Songkhla pushes for cruise terminal to boost tourism

The Songkhla Tourism Association is calling for government intervention to boost tourism by constructing a cruise ship terminal and introducing direct flights from Chinese cities to Hat Yai.

President of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association Songchai Mungprasithichai announced plans to seek government support for direct flights to Hat Yai, proposing routes such as Kunming-Hat Yai to attract more Chinese tourists to the province.

The association is also advocating for greater investment in nautical transportation, including a cruise terminal in the Gulf of Thailand.

This terminal aims to alleviate road congestion along the Thai-Malaysian border between Sadao district and Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia, while also promoting tourism growth in Songkhla and neighbouring regions like Koh Samui, Krabi, and Phuket.

“As cruises to Koh Samui in Surat Thani need to pass the Gulf of Thailand in Songkhla, investing in a cruise terminal will benefit Songkhla’s tourism business as most foreign visitors on cruises have high purchasing power.”

Local businesses are eager for alternative transport options and a wider range of international tourists visiting the area.

The initiative aims to safeguard the tourism sector in Songkhla, particularly Hat Yai, from potential downturns as visitor numbers from Malaysia and Singapore have declined during recent rainy seasons.

In Phatthalung province, Kwanjai Klabsuksai, owner of Suan Phai Kwanjai Market in Khuan Khanun district, noted that most foreign clients visiting her bamboo garden agrotourism site are Malaysian. Her bamboo plantation sees at least nine buses or 10 vans daily, excluding private cars.

Malaysians represent the largest proportion of foreign visitors to Phatthalung, accounting for at least 80% of the total, followed by European and Chinese tourists.

However, Jarun Kaewjeesub, president of the Phatthalung Tourism Association, pointed out that cars with foreign licence plates, especially Malaysian tour buses, are still restricted from travelling beyond Songkhla due to visa regulations. This issue persists despite a petition submitted to the government in 2014.

The Prime Minister’s Permanent Secretary Office had previously responded to Songkhla authorities’ request to allow Malaysian tour buses to travel to 14 southern provinces, but no regulations were enacted, reported Bangkok Post.

That effort was paused as Malaysia is currently drafting a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on similar matters with Thai authorities.