Songkhla: Songkhla is preparing to welcome the Prime Minister, who will preside over the opening of the new Sadao Customs checkpoint. The Commander of the 4th Army Region, together with the Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPC) and the Governor of Songkhla Province, inspected the area to prepare for the Prime Minister's visit. The Prime Minister will officially open the new Sadao Customs checkpoint, aiming to boost the Thai-Malaysian border economy, promoting trade, exports, and tourism. According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant General Norathip Poynok, Commander of the 4th Army Region, Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavarangkul, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), and Mr. Ratsasart Chidchu, Governor of Songkhla Province, visited the area to hold a meeting to monitor the readiness for the opening of the new Sadao Customs checkpoint. The meeting was attended by the Sadao District Chief, heads of government departments, representatives from various agencies, military and police personnel, and local administrative organizations in the area. Lieutenant General Norathip Poynok, Chairman of the meeting, revealed the results of his meeting with Malaysian leaders. He highlighted the preparations for the reopening of the new Thai-Malaysian border crossing (Sadao Customs checkpoint) as a key topic of discussion, and considered it a good opportunity for the two governments to work together to develop bilateral relations. The meeting also reported that Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Malaysia on July 9, 2026, to hold a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss several issues, including the opening of the new Sadao customs checkpoint. It is expected that on July 10, 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the Malaysian leader will officially open this checkpoint together. The new Sadao Customs checkpoint now has completed its infrastructure and road connections to Malaysia, along with the completion of updates to relevant Customs Department laws. Therefore, Songkhla Province commenced export customs procedures at the checkpoint on May 27, 2026. The new Sadao Customs checkpoint is a strategically important point for Thailand's export trade. It is adjacent to the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Kedah state, Malaysia, and is close to Malaysia's deep-sea ports, which can connect trade to Mae Sai, Mae Sot districts, and southern China. This land border crossing is projected to see 6.49 million tourists in 2025, and has already received 3.78 million tourists from 2026 to the present. Mr. Piyasiri Wattanavarangkul, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), inquired about the traffic congestion problem at the Sadao border crossing, which has recently drawn media attention and criticism, particularly during the recent long holiday weekend. He asked what measures the relevant agencies are taking to manage this issue. Mr. Ratsasart Chidchu, Governo r of Songkhla Province, explained that the incident occurred because the Sadao border crossing has seen an increase in tourists, especially during festivals and long holidays. Most tourists tend to return home simultaneously on Sundays (the end of long holidays), causing congestion for vehicles and tourists during peak hours. However, the province has coordinated with Malaysian authorities to help publicize to tourists the importance of planning their return journeys in stages and avoiding mass travel on the last day of long holidays. Furthermore, the Sadao District Chief has been instructed to establish "waiting areas" in case of traffic congestion, providing amenities such as parking spaces, suitable waiting areas, food and water, mobile toilets, medical first aid stations, and ensuring the safety and comfort of tourists. The meeting also prepared and assigned tasks for welcoming the Prime Minister, emphasizing the ceremonial procedures for the opening ceremony, venue preparation, traffic management, secur ity systems, and the responsibilities of related agencies to ensure a smooth opening ceremony at the new Sadao Customs checkpoint, building confidence and a positive image for both countries. Following the meeting, the Commander of the 4th Army Region led a delegation to visit the new Sadao Customs checkpoint and the Prime Minister's reception area. This is expected to take place on July 10th. The new Sadao Customs House is located on Kanchanavanich Road, Samnak Kham Subdistrict, Sadao District, Songkhla Province, within the Songkhla Special Economic Zone. The project covers an area of 596 rai, 1 ngan, and 18 square wah. Construction began on May 31, 2016, with a budget of 1,532.07 million baht. The main building was completed on September 28, 2019, and comprises office buildings, a cargo inspection building, a passenger and vehicle terminal, and residential buildings. In terms of facilities and technology, the airport has 11 vehicle inspection lanes on each side, 14 immigration lanes on each side, and a ca rgo terminal with 8 inspection lanes per arrival and departure for cargo trucks. It is equipped with modern inspection technology, including two Fast Scan X-ray systems and two cargo truck weighing systems. Regarding legal and regulatory progress, work is being carried out in two key areas: 1) Amendments to Customs Department Announcement No. 21/2561 dated January 21, 2018, concerning the time limits for transporting goods into and out of land borders via approved routes, for which the Sadao Customs checkpoint is the responsible agency. This amendment has been completed, with the Director-General of Customs Department signing the announcement and its publication in the Royal Gazette. This is Customs Department Announcement No. 229/2568, concerning the time limits for transporting goods into and out of land borders via approved routes (Edition 8), dated December 19, 2025. 2) The preparation of announcements regarding the opening and closing of border crossings to accommodate the closure of existing borders an d the opening of new borders, which falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior and the Office of the National Security Council, is currently being expedited.
