THE BETONG border checkpoint in Yala was bustling since 5 a.m. this morning (Sep. 15) with a large number of tour buses and private vehicles carrying Malaysian and Singaporean tourists queuing up to pass through passport control amid continuous rain, Naewna newspaper said.
This big rush to holiday in Thailand is because today is a special holiday in Malaysia and tomorrow Malaysia Day. The tourists are heading for key southern tourist destinations including Songkhla, Trang, Krabi and Phuket as well as the three southern border provinces.
The parking lot in front of the arrivals building is so full of tourist vehicles that the end of the queue is still in Malaysia.
Betong officials said 8,000 tourists had arrived since morning with today’s total likely to exceed 9,000. More officials have been added to guide the tourists in submitting documents and getting queue tickets, which are then submitted to officials for inspection and customs clearance.
Checkpoints have also been set up in an inner area to search for illegal items that may have been smuggled in and apprehend wanted suspects who could have mingled with tourists in trying to slip through.
While all local breakfast restaurants were packed, most Chinese and Malaysian tourists opted for Chinese food, particularly delicious dim sum dishes prepared with local herbs that are a big favourite.
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Betong checkpoint in Yala full of tourists today, Sep. 15, 2025. Photos: Naewna
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