60,000 Enter Thailand in Four Days

More than 60,000 tourists, particularly Malaysians, entered Thailand during a four-day holiday period despite recent bombings and attacks in the country’s south. Accommodation bookings in popular destinations, especially Hat Yai, reached 98%.

The influx from Friday through Monday was expected to channel about RM36 million into Thailand, based on minimum spending of roughly RM600 per visitor or family during the holiday. Aida Oujeh, president of the Thailand-Southeast Asia Halal Tourism and Trade Association, said many Malaysians had booked their trips in advance.

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Based on our observations, popular destinations such as the floating markets and Hat Yai city are packed.

She said Hat Yai, floating markets, Satun and Krabi were crowded. Aida also said the attacks in three southern provinces did not involve areas around Songkhla, including Hat Yai. In her view, the separatist group had targeted police stations, government facilities and empty roads rather than tourist sites or hotels.

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The separatist group does not target tourist locations. Instead, its bombings appear to target police stations, government facilities and roads where there are no people.

Mohd. Zaki Ismail, a visitor from Kuala Lumpur, said his family had long planned the Hat Yai trip and entered through Padang Besar. He said they were not worried because Hat Yai remained far from the three affected provinces and planned to stay until Monday.

Lines at the Padang Besar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security complex stretched about one kilometer on Friday and Saturday morning. The busy crossing contrasted with the previous weekend, when concerns over the attacks had left the border entrance quiet.

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We are not worried about the recent bombings because they occurred in southern Thailand, while Hat Yai remains safe because it is far from the three affected provinces.