Thai tourist buses can enter Malaysia with a condition…

Tourist buses from Thailand would be allowed to cross border and enter all states in Malaysia.

The bus companies however would be required to send in their application to the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad), announced Transport Minister, Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

“They (Thai tourist buses) only need to apply to Apad for a temporary permit and provide specific information, such as the tour packages, number of passengers, and accommodation locations,” he was quoted as saying after officiating Phase 1 of upgrades to the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP).

“We are restricting vans from Thailand due to concerns about them picking up passengers in Malaysia and affecting our local tourism industry,” he said, reported Malay daily, Berita Harian.

Kelantan state government had previously wanted to meet Loke in April to discuss on the restrictions imposed on the Thai tourist buses.

Loke added that states bordering Thailand can also appeal on behalf of the companies.

“I understand that our existing policy is not to allow tourist buses from Thailand to enter Malaysia. Only private cars are allowed,” he said.

“If the state governments see that there is a need to look at the policy, they can write to us to allow tourist buses from Thailand.”