Photo Courtesy of Flickr

 

The tourism association representing 14 southern provinces in Thailand has urged the Transport Ministry to relax regulations, allowing Malaysian tour buses to travel beyond the border province of Songkhla. This move could potentially stimulate the region’s economy through promotional campaigns, as discussed at a recent forum on tourism organised by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

 

Jarun Kaewjeesub, president of the Phatthalung Tourism Association, expressed the need for more Malaysian tourists in the southern border area. Bangkok Post reports that easing entrance rules for Malaysians visiting Songkhla and allowing them to travel deeper into other southern provinces would help distribute visitors more evenly across the region.

 

The forum participants also agreed to draft a request to the director-general of the Department of Land Transport, seeking permission for Malaysian visitors to visit all 14 southern provinces by tour bus. Additionally, they acknowledged that the restriction also affects tourists from Singapore and Indonesia.

 

by Mitch Connor

 

Top Photo Courtesy of Flickr

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/economy/southern-thai-tourism-seeks-eased-regulations-for-malaysian-tour-buses

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-06-06

 

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26 minutes ago, webfact said:

easing entrance rules for Malaysians visiting Songkhla and allowing them to travel deeper into other southern provinces would help distribute visitors more evenly across the region

Indeed, spread the load. Malaysian tour buses cause all sorts of traffic problems in Hat Yai where they just park up for the weekend. I noticed recently that several sections of Thumnoonvithi Road now have signs saying no tour bus parking, Songkhla Town has the same problem. Better they're allowed to travel out of the province.