Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Hat Yai tourism sector predicts a 20-30% rise in arrivals and revenue if border bribery issues are addressed and operating hours at the Thai-Malaysian border are extended. The Thai cabinet has responded positively, following requests from the tourism and sports minister to prolong the hours at border checkpoints. This initiative aims to relieve congestion, particularly at the Sadao checkpoint, and curb opportunities for bribery.

 

Recently, during Malaysia’s national holiday, travelers experienced lengthy delays at the Sadao checkpoint, with some facing waits of three to four hours. The checkpoint's midnight closure left many tourists stranded, forcing them to either find hotel accommodations or sleep in their vehicles. These circumstances reportedly allowed some border officials to collect bribes ranging from 500-1,000 baht from Malaysian tourists trying to cross after hours.

 

Songchai Mungprasitthichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, recommends extending the checkpoint's hours to combat these issues. He proposes a trial allowing the checkpoint to operate 24 hours a day, similar to the Malaysia-Singapore border, potentially easing night-time traffic and increasing tourist flexibility. With current daily arrivals at Sadao ranging from 4,000-5,000 on weekdays and up to 20,000 on weekends, an increase seems promising if the operational hours are extended.

 

Despite some concerns regarding security breaches and drug trafficking, Songchai suggests enhancing patrols and inspecting suspicious vehicles, typically trucks rather than tourist buses. According to the Tourism Ministry, Songkhla saw over 5 million visitors in the first eight months, a slight decrease from last year. Nationwide, Thailand recorded a drop in overall tourist numbers, with Malaysia still leading as the largest inbound market, surpassing China.

 

Looking forward, the tourism outlook for Hat Yai and Songkhla remains stable. The government's "Khon La Khrueng" co-payment scheme is expected to stimulate domestic spending, offering a boost to the region’s economy in the coming months.

 

Key Takeaways

• Extending border hours could reduce bribery and boost tourist arrivals.
• Malaysia remains Thailand's largest inbound tourism market.
• Enhanced security measures may address concerns of prolonged border operations.

 

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-02

 

 

Or they could simply crack on and complete the big new immigration and customs facility that they've been building since 2016.