Malaysia mulls toll for Thai vehicles entering country

[webfact]

Malaysia mulls toll for Thai vehicles entering country

The Star/ANN - The Malaysian Government is studying the possibility of imposing a Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP) for vehicles entering Malaysia from Thailand.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said the move was aimed at curbing Thai van and taxi operators from misusing the privilege of being allowed to operate up to two kilometres inside the Malaysian border.

"Many Thai vehicles violate the rules by sending their passengers all the way to Kuala Lumpur.

"This has badly affected the income of our taxi drivers," he told a press conference at the Anti-Smuggling Unit Complex here Tuesday.

He hoped the ruling could be implemented from Jan 15 next year, when the VEP for vehicles entering from Singapore takes effect.

On Aug 1, Singapore increased VEP charges on foreign-registered vehicles entering the republic, from S$20 to S$35 daily, and for Goods Vehicle Permit from S$10 to S$40 monthly.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia would also impose the VEP on foreign vehicles entering the country from Singapore via Johor.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Malaysia-mulls-toll-for-Thai-vehicles-entering-cou-30242941.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-10

[jonclark]

Wait for it - Tomorrows headline

"Thai Taxi drivers to Blockage Malaysian border claiming new regulations will impact on their livelihoods and force them into poverty"

In related news Thailand raised fees for all foreigners living here.

[NongKhaiKid]

I don't know if there's a reciprocal 2 Km zone on the Thai side of the border but imagine the outcry if a Malaysian taxi driver took his passengers to Bkk.

[Rykbanlor]

Ah , the penny drops. Some companies we use to book transport to KL/Penang have been inconsistent in their service for the last few months, now I know why.

[tonbridgebrit]

Oh look, everybody.

The Malaysian taxi drivers don't want the Thai taxi drivers to compete against them for the fares beyond the 2 km zone. And the Malaysia government will probably support them by imposing the new charge.
Yes Malaysia, you don't want the cheaper Thai workers competing against your own workers, do you ?
Looks like Singapore has already attempted to reduce the cheaper Malaysia drivers going into Singapore to compete against the Singaporean drivers.

Actually, lots of people don't really want a large stack of cheap foreign labour turning up to compete against their own workers. Yes, government, that's what you're suppose to do, protect your own people from having to compete against cheap foreign labour.

And they want to bring in the new charges from around January, 2015. Yes, 2015, important year that. That's the year ASEAN supposedly enters into a new and important phase.

ASEAN, some people think that you're trying to copy the European Union. But you're not really, are you ? It's just some newspapers are making it look like that you are going to be a copy of the European Union.

[apetley]

Personally have doubts that ASEAN's 2015 planned further integration will be a roaring success reading things like this.

Edited September 10, 2014 by apetley

[trainman34014]

Thai drivers breaking the rules ? Surely never !

[Thai at Heart]

Well, its either legal or it isn't, irrespective of income of domestic drivers.

[trogers]

Oh look, everybody.

The Malaysian taxi drivers don't want the Thai taxi drivers to compete against them for the fares beyond the 2 km zone. And the Malaysia government will probably support them by imposing the new charge.

Yes Malaysia, you don't want the cheaper Thai workers competing against your own workers, do you ?

Looks like Singapore has already attempted to reduce the cheaper Malaysia drivers going into Singapore to compete against the Singaporean drivers.

Actually, lots of people don't really want a large stack of cheap foreign labour turning up to compete against their own workers. Yes, government, that's what you're suppose to do, protect your own people from having to compete against cheap foreign labour.

And they want to bring in the new charges from around January, 2015. Yes, 2015, important year that. That's the year ASEAN supposedly enters into a new and important phase.

ASEAN, some people think that you're trying to copy the European Union. But you're not really, are you ? It's just some newspapers are making it look like that you are going to be a copy of the European Union.

I believe Singapore imposes the new charges to close the gap on cost of vehicle ownerships, and not cheaper cost of drivers.

[chotthee]

Personally have doubts that ASEAN's 2015 planned further integration will be a roaring success reading things like this.

ASEAN integration? Hahaha.

Border less trade? Freedom of movement? Integrated logistic?

Edited September 10, 2014 by chotthee

[tonbridgebrit]

Oh look, everybody.

