
Tourism accounted for about a fifth of gross domestic product before the pandemic, as holidaymakers flocked to sample azure waters, sandy beaches, gastronomic delights and Bangkok’s sometimes infamous nightlife. Chinese visitors were the biggest source of foreign receipts.
The crash in the industry is one reason why the economy is now on course for its worst contraction in about two decades.
The nation remains under a state of emergency but is loosening a partial lockdown in stages to kick-start its economy after virus cases dwindled. Some provinces have allowed hotels to open their doors again, though domestic tourism is sputtering because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Thailand reported one new coronavirus case on Saturday and no new deaths, taking the total number of infections to 3,077. The coronavirus has killed 57 people in Thailand since it was first detected in January.