By Tuwaedaniya Meringing
SONGKHLA, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The new route at the Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao border complex has shown positive results after a month of operation, particularly in facilitating the movement of logistics vehicles and cross-border trade.
The 900-metre route connects the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Kedah with the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Thailand.
Sadao Customs director Buntoon Oucharoen said nearly 100 per cent of lorries, buses and vans have now switched to the new route, successfully easing congestion on the old route.
“This smooth flow has been facilitated by the use of modern inspection systems. Advanced X-ray equipment known as ‘Fast Scan’ has shortened the container scanning time from five minutes to less than a minute.
“In addition, cargo information can be checked directly through the computer system. This allows lorries to move smoothly without having to queue for long periods,” he told Bernama at the Sadao Customs Office recently.
He added that the new route records the movement of more than 1,000 logistics lorries a day.
The route was jointly officiated by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 10.
It officially began operations the following day to improve the efficiency of cross-border trade and logistics activities.
Improved operational efficiency has also contributed to a surge in the value of imports and exports between the two countries.
Based on Sadao Customs data for July 11 to 31, import value increased to 19 billion baht (RM2.35 billion), compared with 12 billion baht (RM1.48 billion) during the same period last year.
Meanwhile, export value surged to more than 24 billion baht (RM2.97 billion), compared with 13 billion baht (RM1.61 billion) previously.
Meanwhile, Hatyai-Songkhla Hotel Association president Sittipong Sitthiphataraprabha welcomed the opening of 11 inbound and 11 outbound lanes on the new route, which has facilitated the movement of tourists, particularly during weekends and public holidays.
For the January-to-March 2026 period, Malaysia-Thailand bilateral trade was valued at RM31.33 billion (US$7.90 billion), compared with RM27.35 billion (US$6.15 billion) during the same period in 2025.
The two countries, which will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, also remain committed to achieving a bilateral trade target of US$30 billion (RM122.6 billion) by 2027.
-- BERNAMA