KOTA BARU: The state government is planning to meet Thai tourism players including representatives from its tour bus association after a meeting with Transport Minister Anthony Loke on regulations concerning Thai tour buses.
State Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor said the meeting with Loke is expected to be held soon.
"I was informed recently that the minister is ready to discuss the issue with me but l am not available on the date given and have asked for a new date.
"Although he has yet to reply, on behalf of the state government, l would like to thank him for his willingness to discuss the issue.
"I believe allowing Thai tour buses to enter Malaysia will benefit Kelantan and also the country," he told reporters after breaking fast with the management and employees of East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) here last night.
Kamarudin said the state government was aware that Thai tour bus operators needed to adhere to certain regulations before they were allowed to enter Malaysia.
"The regulations set by the ministry will be among the topics that l will stress to the Thai tourism industry players as well as the tour bus operators when l meet them later," he added.
Also present at the programme were Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak and State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin.
On March 18, Loke said he was open to discussing with the Kelantan government on the regulation of tourist buses entering the state from Thailand.
Loke, however, did not state if Kamarudin had officially reached out to him.
Two days before, Kelantan Road Transport Department (RTD) director Mohd Misuari Abdullah said tour buses and vans from Thailand have been prohibited from bringing tourists into Kelantan via the state's three entry points.
Misuari clarified that only Malaysian tourist operators are permitted to operate within the country, and vehicles from other countries, despite possessing International Circulation Permits (ICP), are not allowed to transport tourists into Malaysia.
"While they (foreign operators) may possess an ICP, this permit is only valid for private vehicles and not for commercial tourism purposes," he said.
Misuari explained that these regulations came into effect on June 1, 2022, following the end of the Movement Control Order (MCO).