The trend of Malaysians traveling to Southern Thailand during holidays shows no sign of slowing down, as approximately 100,000 Malaysians crossed the northern border for a getaway during the Hari Malaysia and Maulidur Rasul long weekend. The influx of tourists added a significant boost to the local tourism sector in Southern Thailand, particularly in popular areas like Hat Yai, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang, and Krabi.
According to BERNAMA, Sittipong Sitthipatprapha, President of the Hat Yai Songkhla Hotel Association, stated that more than 36,000 Malaysian tourists entered the Songkhla province on 14 September alone. The tourists arrived through various entry points, including Sadao, Ban Prakob, and Padang Besar, causing heavy traffic jams from as early as 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., especially around the Hat Yai area.
"Surveys conducted by authorities in Southern Thailand show that throughout this long weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday more than 100,000 tourists from Malaysia have visited Southern Thailand, particularly Hatyai and Songkhla, as well as neighboring provinces like Phatthalung, Trang, and Krabi," said Sittipong.
The surge in Malaysian visitors provided a massive boost to the local economy. Sittipong further revealed that over 400 hotels, comprising more than 30,000 rooms, were fully booked for the entire weekend. The influx of tourists is estimated to have generated more than 1 billion Baht (approximately RM129.5 million) in revenue for the local economy.
However, the number of tourists could have been higher if not for some setbacks. It was reported that 40 Malaysians were barred from leaving the country at the ICQS Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah due to various reasons. These incidents slightly impacted the overall number of tourists, but the turnout still marked a significant boost for Southern Thailand's tourism sector.
As Malaysian travelers continue to show a strong interest in visiting Southern Thailand during holidays, the tourism industry in the region can anticipate a promising season ahead.
