Thailand plans to reopen border with Malaysia

BANGKOK: Thailand is planning to reopen its border with Malaysia in March, after being closed for about two years.

The reopening of the border with Malaysia is expected to stimulate its tourism sector and the economy in the deep southern provinces.

Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said Prime Minister Prayut Chan o Cha had ordered authorities, including the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), to come up with pandemic mitigation measures for the reopening.

According to a Bangkok Post report, she said the border checkpoints in Songkhla, Yala, Narathiwat and Satun would be reopened.

The border reopening with Malaysia follows a government policy to start a travel bubble with its southern neighbour, which will allow tourists from the country to enter Thailand under the Test and Go scheme with no quarantine upon arrival.

Malaysians entering via the border checkpoints still need to pass two RT-PCR tests after their arrival in the country.

Rachada said: “The prime minister is confident that Thailand will remain one of the world’s top tourist destinations despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The government will support efforts to revitalise tourism, with an emphasis on public health and safety.”

The Covid-19 situation in both countries are said to be similar with both recording more than 20,000 cases on Saturday.

Thailand registered 26 deaths and 14,900 new cases on Sunday.

Since the pandemic started in early 2020, Thailand’s total cases are 2,609,209, including 369,892 cases this year.

The total death toll stands at 22,462.

Prior to the reopening, Thai government agencies will prepare immigration processes and testing, and ensure hotels and businesses operate in a Covidfree setting.

This includes public transport, tourism sites, restaurants and department stores.