26-11-2023 (BANGKOK) Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to meet his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, in Songkhla province on Monday to discuss additional measures aimed at boosting Thai-Malaysian border trade and tourism.
One key proposal on the table involves a request from Thai tourism businesses to extend the exemption from filling the Tor Mor 6 immigration clearance form to five additional immigration checkpoints in the deep south, easing the entry process for Malaysian visitors. Presently, only the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province offers this exemption.
Another proposal seeks an extension of opening hours for night entertainment venues in the Thai-Malaysian border areas of Songkhla until 4 am. This move is expected to stimulate the southern border economy and align with similar changes advocated for tourist spots elsewhere.
The meeting between Prime Minister Srettha and Prime Minister Anwar will take place at a newly established immigration checkpoint in Sadao district of Songkhla, beginning at 11 am. This checkpoint is linked to a road leading to Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam immigration checkpoint, approximately 4 kilometres from the Thai-Malaysian border.
The five additional border checkpoints in the far south include Padang Besar in Sadao and Prakop in Na Thawi districts (both in Songkhla), Satun in Satun province, Yala in Yala province, and Narathiwat in Narathiwat province, according to Charun Kaeo-wachisap, president of Phatthalung’s tourism business association.
The recent suspension of the Tor Mor 6 form requirement at the Sadao checkpoint resulted in a twofold increase in visitor numbers, leading to traffic congestion. Advocates argue that extending the exemption to other checkpoints would address this issue.
Furthermore, stakeholders are urging Prime Minister Srettha to consider allowing tourist coaches from Malaysia to enter and stay in Songkhla for the convenience of tourists and operators.
Atthaphon Phrommun, mayor of the Padang Besar municipality in Sadao district, plans to propose a meeting with both leaders to discuss the designation of an area approximately 3–5km from the border as a special economic zone for border trade.
The leaders are also expected to explore the potential revival of a previously deferred project to construct a new Thai-Malaysian friendship bridge in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district.
Addressing the southern unrest will be a key focus of the talks, with both sides seeking measures to prevent insurgents from moving across the border between southern Thailand and northern Malaysia, disrupting their use of both countries as a criminal base.
