Thai and Malaysian Prime Ministers officially open the new road connecting the Sadao border crossing and Bukit Kayu Hitam.

The Prime Ministers of Thailand and Malaysia officially inaugurated the new Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border crossing road, opening a new economic gateway across the border to connect trade, investment, and travel.

On July 10, 2569 at 10.30:XNUMX a.m. Ms. Rachada Thanadirek, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office. revealed that Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior together with Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He presided over the official opening ceremony of the road connecting the new Sadao Customs checkpoint with the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint, marking a significant step in Thai-Malaysian cooperation in upgrading border infrastructure to facilitate travel for citizens and businesses of both countries.

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office said This connecting road will be open to the public and businesses for travel and goods transportation from July 11, 2569 onwards, after two countries jointly pushed the project for many years, resulting in the complete connection of customs checkpoints on both sides.

During the opening ceremony, the Prime Ministers of both countries passed through the customs gates on both sides and shook hands at the midpoint of the checkpoint, symbolizing the strong friendship and cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia. Following this, the Malaysian Prime Minister invited the Thai Prime Minister to the Malaysian side to participate in the plaque unveiling ceremony and have lunch as the host country.

The Prime Minister thanked Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, for honoring the event by co-presiding over it, and praised the close cooperation in driving development in all areas, including the commitment to peace and economic development in the southern border provinces of Thailand and northern Malaysia, with the goal of creating new economic opportunities for the region.

The Prime Minister further stated that the new Sadao border crossing is not just infrastructure, but an “economic gateway” that will connect people, trade, and investment between the two countries more closely. The Sadao–Bukit Kayu Hitam border crossing is considered the most important border trade gateway between Thailand and Malaysia and is one of the main transportation routes in the region, facilitating the transport of goods, tourism, and travel between the two countries.

The government believes that once the connecting roads are fully operational, it will reduce congestion at border checkpoints, decrease waiting times and logistics costs, allowing businesses to export and import goods more quickly, enabling farmers to bring their produce to market more efficiently, and benefiting transportation, tourism, hotels, restaurants, and other services in border provinces from easier travel.

The Prime Minister also stated that, following formal discussions with the Malaysian Prime Minister yesterday, both sides agreed to accelerate the development of border connectivity in the Songkhla–Kedah, Satun–Perlis, and Narathiwat–Kelantan areas. This, coupled with the promotion of border economic zones and facilitation of customs and immigration, aims to increase economic opportunities for the people of both countries.

The government is confident that this investment in infrastructure and border connectivity will attract new investment, create jobs, increase income for local businesses, and improve the quality of life for people in border areas, while strengthening the two countries' long-term position as regional trade and logistics hubs.

Furthermore, Thailand and Malaysia jointly aim to expand trade value to US$30,000 billion. Trade through the Sadao border crossing alone accounts for over 80% of all Thai-Malaysian border trade, reflecting the area's role as a hub for trade and logistics between the two countries.

The Sadao border checkpoint is located in Samnak Kham Subdistrict, Sadao District, within the Songkhla Special Economic Zone. The project covers an area of ​​over 596 rai and features 11 vehicle inspection lanes on each side, 14 immigration lanes on each side, and a cargo terminal with 8 lanes per day for trucks. It is equipped with two Fast Scan X-ray systems and truck weighing scales to increase the speed and accuracy of goods clearance.

refer : www.thaigov.go.th

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