Songkhla reopens border to Thai returnees

[snoop1130]

 

SONGKHLA (NNT) - Songkhla province has temporarily reopened the border to returning Thai nationals from Malaysia accessing the Sadao border crossing, after a push by Malaysian authorities for overstaying foreign nationals or those with an incorrect visa to leave the country by tomorrow.

 

The Sadao Thailand-Malaysia border crossing in Songkhla reopened yesterday for Thai nationals returning from Malaysia.

 

Around 100 Thai nationals have signed up for their return with the Royal Thai Embassy, including five Buddhist monks. They are all subject to a 14-day quarantine on arrival in a state provided hotel, or district provided accommodation in the case of the monks.

 

People clearing their 14-day quarantine without exhibiting any indicative symptoms will be allowed to return home, while people with symptoms will be sent to a hospital.

 

Mr Thanawasu Numtongmongkol, owner of Siam Thana Hotel in Songkhla, said he has allowed the authorities to use Siam Thana and another two hotels in the group as quarantine facilities. The three hotels have a total capacity of around 500 rooms.

 

He said the hotels are well-equipped to welcome back Thai nationals arriving from Malaysia, adding he has no worries about opening a quarantine zone in his hotel, as he has confidence in the provincial public health system.

 

The reopening of Sadao border crossing since yesterday follows the move by Malaysian authorities, who will no longer grant amnesty to overstaying Thai nationals. Those whose permit has already expired must leave Malaysia by 21st April. Those who fail to do so will be considered illegal immigrants, and will be punished according to Malaysian law.

 

The Sadao border crossing will continue to open for returnees tomorrow for the last day, with 181 people signed up to return.

 

Lt Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, commander of the 4th Army Region and chief of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, has ordered related units to coordinate with the southern border provinces to prepare facilities accommodating the returnees, and to prevent illegal entry via natural border crossings.

 

He has asked villagers to be vigilant and report any illegal border crossers entering their village, as these people would not have cleared the required disease control measures at the border checkpoint.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-04-20

 

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