Alternative travel mode: Travellers boarding a Hatyai-bound train at the Padang Besar train station.
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex here saw a surge of holidaymakers heading to Thailand over the weekend as the week-long school holidays got underway.
Hailing from all over the country, including as far as Johor, the travellers on buses and private vehicles described the immigration process as smooth, despite the apparent congestion.
Among them were teacher Halim Naaim, 49, and his family who were visiting Hatyai for the first time.
“We have heard so much about the food and shopping there, so we decided to take advantage of the school holidays to explore the city,” he said as he waited in line at the Immigration checkpoint here yesterday.
Hailing from Melaka, Halim said his children were excited to be able to visit the floating market and sample authentic Thai street food.
Despite the long queue, he said the process had been smooth so far.
“We’re looking forward to a memorable trip,” he added.
Civil servant Lai Mee Lian, 55, said she had tried booking a train ride from Ipoh to Hatyai but was disappointed the tickets were fully sold.
She, her husband, and their two children took a tour bus to Thailand this time.
Despite the congestion at the checkpoint, Lai expressed excitement about their trip.
Family holiday: Shazatul with his family at the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS.
“Although we’ve been to Hatyai several times, we’re still looking forward to enjoying our holiday as a family.
“We plan to spend the next few days exploring Hatyai’s famous landmarks, indulging in Thai cuisine, and shopping for souvenirs,” she said.
Entrepreneur A. Yogen, 39, and his wife M. Lalitha, 34, plan to spend their well-deserved holiday in Hatyai and Krabi.
“It’s been a while since we last travelled, and now that we both have some free time, we decided to visit Thailand,” said the couple from Seremban.
Lalitha said this would be their first time visiting Hatyai and Krabi.
“We usually spend our holidays within the country, but this time we wanted to try Thailand since we’ve heard that it offers affordable options,” she said.
Factory worker Shazatul Naim Poniran, 37, and his wife Nurfaezah Azman, 34, shared their smooth experience in the vehicle lanes of the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint, saying the process was well organised.
“We expected a long wait due to the holiday crowd, but everything went smoothly.
“The staff members were efficient and the process didn’t take as long as we thought it would,” said Shazatul.
The couple, from Shah Alam, are spending four days and three nights in Hatyai with their four children.
“We’ve been planning this trip for months. Our kids are particularly excited to visit the zoo and try local desserts,” Shazatul added.
Meanwhile, two local travellers were barred from leaving the country at the checkpoint due to outstanding taxes and customs violations.
They were seen trying to negotiate their way out of the situation, but were advised by Immigration officers to resolve the matter with the relevant agencies.
On Saturday, 14,820 tourists, the majority of them Malaysians, entered Thailand through the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS Complex.
Kedah Immigration Department director Mohd Ridzzuan Mohd Zain said the department expected a surge in holidaymakers, particularly during the year-end holiday and Christmas break.
He said travellers must play their part to ensure a hassle-free journey across the border.
“They should ensure their passports or border passes are valid, and they should have the appropriate insurance coverage.
“All travel documents must be in good condition – free from tears, water damage, or unauthorised markings,” he added.
Mohd Ridzzuan said before travelling, people should also check whether they are on the travel blacklist status via sspi.imi.gov.my/sspi/.
He also stressed the importance of obeying Thailand’s laws.
“Malaysians must respect Thailand’s laws and conduct themselves appropriately as representatives of the country.
“Don’t carry prohibited items as this could lead to serious legal consequences,” he added.
