The use of TM6 immigration forms will continue to be suspended until April 30 of next year to promote cross-border tourism while the new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system is developed, which may also facilitate the collection of tourism fees, according to officials.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong announced that the cabinet approved the extension for foreigners entering through 16 land and sea checkpoints.
Initially implemented on April 15 and set to expire on Tuesday, the suspension aims to enhance immigration services, reduce congestion at checkpoints, and stimulate tourism to support economic growth.
Key checkpoints where this exemption is effective include Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo, Chiang Saen in Chiang Rai, and Padang Besar in Songkhla.
The proposal was initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is in charge of developing the ETA system designed to replace the TM6 form.
This new system will allow foreign tourists from 93 countries eligible for visa-free entry to register online before arriving in Thailand. Upon registration, they will receive a QR code that can be used at automated immigration gates.
Additionally, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports is looking into incorporating the collection of the 300-baht and 150-baht tourism fees into the ETA system.
Songchai Mungprasithichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, mentioned that the exemption from the TM6 form is expected to boost daily arrivals from Malaysia to Songkhla province by 50% compared to the time when it was required.
During holidays in Malaysia, he noted, around 20,000 to 30,000 tourists visit Hat Yai and Songkhla daily. He believes that this year’s number of Malaysian travelers and tourism revenue in Songkhla will surpass the totals from 2019.
However, he warned that tourism in the Deep South may struggle to maintain momentum due to a lack of new destinations and attractions to entice visitors. Without fresh offerings, Malaysian tourists may only stay in Hat Yai and Songkhla for a few days before returning home, without exploring nearby areas.
Mr. Songchai urged the tourism minister to support an efficient method for collecting tourism fees at border checkpoints to ensure convenience, noting that at least 10,000 travelers pass through these channels daily in the South.
He expressed concerns from tourism operators about the effective management of the tourism fund, to which the fees will contribute, as they hope to fund the development of new attractions.
He criticized the Pheu Thai-led administration and public organizations for focusing too much on stimulating travel demand while neglecting supply development. He cited the recent co-payment scheme for tourism in the North, which provides 800-baht subsidies for 10,000 travelers, as a temporary solution to the recent floods, but insufficient for enhancing competitiveness and creating tourism jobs.
