KOTA BARU: Thailand's move to reopen its border with Malaysia next month has surprised many Malaysians near the border.
Many describe the decision as a drastic move as Covid-19 cases in the kingdom are said to be still high.
Clerk Sahidi Yusof said like other countries, the Thai government has its own reasons for the move.
"I believe the reopening of the Thai border will help in the economic recovery not only in Thailand but also in Malaysia," said the 48-year-old from Jedok, Tanah Merah.
Self-employed Zaidi Abu Bakar said the reopening of Thai border with Malaysia would be welcomed by many especially those who were involved in business and trading.
"I believe with the strict rules imposed by the Thai authorities for tourists visiting the kingdom when the border is reopened next month, it will help prevent the spread of Covid-19," said the father of two from Rantau Panjang.
It was reported today that Thailand is planning to reopen the Thai-Malaysian border in March to boost tourist arrivals, as Malaysian tourists had been the largest group of visitors to the kingdom before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) and Tourism Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been ordered to prepare and outline the pandemic mitigation measures for the reopening of the southern border provinces in the checkpoints of Songkhla, Narathiwat, Yala and Satun.
Foreign Affairs Ministry deputy spokesman Natapanu Nopakun said tourists from Malaysia would enter Thailand via a quarantine-free "Test & Go" programme.
However, he said travellers need to pass two RT-PCR Covid-19 tests – the first upon arrival and the second on the fifth day of their visit.
Deputy government spokesman Dr Ratchada Thanadirek said Thailand and Malaysia have been working closely on the reopening of the border next month.
In March 2020, Thailand closed nine checkpoints with Malaysia to curb the spread of Covid-19.