News Forum - Local businesses still struggling after opening of Thai-Malaysia border, say high entry fees are to blame

[Thaiger]

The reopening of the Thai-Malaysian border on April 1 raised the hopes of local people who thought the move would boost the local economy in southern Thailand’s border region. However, things seem to be moving slowly as one merchant in the area said she had only two Malaysian customers since the border’s reopening. The shop owner said that the entry fees are between 5,000-7,000 baht which is too expensive for most Malaysian travellers. The Thai-Malaysian border at Sadao Border Checkpoint in the southern province Songkla was reopened on April 1. Vaccinated travellers can enter by land via the checkpoint under […]

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[Pompies]

The minister can clarify all he likes but the fact remains that there are notable costs and administrative hassles before entering Thailand, and these have severely limited arrivals. And there will be almost no arrivals until these hurdles are removed. Geddit Mr Minster?

[Ramanathan.P]

Unless the "Test & Go" is completely scrapped, all the border towns will be deprived of any business....the golden opportunity is from 29th April till 8th May where there is a long festival holiday in Malaysia. If the "test & Go" is completely scrapped, I can bet, there will be a sudden influx of travelers crossing over to Thailand from South to North and I will be the first in the Q.....

Edited April 11, 2022 by Ramanathan.P

[Poolie]

5 minutes ago, Pompies said:

The minister can clarify all he likes but the fact remains that there are notable costs and administrative hassles before entering Thailand, and these have severely limited arrivals. And there will be almost no arrivals until these hurdles are removed. Geddit Mr Minster?

Apart from the 11,000 arriving daily of course.

[Guest1]

Assumingly the usual "short time" visitors aren't willing to pay that "entrance fee"?

[JJJ]

8 minutes ago, Ramanathan.P said:

Unless the "Test & Go" is completely scrapped, all the border towns will be deprived of any business....the golden opportunity is from 29th April till 8th May where there is a long festival holiday in Malaysia. If the "test & Go" is completely scrapped, I can bet, there will be a sudden influx of travelers crossing over to Thailand from South to North and I will be the first in the Q.....

Of course there’s even less reason for all the Thai Pass hassle at the border compared to air travel.  Someone in the south is much more likely to be infected by someone coming from Bangkok (no testing or pass needed) than someone entering the border from northern Malaysia. What a joke. 

The fact that he dismissed her concern by saying how the 5,000 baht bought pointless hotel stay and pcr test shows the government simply doesn’t care about tourist businesses or making it easier for tourists to visit Thailand.

Tourists have voted with their feet—and going to places other than Thailand.  

[Samtrio]

I wonder if this minister lives in twilight zone; or he is delusional. some1 should educate'm that the entry rules they made caused economy havoc....wake up...u still asleep!!!!!

[Ramanathan.P]

18 hours ago, Guest1 said:

Assumingly the usual "short time" visitors aren't willing to pay that "entrance fee"?

The "entrance fee" is extremely high for the usual "short time" visitor