The Malaysian taxi drivers don't want the Thai taxi drivers to compete against them for the fares beyond the 2 km zone. And the Malaysia government will probably support them by imposing the new charge.

Yes Malaysia, you don't want the cheaper Thai workers competing against your own workers, do you ?

Looks like Singapore has already attempted to reduce the cheaper Malaysia drivers going into Singapore to compete against the Singaporean drivers.

Actually, lots of people don't really want a large stack of cheap foreign labour turning up to compete against their own workers. Yes, government, that's what you're suppose to do, protect your own people from having to compete against cheap foreign labour.

And they want to bring in the new charges from around January, 2015. Yes, 2015, important year that. That's the year ASEAN supposedly enters into a new and important phase.

ASEAN, some people think that you're trying to copy the European Union. But you're not really, are you ? It's just some newspapers are making it look like that you are going to be a copy of the European Union.

I believe Singapore imposes the new charges to close the gap on cost of vehicle ownerships, and not cheaper cost of drivers.

'Trogers', I think you're right.

So, ASEAN is 'NOT about freedom of movement of cheap labour within it's member nations'.

AND, it's also 'NOT about freedom of movement of cars and vehicles within it's member nations'.

So, the big difference in labour costs and car prices within ASEAN countries will probably continue.

What about the cost of women ? Should the richer nations in ASEAN, like Singapore and Malaysia, should they stop freedom of women ? After all, foreign women in Singapore and Malaysia are competing against the local women. And what about all those women from Laos, Cambodia and Burma, turning up in Thailand, and competing against the local Thai women ?

Actually, Singapore. What about those Singaporean men who turn up in Thailand and Malaysia ? And Malaysian men who turn up in Thailand ? Should these men be restricted with special taxes if they try to import women back to Singapore or Malaysia ?

[ParadiseLost]

The deal is most likely already done - the only thing left to decide is how much they can get away with charging. No resistance will be met from the Thai side as naturally there will be a reciprocal charge for Malaysian vehicles entering Thailand.

A new tax is born, how nice...

[rickirs]

Of course this is only a proposal. More diplomatic options, especially with the upcoming ASEAN Community and peacetalks involving the Muslim Malaysians in South Thailand , may prevail with alternatives to address the problem than imposing a VEP on all Thai vehicles.

Simple enforcement of the existing priviledge comes to mind as the most apparent process using check points located just beyond the two km point inside the Malaysian border. Any Thai taxi or van identified at that point will be banned from Malaysia border crossing and/or heavily fined. If a fine is imposed and cannot be paid immediately, the vehicle will be left as collateral and the offender can take a Malaysian taxi back to the border.

[laocowboy2]

Just the sort of thing that the AEC needs :-(

[Sena Dave]

Petrol is very much cheaper in Malaysia than it is in Thailand (subsidized). The gas stations near the border have "Guards" making sure no Thai vehicle fills up and then disappears back into Thailnd. I'd say Any toll would have something to do with that

[kleelof]

I don't know if there's a reciprocal 2 Km zone on the Thai side of the border but imagine the outcry if a Malaysian taxi driver took his passengers to Bkk.

The come at least as far as Hatyai which is about 40km from the border.

[tonbridgebrit]

Petrol is very much cheaper in Malaysia than it is in Thailand (subsidized). The gas stations near the border have "Guards" making sure no Thai vehicle fills up and then disappears back into Thailnd. I'd say Any toll would have something to do with that

And once ASEAN 2015 kicks in, no way is Malaysia going to scrap it's heavily subsidized fuel for it's own people. The Malaysian government wants to look after it's own people. And no way are they going to allow Thai people to buy the cheap fuel.

What about Thailand ? Will Thailand draft in similar heavy subsidies for fuel ? Is the Thai junta going to copy the Malaysian government ? Maybe not, if the junta did, then it will be criticised for carrying out a populist policy.

So, Malaysia is going to continue to carry out populist policies, policies that are popular with the people. But Thailand, NO, Thailand will probably not carry out such a populist policy.

[doctorproc156]

Petrol is very much cheaper in Malaysia than it is in Thailand (subsidized). The gas stations near the border have "Guards" making sure no Thai vehicle fills up and then disappears back into Thailnd. I'd say Any toll would have something to do with that

And once ASEAN 2015 kicks in, no way is Malaysia going to scrap it's heavily subsidized fuel for it's own people. The Malaysian government wants to look after it's own people. And no way are they going to allow Thai people to buy the cheap fuel.

