UP to 500,000 Malaysians are expected to visit Thailand this month, according to the Thailand-Southeast Asia Halal Trade and Tourism Association.
According to reports in Kosmo, its president Aida Oujeh said they are expected to enter Thailand via various land routes between Dec 21 and Dec 31.
Data from the association revealed that approximately 4.6 million Malaysians visited Thailand this year.
"Tourists fully book hotel rooms in tourist hotspots like Hatyai, most of whom are Malaysians visiting the largest city in southern Thailand," said Aida.
She said a total of 30,000 rooms in Hatyai and Songkhla province have been completely booked for the Christmas holiday season and the New Year celebrations in 2025.
Checks by Kosmo revealed that popular tourist areas like Lee Garden have become a "Little Malaysia," with many Malaysian visitors speaking in Bahasa Malaysia.
Other notable tourist spots such as the Sea Verse, Khlong Hae Floating Market and the Asean Night Bazaar are also crowded with Malaysian tourists.
Aida also said that the flooding in southern Thailand had fully recovered and no longer affected tourist hotspots.
A Malaysian tourist is estimated to spend at least RM600 during their visit to Thailand. - December 25, 2024
