GEORGE TOWN – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has mooted the idea of promoting inter-border travel between southern Thai provinces and northern Malaysia once both countries have largely managed the Covid-19 crisis.
TAT Malaysia/Brunei director Nongyao Jirundorn told The Vibes that the proposal was made by Thailand to its Malaysian counterparts recently as part of the gradual reopening of borders between both neighbours in the Asean region.
The northern states are believed to be Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Kelantan, which share land borders with the Land of Smiles.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, residents born in those four states did not need a passport to enter southern Thailand, namely the southernmost provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
They were allowed to apply for border passes to enter the four provinces, as many have relatives and friends living across the border.
However, since the Covid-19 pandemic began and borders were shut, Putrajaya and Bangkok have decided to review this agreement.
Back then, Hatyai and the cross-border satellite townships of Danok and Sg Golok were perennial tourism haunts for many Malaysians, including those in the Klang Valley.
Speaking during the three-day Thai food and products showcase at the Thai consulate here, Nongyao said that TAT is waiting for the borders to be reopened so it can launch packages with the Thai travel industry to allow Malaysians to revisit the kingdom.
Malaysians used to be among the top travellers visiting Thailand for decades until Covid-19 emerged last year, causing a standstill in the global leisure industry.
“Since July 1 this year, Thailand started to reopen Phuket in a campaign called Phuket Sandbox. On July 15, the isles of Ko Samui-Ko Pha Ngan-Ko Tao also opened under the campaign Samui Plus. Then, the Phuket Sandbox 7+7 Extension was introduced.
“This means that tourists can stay seven nights in Phuket. After which, another seven nights in selected areas in Krabi, Phang-Nga or Surat Thani. They can then travel to other destinations in Thailand, too,” she said.
Nongyao said that many cities will gradually reopen to foreign tourists, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan next month.
She voiced her hope that by next year, her country will be fully opened once more for tourists, including those from Malaysia, adding that every visitor must adhere to Covid-19 testing and guidelines to ensure public safety.
Similarly, she added that all tourists must practise safety and hygiene protocols, even if they are fully vaccinated.
Nongyao also advised travellers searching for hotels and facilities in her country to look for those certified by the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA), as it is on a par with the global World Travel Council’s safe travels, global health and hygiene standard protocols.
The certificate guarantees that public health measures are adhered to and more than 70% of its staffers have been vaccinated, she said. – The Vibes, September 20, 2021