What about Thailand ? Will Thailand draft in similar heavy subsidies for fuel ? Is the Thai junta going to copy the Malaysian government ? Maybe not, if the junta did, then it will be criticised for carrying out a populist policy.

So, Malaysia is going to continue to carry out populist policies, policies that are popular with the people. But Thailand, NO, Thailand will probably not carry out such a populist policy.

Malaysia will stop subsidizing fuel soon, since they will be a net oil importer in just 2 years. The fuel subsidies will be compensated with cheap cars around 1/3 of their current prices, massive improvements to public transport are also being carried out, on the order of around 2 trillion baht.

[NongKhaiKid]

I don't know if there's a reciprocal 2 Km zone on the Thai side of the border but imagine the outcry if a Malaysian taxi driver took his passengers to Bkk.

The come at least as far as Hatyai which is about 40km from the border.

Thanks for that. Do you have any idea if there's a zone limitation ?

[Sena Dave]

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Petrol is very much cheaper in Malaysia than it is in Thailand (subsidized). The gas stations near the border have "Guards" making sure no Thai vehicle fills up and then disappears back into Thailnd. I'd say Any toll would have something to do with that

And once ASEAN 2015 kicks in, no way is Malaysia going to scrap it's heavily subsidized fuel for it's own people. The Malaysian government wants to look after it's own people. And no way are they going to allow Thai people to buy the cheap fuel.

What about Thailand ? Will Thailand draft in similar heavy subsidies for fuel ? Is the Thai junta going to copy the Malaysian government ? Maybe not, if the junta did, then it will be criticised for carrying out a populist policy.

So, Malaysia is going to continue to carry out populist policies, policies that are popular with the people. But Thailand, NO, Thailand will probably not carry out such a populist policy.

Malaysia will stop subsidizing fuel soon, since they will be a net oil importer in just 2 years. The fuel subsidies will be compensated with cheap cars around 1/3 of their current prices, massive improvements to public transport are also being carried out, on the order of around 2 trillion baht.

Ye the just did 140Bn Bt on Pedang basar ,Ipoh double track , Johor -Gams will start soon and 500BN Bt on Klang valley metro. They have Part time policemen at the gas stations near the border. Quite lucrative business getting it across the border to Thailand

[tonbridgebrit]

Petrol is very much cheaper in Malaysia than it is in Thailand (subsidized). The gas stations near the border have "Guards" making sure no Thai vehicle fills up and then disappears back into Thailnd. I'd say Any toll would have something to do with that

And once ASEAN 2015 kicks in, no way is Malaysia going to scrap it's heavily subsidized fuel for it's own people. The Malaysian government wants to look after it's own people. And no way are they going to allow Thai people to buy the cheap fuel.

What about Thailand ? Will Thailand draft in similar heavy subsidies for fuel ? Is the Thai junta going to copy the Malaysian government ? Maybe not, if the junta did, then it will be criticised for carrying out a populist policy.

So, Malaysia is going to continue to carry out populist policies, policies that are popular with the people. But Thailand, NO, Thailand will probably not carry out such a populist policy.

Malaysia will stop subsidizing fuel soon, since they will be a net oil importer in just 2 years. The fuel subsidies will be compensated with cheap cars around 1/3 of their current prices, massive improvements to public transport are also being carried out, on the order of around 2 trillion baht.

"Compensated with cheap cars around 1/3 of their current prices". well, if it does happen, it will be a big compensation for the future higher fuel prices.

Let's get back to taxes on cars. Basically, the different ASEAN countries are certainly going to carry on have different amounts of tax on car prices. Whatever car we're talking about, the price will be more expensive in Singapore than in other ASEAN countries.

ASEAN does NOT mean freedom of movement of cars within ASEAN, cars crossing borders to be sold (or for long term personal use) will be subjected to whatever tax. If they do end up having much cheaper cars in Malaysia, no way are Thais going to be allowed to buy a car in Malaysia AND bring it back to Thailand.

Now, in Europe. You CAN buy a car in Holland or Belgium, and you CAN take it back to England on the ferry !! ASEAN is not the same as the European Union !!

[Sena Dave]

I think Malaysia may be dropping their import tax on foreign cars . You can buy a death trap Proton for about 300,000 baht