Assemblyman meets Thai authorities on roadblocks , alleged retaliate against the move by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in issuing summonses to drivers of Thai vehicles carrying tourists into this country over the past two months.

State Assemblyman for Bukit Kayu Hitam, Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar today held a meeting with the Thai authorities to resolve the issue of Malaysian buses and vans carrying tourists being prevented from entering Thailand.

He said he had met the Sadao Police Chief as well as the District Officer and representatives of the Hatyai Tourism Association in Danok and explained on the Malaysian laws and regulations that needed to be complied with so that Thai tour operators could bring tourists legally to Malaysia by bus or vans.

"I handed over the forms for them to apply for the permits from the Tourism Ministry but for the moment, they are still maintaining the decision to prevent Malaysian vans and buses from carrying tourists to Thailand," Ahmad Zaini said when contacted.



Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Honorary Consul based in Langkawi, Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah said the problem should be resolved amicable for the benefit of the tourism industry in both countries.

He said that any decision that denied the cordial traditional ties between the two neighbouring countries would only be to the detriment of the tourism industry in both countries.

"We must accept the fact that trade relations between Malaysia and Thailand had long been established. If there were problems concerning regulations and the law, they should be resolved amicably.

"The problems should not be allowed to drag on as it will lead to more complications," said Shazryl when contacted by Bernama for his comments on the issue of the Malaysian vans and buses carrying tourists being ordered to turn back by a group of Thai tour operators in Danok, on the Malaysia-Thai border, near Bukit Kayu Hitam, since last Friday.

The group, who had set up tents stretching for one kilometer beside the road after the Thai Immigration Complex in Danok, had taken such action to protest and retaliate against the move by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in issuing summonses to drivers of Thai vehicles carrying tourists into this country over the past two months.

Following the protests, tourist buses and vans from Malaysia no longer entered Thailand. Tourists had to hire buses and vans in Thailand at exorbitant costs to proceed to their respective destinations.

A check by Bernama at Bukit Kayu Hitam today found the place to be rather deserted. Very few tourists were entering Thailand