BANGKOK - Thailand has decided that starting November 1 till April 30 next year, visitors entering the country via the Sadao Immigration Checkpoint in Songkhla will be temporarily exempted from submitting the TM6 immigration form. This was to ease congestion during the tourist peak seasons.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang said the Cabinet today agreed to temporarily halt the need for foreigners, especially Malaysians to submit the departure and arrival card when crossing the Sadao Immigration Checkpoint.
Citing the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), he said it takes more than two hours to pass through the immigration checkpoint during travel peak season and long weekend holidays.
"Temporarily exempting foreigners from submitting the TM6 form will speed up the immigration process, reduce congestion at the checkpoints, improve Thailand's image, and promote tourism in the region. This will help stimulate the country's economy,” he said in a statement.
He added that the immigration statistics showed an average of 100,000 Malaysians crossing the Sadao Immigration Checkpoint every month this year.
Karom said Malaysian tourists topped the list of visitors to Thailand with 3.1 million visitors and generated about 52.75 billion baht (100 baht = RM13.22), from January to September this year.
"It is estimated a Malaysian tourist spends 16,588 baht per person during their visit,” he said.
Thailand welcomed 21.56 million tourists, bringing in 904.9 billion baht as of Oct 22 this year. - BERNAMA