Two Bridges To Connect Narathiwat With Malaysia

[Lite Beer]

Two bridges to connect Narathiwat with Malaysia

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to build two cross-border bridges linking the neighbouring country with Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok districts of violence-plagued Narathiwat province to boost bilateral economic cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul, who represented Thailand at yesterday's 12th meeting of the Thai-Malaysian Joint Committee, said the cost of constructing the bridges would be split equally between the two countries.

Construction is expected to begin in 2014. Thai authorities are preparing to spend an initial Bt24 million to design the bridges, which are expected to boost local economic development in the restive South, where years of unrest have resulted in thousands of casualties.

In addition, Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to open a border checkpoint in Sadao district of Songkhla province to promote trade and economic development in the area bordering Malaysia.

Another border checkpoint will be opened at Ban Prakob across from a special economic development zone being developed by Malaysia.

Surapong said border trade between Thailand and Malaysia accounts for a high percentage of bilateral trade volume between the two countries. He said he had also proposed to his Malaysian counterpart that the two countries promote cross-border tourism by rail from the Malaysian border town of Padang Besar to Hat Yai, continuing on to Chiang Mai in the North.

Approximately 1.4 million Thai tourists and 2.5 million Malaysian tourists cross the border annually.

-- The Nation 2012-12-16

[Curt1591]

New supply lines!

[dcutman]

Approximately 1.4 million Thai tourists and 2.5 million Malaysian tourists cross the border annually.

And how many murdering terrorist's cross the border annually? Didn't do the survey on that one ha? A couple more crossings should bring the numbers up a bit more.

[Ricardo]

Should help boost the short-term-tourist numbers !

But isn't there already at least one well-used border-checkpoint at Sadao, I'm sure I used it this time last year !

[Halion]

There is a border checkpoint at Sadao which I drove through in 2006 enroute to Phuket.

It was frointer style and a total joke from the aspect of security. The booths are designed for truck traffic and are too high for cars ,so they instruct you to park your vehicle and walk to the booths. No further checks were conducted and we could have had contraband or illegal aliens in the vehicle. No security at all. On the return it was the same story however they did check the occupants of the vehicle. Have also entered via Sungei Golok and the security was far more detailed than the Sadoa check point.

[Briggsy]

Sungai Kolok already has a bridge!

[bigbamboo]

One for the Buddhists and one for the Muslims?

[Briggsy]

Gosh, this thread is full of informed posts.

[OzMick]

The border crossing near Tak Bai is a punt style ferry which often leads to long delays, even on a bike. The times that I've used it, I saw a lot of produce going in both directions, a lot of it in hand-carts.

[Squigy]

One for the Buddhists and one for the Muslims?

Bit like the partition of Pakistan all those years ago. I can still see the footage of the Muslims on one side of the border and the Hindus on the other. In this case we will have the Muslims going South and the Buddhists going North on there own bridge.

[edwinchester]

Approximately 1.4 million Thai tourists and 2.5 million Malaysian tourists cross the border annually.

And how many murdering terrorist's cross the border annually? Didn't do the survey on that one ha? A couple more crossings should bring the numbers up a bit more.

Even the Thai government acknowledge the terrorism is largely homegrow.

[BrianCR]

Approximately 1.4 million Thai tourists and 2.5 million Malaysian tourists cross the border annually.

And how many murdering terrorist's cross the border annually? Didn't do the survey on that one ha? A couple more crossings should bring the numbers up a bit more.

Why do you comment on something that you obviously know nothing about? Are you trying to stir unrest with stupid expat comments?

[Ricardo]

There is a border checkpoint at Sadao which I drove through in 2006 enroute to Phuket.

It was frointer style and a total joke from the aspect of security. The booths are designed for truck traffic and are too high for cars ,so they instruct you to park your vehicle and walk to the booths. No further checks were conducted and we could have had contraband or illegal aliens in the vehicle. No security at all. On the return it was the same story however they did check the occupants of the vehicle. Have also entered via Sungei Golok and the security was far more detailed than the Sadoa check point.

Then perhaps the money should be spent, on upgrading the existing very-busy crossing, which I'd agree is slightly chaotic, rather than agreeing "to open a border checkpoint in Sadao district" (my bold) as the OP reports?

Of course it may well be misreporting, but if not, ought not DPM/FM-Surapong to be aware that there's already a checkpoint there ? It's very popular with the Malaysian sex-tourists, visiting the lively colourful area just inside the border, known also as Sadao !

And an enhanced tourist rail-link across-the-border to Hat Yai could surely only ever become known, as either the 'Bonking Express' or (1st-Class only) the 'Nookie HiSo-Flyer' !

The Malaysian rail-system appeared last-year to be in-the-process of doubling the track between Georgetown and the border, where inevitably all traffic is then funnelled onto the existing elderly single-track of the SRT. Roll-on the Chinese dual-track high-speed freight-railway !

I's also mention that the Malaysian Immigration also similarly requires all drivers/passengers to disembark, and clear formalities on foot, before returning to their vehicles, IIRC.

Edited December 17, 2012 by Ricardo

[samran]

Gosh, this thread is full of informed posts.

Morons you mean?