THAILAND ASKS MALAYSIA TO RE-INTRODUCE PADANG BESAR BORDER PASS

PADANG BESAR (southern Thailand), June 30 (Bernama) -- Thailand has asked
Malaysia to re-introduce the visit pass to make it easier for Thai nationals to
cross the border to the Malaysian part of this town to visit relatives and shop.

Songkhla governor Dr Sondhi Tejanant said the withdrawal of the facility in
February last year had made travel across the border difficult for the Thais who
often visited Padang Besar in Malaysia.

The request to re-introduce the pass, known as Card 117, was made at a
meeting between senior administrative officers of Perlis and Songkhla at the
immigration complex here.

Dr Sondhi had headed the Songkhla delegation at the meeting while the Perlis
delegation was led by State Tourism Committee chairman Ahmad Bakri Ali.

Ahmad Bakri said the Thai request would be brought to the attention of the
state executive council which would forward it to the Home Ministry for
discussion at the Cabinet.


He said it was hoped that more security features would be added to Card 117
if the federal government decided to re-introduce it.

The pass, which was withdrawn last year owing to security concerns, enabled
the Thais to enter and be on the Malaysian side for a day, till as late as 10pm.

Ahmad Bakri said the lack of Thai visitors from across the border had
affected the business of traders on the Malaysian side of Padang Besar, with
several of the traders wanting to close down their business for good as they
depended much on the Thais.

-- BERNAMA