New visa regulation ‘hurting’ Songkhla tourism industry

SONGKHLA: A new visa requirement for tourists who frequently travel to Thailand by road or rail is causing a steep decline in visitors from Singapore to this southern province, local tour agencies say.

The regulation affects nationals of countries other than those immediately adjoining Thailand. If it is their third trip or more to the country within one year they must obtain a visa in advance.

The requirement does not apply to repeat visitors who travel by plane or ship.

“The ministerial regulation has not had much impact on Malaysians but it does affect Singaporeans, who are the main visitors to Songkhla, as well as Indonesians, whose numbers were increasing,” said Anuwat Phetwarothai, owner of AS Tour Co in Hat Yai district.

Tourism in Hat Yai is being negatively affected with hotels, restaurants, tour guides and tour coach companies all suffering, he said yesterday.

“Singaporean tourists are the main customers [of shops and restaurants] in Hat Yai and Songkhla. More arrive on buses than on planes. They visit as families, making merit, relaxing and shopping,” Mr Anuwat added.

At least 10 firms operate bus services between Hat Yai and Singapore, with daily departures from the bustling Thai city at around 1pm and 6pm. About 10 buses leave Hat Yai a day and the same number arrive from Singapore. The fare is about 900 baht.

The cost of a tourist visa for Thailand is at about S$60 (1,480 baht).

Mr Anuwat said the buses used to be packed and a Singaporean visitor would spend about 3,500 baht a day in Hat Yai. He estimated total daily spending by Singaporeans who travel there at 26 million baht per month.

Local tour guide Withaya Sae Lim said the average Singaporean tourist stays up to five days and makes 15 trips there a year. But their numbers have plummeted by 60% since the new visa system was introduced, he said.

The new regulation is also affecting Indonesian tourists who arrive by land. Before their numbers were rising but now they are declining, Mr Anuwat added.

Panu Woramit, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for Hat Yai, said the new regulation, introduced in December, has only had a “slight” impact on the city.