New Regulations For Drivers Passing Through Malaysia-Thailand Border To Start In October

This was revealed by Malaysian Consul-General Mohd Afandi Abu Bakar yesterday, 10 September.

He told Bernama that those who are travelling to Thailand will need to understand and comply with the new rules, in addition to using valid travel documents.

There are several major border crossings between Malaysia and Thailand, including Wang Kelian (Perlis), Padang Besar (Perlis), Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah), Bukit Berapit (Perak), and Rantau Panjang (Kelantan).

According to Mohd Afandi, foreign visitors entering Thailand will be required to submit an entry form to the Royal Thai Customs Department, declaring details about their vehicle and passengers, among others.

"Drivers who fail to comply will be fined up to four or five times the value of the vehicle, or the vehicle detained, and face a two-year jail sentence," Afandi was quoted as saying.

The detailed information on the new regulations will be made available to the public and uploaded on the foreign ministry's website once Thai authorities provide them to the consulate.

Although some of the terms of admission had long been in practice, it was learned that changes to the entry requirements were executed to facilitate and streamline the check-in record of foreigners to Thailand.

Mohd Afandi also revealed that there were only two cases involving Malaysian-owned vehicles from beginning this year until August, that were detained by the Thailand authorities for violation of entry rules.