Hat Yai Songkhla Hotel Association President, Sitthipong Sitthiphataraprabha said Hat Yai’s irresistible appeal lies on its combination of delectable and diverse food choices, easy accessibility, and affordable hotel options drew Malaysians in droves.

He said Hat Yai has firmly established itself as a favoured destination for travel enthusiasts seeking a delightful and budget-friendly getaway.

On ordinary weekdays throughout the year, he said Hat Yai typically enjoys a steady flow of around 5,000 Malaysian visitors daily, doubling to nearly 10,000 on weekends.

“Hat Yai experiences a joyous surge in visitor numbers from Malaysia during the year-end holiday season. On peak season weekends (Christmas and New Year), Hat Yai welcomed an average of 20,000 Malaysians daily, while weekdays see around 10,000 visitors.

“During the festive cheer of Christmas and New Year, Malaysian tourists’ average spending per trip per person reaches 10,000 baht.

“Aa a result, Malaysian tourists are estimated to have contributed approximately 2 billion baht to the Hat Yai economy this Christmas and New Year celebration,” he told Bernama.

Sitthipong also noted Hat Yai hotels have witnessed unprecedented surge in demand, with downtown, a popular area for Malaysian tourists, fully booked during peak holiday weeks.

He added that Hat Yai currently boasts around 20,000 rooms, including 8,000 to 12,000 concentrated at downtown.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports said Thailand welcomed 27.25 million tourist where Malaysian tourists top the list with 4.43million followed by Chinese (3.41 million) and South Korea (1.6 million), India (1.58 million) and Russian (1.42 million), as of December 24. — Bernama

Bangkok, 17 October 2024 – Thailand has extended the suspension of the requirement to fill out the ‘To Mo 6’ (TM6) immigration form for foreign travellers entering and exiting Thailand at 16 land and sea checkpoints until 30 April 2025.
The TM6 form is the arrival/departure card, which foreigners are required to fill out with their passport information and other personal and travel information when entering or leaving Thailand. The form was permanently cancelled for foreign travellers arriving by air since July 2022.

The extended suspension of the TM6 form is aimed at easing immigration procedures and alleviating congestion at eight checkpoints each for entry by land and sea.

Land checkpoints:

Aranyaprathet Immigration Checkpoint, Sa Kaeo
Mukdahan Immigration Checkpoint, Mukdahan (Only on the permitted overland transportation route from the border to the checkpoint)
Nong Khai Immigration Checkpoint, Nong Khai (Only on the permitted overland transportation route from the border to the checkpoint and the permitted rail transportation route from the border to Nong Khai Railway Station)
Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai (Only on the permitted overland transportation route from the border to the checkpoint)
Padang Besar Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
Sadao Immigration Checkpoint, Songkhla
Su-ngai Kolok Immigration Checkpoint, Narathiwat
Betong Immigration Checkpoint, Yala
Checkpoints for arrivals by cruise ships and yachts:

Pattaya Immigration Checkpoint, Chon Buri
Si Racha Immigration Checkpoint, Chon Buri
Si Chang Immigration Checkpoint, Chon Buri
Map Ta Phut Immigration Checkpoint, Rayong
Phuket Immigration Checkpoint, Phuket
Krabi Immigration Checkpoint, Krabi
Surat Thani Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani
Samui Immigration Checkpoint, Surat Thani (Only at allowed mooring location on Na Thon Bay)

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/10/thailand-su...d-sea-arrivals/