Saturday, February 17, 2024
Songkhla province in southern Thailand, which borders Kedah and Perlis, is actively seeking to attract more Malaysian tourists by advocating for the removal of a restriction that currently prevents foreign-registered buses from travelling beyond Songkhla to other provinces within Thailand. Phatthalung Tourism Association president Charoon Kaewwaveesub. He mentioned that Songkhla and the local land transport office have reached an agreement to abolish this restriction, pending final approval from the Land Transport Department in Bangkok.
A regulation established on August 15, 2014, restricts foreign-registered buses carrying passengers to only operate within Songkhla province, a measure initially designed to support Thai bus operators by ensuring Malaysian passengers travel out of the province via local buses. However, tourism operators in Thailand’s southern provinces, including Songkhla, have criticized the rule as being obstructive and a deterrent to visitors interested in exploring the southern region.
Songchai Mungprasithichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, was reported to have stated that this regulation is causing Thailand to forfeit approximately 1 billion baht (RM133 million) in tourism revenue annually.
Should the ban be lifted, the conditions will still prohibit foreign buses without passengers from entering Thailand, and those intending to travel beyond Songkhla province will require prior approval.
The report highlighted that the majority of Malaysian tourists enter Thailand by car or bus, predominantly through the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla. Last year, Thailand welcomed around 28 million international tourists, with Malaysian visitors constituting the largest group at 4.5 million, surpassing even Chinese tourists, who numbered 3.51 million.
Furthermore, data up to February 1 this year indicates that travellers from China lead the visitor statistics to Thailand, followed by Malaysian tourists and then South Korean visitors.
In a report from June last year, tourism associations across 14 southern provinces in Thailand were advocating for a relaxation of regulations. They proposed allowing Malaysian tour buses to venture beyond Songkhla to other southern provinces, and for Malaysian visitors to have the ability to visit all 14 southern provinces by tour bus.
The potential lifting of this travel ban is expected to significantly boost tourism by making southern Thailand more accessible to Malaysian tourists. Enhancing connectivity and easing travel restrictions could lead to increased visitor numbers, thereby contributing to the regional economy and fostering closer cross-border relations.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
