Thailand wants all entry points at Thailand-Malaysia land border to reopen by May 1 | Malaysia

BANGKOK, March 23 (Reuters) – In a bid to boost its tourism industry, particularly in southern provinces, Thailand is working closely with relevant authorities to reopen all entry points at the land border with Malaysia by May 1.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the ministry will propose to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to reopen more entry points between the two countries.

“We plan to gradually open more checkpoints in Narathiwat, Yala and Satun connecting Malaysia to boost tourism in the southern provinces. We expect all Thai-Malaysian checkpoints to reopen by May 1st.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss with the Malaysian authorities measures to be implemented at the border checkpoints to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he was quoted as saying by the English portal. The nation here today.

Currently, the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) in Songkhla is open to tourists entering the Kingdom. However, the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Point at Bukit Kayu Hitam on the Malaysian side is scheduled to open by April 1.

In addition, Hat Yai International Airport is scheduled to welcome international tourists from April 1.

Malaysian tourists were the Kingdom’s largest group of visitors prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million visitors, including 4.1 million Malaysian tourists.

During the recent official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to Thailand on February 25, Malaysia and Thailand had reached an agreement in principle to allow quarantine-free travel by air, land and sea via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) and Test & Introduce Go programs .

Ismail Sabri said related ministries and agencies would hold talks on procedures to reopen the shared borders.

Malaysia is expected to reopen its borders from April 1 as the country enters the “endemic transition” phase after considering several factors, completing the necessary risk assessments, seeking advice from the Ministry of Health and considering the Quartet’s recommendations has ministers. — Bernama