By Linda Khoo
SADAO (Southern Thailand), Sept 13 (Bernama) — Malaysia is enticing Thai bikers to discover the country by road to experience the scenic countryside, diverse culture and food.
The bikers can make use of the Malaysia-Thailand land-crossing points to enter the country, said Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Jojie Samuel.
These are Satun (Wan Prachan)-Perlis (Wan Kelian); Songkhla-Kedah (Ban Prakob-Kota Putra, Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam and Padang Besar-Padang Besar); Yala (Betong)-Perak (Pangkalan Hulu) and Narathiwat-Kelantan (Sungai Kolok-Rantau Panjang, Ban Buketa-Bukit Bunga and Tak Bai-Pengkalan Kubor).
Jojie flagged off a convoy of 100 Thai bikers participating in the Desaru International Bike Week 2019, here, Friday.
On Thursday night, Jojie spoke at a dinner on An Evening with Visit Truly Asia Malaysia 2020 and said: “Malaysia has a lot of exciting and hidden tourism spots, especially for Thai bikers. We hope the two-wheel ride to Malaysia will attract more Thai bikers ride to Malaysia. We believe these fascinating events will foster closer tourism ties between Thailand and Malaysia.”
Jojie said 1.914 million Thai tourists visited Malaysia in 2018, a commendable increase of 4.3 per cent compared to 2017.
“In the first six months of this year, Thai arrivals recorded a growth of 4.2 per cent, with 990,565 tourist arrivals compared with 951,950 tourist arrivals in the corresponding period last year,” he said.
Thailand is ranked fourth in the top 10 tourist-generating markets for Malaysia after Singapore, Indonesia and China.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia deputy director (Bangkok) Mazreena Mohd Yusof said the Desaru International Bike Week 2019 is a continuous effort to promote Visit Malaysia 2020.
The 100 bikers are scheduled to ride 1,810 kilometres from Krabi through Hatyai, Bangkok, Chonburi, Khon Kaen and Phuket and from Sadao through Melaka, Desaru, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
“I hope the two-wheel riding programme will boost Thai tourist arrivals in Malaysia,” she said.