The Prime Minister has invited Malaysian private businesses to invest in potential development projects in Thailand’s southern border provinces.
Thai Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha discussed bilateral trade, infrastructure and security with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at Government House on February 25, 2022. The Malaysian premier is currently on an official visit to Thailand from February 24-26, 2022.
The two leaders discussed strengthening economic development to improve the livelihoods of people in Thailand’s deep south and Malaysia’s northern states. Gen Prayut also used the occasion to elaborate on Thailand’s efforts and policies for addressing the situation in the southern border provinces. Prime Minister Ismail in turn reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to supporting Thailand’s efforts in resolving the situation peacefully, including by pursuing dialogue in talks facilitated by Malaysia.
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to expediting pending border connectivity projects, such as the Road Alignment Linking CIQ Sadao – ICQS Bukit Kayu Hitam and the construction of two new bridges across the Golok River in Narathiwat province, to encourage trade, investment and tourism.
Gen Prayut reaffirmed the enthusiasm of the Thai people in welcoming Malaysian visitors to Thailand in accordance with public health precautions. He also said he hoped that two-way quarantine-free travel between the two nations for fully vaccinated travelers would enhance the cross-border mobility of Thai and Malaysian citizens.
The Malaysian Prime Minister agreed to continue discussions on the opening of border checkpoints in order to ensure continued product while boosting transit and border trade. He also agreed to look into the possibility of two-way quarantine-free travel between the two countries.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the related ministries and agencies of the two countries would hold discussions to reopen the border soon via Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) and Thailand’s Test & Go scheme.
“For a start, we can implement the Air VTL between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok for travellers who are fully vaccinated. We will also consider adding other destinations in future,” the PM said. The VTL scheme will also extend to land borders via Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao and all international border checkpoints in the north of the peninsula and southern Thailand and the sea VTL between Langkawi and Satun.”
Vaccinated Travel Lanes are up and running, linking Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Brunei is in the pipeline, and discussions are on the way to establishing a Malaysia – Thailand VTL. The Brunei VTL will boost Sarawak tourism, especially to Miri, Limbang and Lawas all close to Brunei.
