BANGKOK, July 10 — Thailand has described the new road linking its Sadao border checkpoint with Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia as an ‘economic gateway’ that will boost cross-border connectivity and trade.
Thai Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said the Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam crossing was Thailand and Malaysia’s most important border trade route and one of the region’s principal transport corridors, facilitating the movement of goods, tourists and travellers between the two countries.
On Friday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul jointly officiated the opening of the new road linking Malaysia’s Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Thailand’s Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Sadao.
Ratchada in a statement on Friday said the new road would ease border congestion, shorten waiting times and reduce logistics costs once fully operational.
“The improved connectivity would facilitate faster movement of imports and exports, enable farmers to bring their produce to market more efficiently, and benefit transport, tourism, hospitality and other service businesses in the border provinces,” she said.
Ratchada said Thailand was confident that the investment in border infrastructure and connectivity would attract new investment, create jobs, boost local businesses, improve the quality of life in border communities, and strengthen Thailand and Malaysia’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub over the long term.
She added that Thailand and Malaysia have set a target of increasing bilateral trade to US$30 billion.
“Trade passing through the Sadao checkpoint alone accounts for more than 80 per cent of total Thailand-Malaysia border trade, underscoring its role as the main gateway for bilateral trade and logistics between the two countries,” she said.
According to Ratchada, Anutin commended Anwar for the close cooperation between the two countries in advancing development across all sectors, as well as their shared commitment to promoting peace and economic development in Thailand’s southern border provinces and northern Malaysia to create new economic opportunities for the region.
Anutin is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia, which began on Thursday at the invitation of Anwar. It is his first bilateral visit to Malaysia since his reappointment in March 2026.
