Thai PM to visit Malaysia ahead of Sadao checkpoint opening

The upcoming two-day visit will be Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s third trip to Malaysia since taking office. (EPA Images pic)

BANGKOK: Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul will undertake a two-day official visit to Malaysia from Thursday, ahead of the opening of the new permanent Sadao border checkpoint on July 11.

Government spokesman Ratchada Thanadirek said the visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reflected the two countries’ commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation and delivering concrete outcomes ahead of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.

She said Thailand’s cabinet had approved the opening of the new permanent Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla from July 11.

“The new checkpoint will replace the existing Sadao crossing,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

The new checkpoint will operate daily from 5am to 11pm (Thailand time).

The new Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex will be linked to Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah and is expected to improve the movement of goods and travellers between both countries.

Ratchada said the relevant agencies have been ordered to expedite supporting infrastructure projects, including connecting roads to improve traffic flow on the Thai side, measures to ease congestion around the checkpoint and the provision of shuttle bus services linking the checkpoint with inland areas.

She also said that the authorities would step up public awareness on the new traffic routes, customs and immigration procedures, as well as measures to facilitate cross-border trade and tourism for businesses and residents in the Dan Nok border community.

The visit will be Anutin’s third trip to Malaysia since becoming prime minister. He previously attended the Asean Summit and related summits in Kuala Lumpur in October last year before making an official visit on Nov 26.