Revolutionising borders: Thai and Malaysian prime ministers unveil mega checkpoint for trade and tourism

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim orchestrated a historic agreement this week, with plans to improve border trade through the new Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province.

The leaders converged at the customs office of the newly minted Sadao border checkpoint on November 27 with both governments pledging to turbocharge road access to the Thai side of the border. The move aims to propel cross-border trade and travel, rendering the obsolete old Sadao checkpoint an inconvenience of the past.

Amidst the buzz, Government House disclosed that on the Malaysian front, a seamless road connection will materialize, linking the new Sadao checkpoint with the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Malaysia’s Kedah state. This infrastructure evolution promises to supercharge trade and tourism between the two nations.

But that’s not all. The visionary leaders established joint task forces, geared to synchronize efforts in the realms of border trade, tourism, agriculture, and security. Prime Minister Srettha, in a bold diplomatic move, urged Malaysia to host a Joint Trade Commission meeting, advocating for commerce ministers to brainstorm solutions and dissolve any bilateral trade obstacles.

The Thai premier, in a fervent plea, implored Malaysia’s swift action in crafting a memorandum of understanding for the seamless cross-border transport of goods. This strategic initiative aims to smoothen the operations of the avant-garde Sadao checkpoint.

In another diplomatic overture, the Bangkok-born PM urged Ibrahim to champion collaboration between Thai and Malaysian chambers of commerce, amplifying efforts to foster trade, tourism, and developmental initiatives in border areas. An evident gap in Thai visitors’ access to public transport on the Malaysian side was highlighted, a concern the 61 year old Thai PM seeks to address through cooperative efforts, reported Bangkok Post.

Trade relations

The Thai leader sought Malaysia’s backing for the establishment of a Halal department, underlining the importance of catering to cultural and religious sensitivities in trade relations.

Security concerns also took centre stage, with both leaders vowing to join forces against wildlife trafficking along their shared border. A united front in combating illicit activities seeks to fortify the security apparatus in the region.

The two prime ministers committed to expediting the construction of their respective sections of the second Sungai Kolok bridge, a visionary project designed to link the Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat with the Malaysian town of Rantau Panjang.

Post-meeting, PM Srettha expressed his determination to elevate border trade with Malaysia, setting a lofty goal of achieving a staggering bilateral trade value of US$30 million by 2025. His optimism reverberated as the Thai prime minister envisaged the completion of Thai and Malaysian road access to the new Sadao border checkpoint, marking a pivotal moment in 2025 for regional connectivity.