Yesterday, we shared how Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a meeting in Melbourne, Australia where they discussed pressing matters involving the 2 countries.
These include tourism-related matters such as Thailand’s “6 Countries, 1 Destination” proposal, the rising cost of airfares and flight schedules, as well as working together to ensure seamless travel between Malaysia and Thailand via all borders.
Thailand plans to abolish arrival and departure cards for Malaysian travellers
Now, the Thai Prime Minister has revealed more matters that were discussed with Anwar, which include the country’s plans to abolish the requirement for travellers driving from Malaysia to fill out arrival and departure cards at all land borders between the two countries.
Taking to his official Facebook page, Srettha said that last year, Malaysian tourists were the highest number of foreign travellers who visited Thailand and hoped that by abolishing the requirement for arrival and departure cards, more tourists from Malaysia would visit the country this year.
Sadao checkpoint
Previously, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol announced that the country recorded the highest number of international tourists in Southeast Asia last year with 28.09 million visitors. A breakdown of the country’s 2023 tourism statistics revealed that over 4.6 million of those tourists are Malaysians, which is more than any other nationalities.
The 6-month exemption for T.M. 6 at the Sadao checkpoint has been super successful
T.M. 6 card for travellers coming into Thailand
If you’ve ever travelled to Thailand from Malaysia by driving a motor vehicle or riding a motorcycle, you’d be familiar with the arrival and departure cards, known as Tor Mor 6 (T.M.6).
All vehicles entering Thailand via its land borders must fill in T.M.6 and keep it with them until exiting, with those losing the card facing a hefty fine by Thai Immigration when exiting the country.
Sadao checkpoint
However, as procuring and filling up T.M. 6 takes time and could cause inconvenience for travellers from Malaysia, Thailand last year exempted the need for T.M. 6 for 6 months until 30 April 2024 if you’re crossing the border through the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla. For context, this is the border where you’ll go through if you exit Malaysia through Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah.
This initiative by Thailand has been successful, with the Thai Prime Minister noting that after exempting the T.M. 6 requirement at the Sadao checkpoint, the number of Malaysians visiting the country via the checkpoint has tripled from 10,000 to 30,000 on weekends.
Hence, that is why Thailand is planning to exempt the T.M. 6 requirement at all land borders with Malaysia too.
For illustration purposes
So, what do you guys think of the statement by Srettha? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: Anwar Meets With Thai PM, Discusses Initiative For Free Travel Between All Mainland ASEAN Nations
