Malaysian tourists boost Thailand’s economy by 100 million baht

The recent influx of tourists to Thailand’s southern region during Malaysia’s National Day, known as Merdeka Day, is poised to inject approximately 100 million baht into the local economy.

Over 13,000 Malaysian tourists crossed into Songkhla through the Sadao checkpoint yesterday, August 31, with an additional 5,000 arriving via the Betong checkpoint in Yala, according to local officials. The substantial number of visitors prompted the opening of two extra lanes at the Sadao checkpoint to manage the increased traffic.

Local officials also reported that many Malaysian tourists entered Thailand through the Padang Besar and Prakob checkpoints. This visitor surge is anticipated to significantly boost the local economy, contributing around 100 million baht (US$2.9 million) during their stay.

Songchai Mungprasitthichai, chairman of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, projected that Malaysian tourists would spend between 7,000 and 8,000 baht (US$145 to 235) per person, generating a substantial economic impact. However, he pointed out a marked decline in tourist numbers compared to a decade ago, indicating that the current visitor count during Merdeka Day is 10 times lower than in previous years.

Witthaya Sae Lim, a tour guide in Songkhla, observed that many Malaysian visitors are budget-conscious and spend minimally, often foregoing tour guide services, reported Bangkok Post.

Hotel operators in Yala’s Betong reported that about 95% of the more than 4,000 available rooms were booked ahead of the holiday. This high occupancy rate is expected to bring the local community 10 million baht (US$293,730).

In related news, Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives.

According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 4.27 million in 2019.