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Tourism

Thailand and Malaysia's Cross-Border Tourism Initiative Hits the Road

Peden Doma Bhutia photo
Peden Doma Bhutia
October 29th, 2024 at 6:00 AM EDT
Sunset on Koh Nang Yuan Island in Koh Tao Thailand Southeast Asia

Skift Take

While Thailand explores new tourism markets, it's keeping a strong focus on its Southeast Asian neighbors — welcoming tourists not only by air but by road, too. This cross-border tourism promotion between Thailand and Malaysia reflects a larger ASEAN vision of seamless regional travel.

Malaysia may have moved from being Thailand’s top source market in 2023 to the number two position this year, but Malaysian arrivals to the country are set to surpass 2023’s tourism high of 4.4 million arrivals.

On Monday, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it is planning to develop a route with Malaysia, especially focusing on cross-border visits and providing products and services, including hotels, shops, restaurants, and attractions that cater to travelers from Malaysia.

More than 4 million visitors from Malaysia traveled to Thailand between January 1 and October 23, 2024, according to data from Thailand tourism.

The country aims to attract a million more Malaysian tourists in the next two months taking this arrival tally to more than 5 million this year.

In 2024 alone, Th

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