Loke: Thai tour buses may enter Malaysia
Thailand-based tour bus operators planning to bring tourists into Malaysia must get approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.
These operators are required to apply for temporary permits before entering Malaysia.
“The government has recently decided to allow Thai tour buses to enter Malaysia to bring in foreign tourists. They can enter the country via Kelantan and other state borders, but they must apply for temporary permits first before they can travel into this country,” Loke said.
However, Thai van operators are prohibited from entering Malaysia to prevent disruptions to the express bus industry.
Loke said this ban would remain in place due to concerns about these operators picking up local passengers and even transporting them to Kuala Lumpur upon entering Malaysia.
Speaking after launching Phase 1 of Sultan Ismail Petra airport’s extension project here yesterday, Loke emphasised the importance of promoting Kelantan to Thai tourists.
He urged the state government to capitalise on this opportunity by organising promotional campaigns in Thailand and offering attractive tourism packages to attract Thai visitors.
“With this approval, we have suggested that the state government carry out its promotional programmes in Thailand as much as they can.”
Loke also noted that with the completion of the airport projects, Kelantan would see increased air traffic, positioning it as one of the busiest airports in the region.
Despite not being an international airport, Kelantan has become increasingly popular among foreign travellers in recent times.
Present at the event was state Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin.
On a separate matter, Loke said the federal government welcomed any airline companies operating in the country’s airports that wished to provide international flights.
Loke said there would not be a problem for the government as all airports had sufficient facilities.
“However, the operators must first get approval from the authorities.”
On another issue, Loke said the extension of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport’s runway from 2,400m to 2,800m would be included in Phase Two of its upgrading project. He said he would discuss the additional cost for the project with the Finance Ministry.
He said the extension of the airport’s runway would not take a long time as it did not require a tender process.
“In my meeting with the menteri besar today (yesterday), I brought good news to the state and its people.
“The government is confident that the project will be carried out smoothly and bring more traffic and international flights to Kelantan.”
Loke said a meeting between the ministry and the contractor would be held soon.