Motorist From Thailand May Have To Pay Rm20 When Entering Malaysia

[george]

Motorists from Singapore, Thailand may have to pay RM20 when entering Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: -- From 1 May, motorists from Singapore and Thailand are likely to have to pay 20 ringgit for a vehicle entry permit to enter Malaysia.

The Malaysian government decided on the fee hike to sustain part of the cost of petrol and diesel which it subsidises.

Malaysian authorities added that the move is made to prevent motorists in Singapore and Thailand from taking advantage of the lower cost of petrol and diesel in Malaysia.

Malaysian Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told Channel NewsAsia over the phone: "People who come into Malaysia - tourists or coming for holiday or they want to do something in Malaysia - definitely, they can afford to pay the 20 ringgit. I don't think there will be any effect on our tourism industry or travellers coming into Malaysia from Singapore."

But while many motorists say this will not deter them from entering Malaysia, many say they would certainly think twice before making casual trips across the Causeway.

"If they're doing big business, I think 20 ringgit is nothing. But if just a small business, or maybe just go for tour, I think they will think about it," said a motorist.

"I'm sure nobody will want to go there. 20 ringgit is a lot. Right now, we're already paying 2.60 ringgit. I think 20 ringgit is a lot," said another.

Others differ.

"I will still travel to Malaysia because Singapore also charges them when they travel to Singapore. So it's the same," said a woman.

"If we have to go, we have to go. There is no problem, 20 ringgit or whatever," said another woman.

Singapore already has a vehicle entry permit charge for Malaysian vehicles entering the island - $20 Singapore dollars per day for cars (from 2am to 5pm but free on Saturdays and Sundays) and $4 for motorcycles. -

--Channel News Asia 2006-04-02

[wilko]

Motorists from Singapore, Thailand may have to pay RM20 when entering Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: -- From 1 May, motorists from Singapore and Thailand are likely to have to pay 20 ringgit for a vehicle entry permit to enter Malaysia.

The Malaysian government decided on the fee hike to sustain part of the cost of petrol and diesel which it subsidises.

Malaysian authorities added that the move is made to prevent motorists in Singapore and Thailand from taking advantage of the lower cost of petrol and diesel in Malaysia.

Malaysian Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told Channel NewsAsia over the phone: "People who come into Malaysia - tourists or coming for holiday or they want to do something in Malaysia - definitely, they can afford to pay the 20 ringgit. I don't think there will be any effect on our tourism industry or travellers coming into Malaysia from Singapore."

But while many motorists say this will not deter them from entering Malaysia, many say they would certainly think twice before making casual trips across the Causeway.

"If they're doing big business, I think 20 ringgit is nothing. But if just a small business, or maybe just go for tour, I think they will think about it," said a motorist.

"I'm sure nobody will want to go there. 20 ringgit is a lot. Right now, we're already paying 2.60 ringgit. I think 20 ringgit is a lot," said another.

Others differ.

"I will still travel to Malaysia because Singapore also charges them when they travel to Singapore. So it's the same," said a woman.

"If we have to go, we have to go. There is no problem, 20 ringgit or whatever," said another woman.

Singapore already has a vehicle entry permit charge for Malaysian vehicles entering the island - $20 Singapore dollars per day for cars (from 2am to 5pm but free on Saturdays and Sundays) and $4 for motorcycles. -

--Channel News Asia 2006-04-02

what docs do I need and what about insurance if I take my Thai pickup over the boarder?