The new Sadao border checkpoint was heavily congested today, prompting calls for digital immigration systems and the parallel operation of the old checkpoint to protect the local economy.
The new checkpoint opened its gates for the first time this morning, sparking a lively but congested debut as long queues of incoming vehicles stretched back towards the Malaysian side of the border.
The state-of-the-art facility, which covers over 95 hectares, saw a heavy influx of Thai and Malaysian tourists, commuters and freight traffic. By late morning, lines of tour buses, vans, cars and motorcycles clogged the inbound passport control lanes, prompting calls from local business leaders to streamline border-crossing formalities.
Nevertheless, Songkhla Chamber of Commerce President Songpon Changsirivathanathamrong welcomed the opening, noting that the new checkpoint will significantly reduce cargo transit times, lower logistics costs and boost bilateral trade and tourism.
To eliminate bottlenecks, he urged authorities to implement an online pre-registration system for immigration forms to speed up on-site processing.
The new checkpoint boasts parking for 300 vehicles, 22 car inspection lanes, 28 immigration counters and 16 cargo truck lanes equipped with advanced container X-ray systems, designed to bolster security and expedite customs clearance.
Despite the modern upgrades, the opening has stoked deep anxieties among residents and shopkeepers in the adjacent Ban Dan Nok community.
Locals have expressed concern that the potentially permanent closure of the old checkpoint could devastate the village economy, noting a visible drop in patrons as the new highway bypasses their commercial district entirely.
The old Sadao checkpoint officially closed its main gates at 10pm on Friday night. Today, it operated only two active immigration counters to assist local commuters.
Community members pointed out that traffic congestion remained severe on both sites due to tedious paperwork requirements and a lack of digital processing.
To solve the gridlock while preserving the local economy, residents urged the government to route all heavy cargo trucks through the new facility, but keep both checkpoints fully operational and fully staffed in parallel.
