KOTA BARU: Thai authorities have stepped up security so that Malaysian tourists, including those from Kelantan, will feel safe.
Thai deputy commander of tourist police Maj Gen Phongsiam Meekhanthong said among the measures taken were checks and patrols.
"After the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand recorded an increase of foreign tourists of about 20,000 arrivals a month.
"Besides southern Thailand, tourists like to visit hotspots in Songkhla, Chiengmai and Bangkok.
"For their safety, we will conduct regular checks at beaches to ensure those involved in water activities adhere to the rules, such as wearing life jackets.
"Our tourist police will also conduct patrols," he said at a press conference after a meeting with Kelantan police here today.
Present were Kelantan police chief Datuk Muhammad Zaki Harun, Thai tourist police division 3 commander Maj Gen Krit Warit and deputy consul-general Marisa Indramangala.
Phongsiam said foreign tourists could call its 24-hour centre for enquiries or if they faced any difficulties.
Zaki said 91,000 Malaysian tourists had gone to Thailand via three checkpoints in Kelantan since early this year.
He said about 88,000 Thais entered Malaysia via the Kelantan checkpoints.
"Last year, 88,000 Thais entered Malaysia through Kelantan and 131,000 Malaysians crossed over to the kingdom."
It was reported recently that Thailand welcomed 8.5 million tourists in the first four months of this year, bringing in tourism receipts of 353.3 billion baht.
During the first quarter of the year, Malaysians were among the top five international visitors to the kingdom.
Anucha Burapachaisri, acting government spokesman, reported that in total, 8,596,452 international tourists visited Thailand.
"Last month, there were 2.13 million international tourists, where Malaysians topped the list at 367,530, followed by China (328,375) and India (131,230)."
Thailand is targeting up to 30 million foreign tourists this year.
Thailand, one of Asia's most popular travel destinations, was visited by nearly 40 million people in 2019.