Heavy Vehicles Must Use Sadao New Checkpoint, Old Checkpoint Remains Open, Light Vehicles Can Pass Freely

According to Thai media reports, the important land border connecting Thailand and Malaysia at Bukit Kayu Hitam — Sadao New Checkpoint — will begin operations on July 11 to further improve cross-border clearance efficiency and relieve long-standing traffic congestion.

After the new checkpoint is put into use, the old checkpoint will not close, but will be open simultaneously with the new checkpoint, implementing a brand-new vehicle diversion measure.

According to the latest arrangements, starting from July 11, large freight trucks and long-distance buses must use the new checkpoint for entry and exit procedures; as for private cars, vans, motorcycles, and pedestrians, they can freely choose to use either the new or the old checkpoint.

President of the Songkhla Hotel Association, Dr. Ong Sitiphat Tara, after inspecting the new checkpoint recently, released a video explanation stating that the customs clearance path on the Malaysian side remains unchanged. After leaving the Malaysian checkpoint, travelers will proceed along the existing road for about 1 kilometer to reach a junction, where they can then choose to head to the new or the old checkpoint as needed.

He said vehicles choosing the new checkpoint can continue along the newly built road for about 1 kilometer to enter the new checkpoint building for procedures; if heading to the old checkpoint, they can take a connecting road to return and enter the current old checkpoint area to complete clearance.

For those traveling from Thailand to Malaysia, vehicles using the new checkpoint can directly take the new route for exit procedures; if choosing the old checkpoint, they will have to pass through the local community to process clearance at the old checkpoint.

Ong Sitiphat also reminded that for vehicles exiting through the old checkpoint, due to traffic flow adjustments, after completing passport stamping, they must follow on-site instructions to make a U-turn in the new checkpoint area before proceeding towards Malaysia; pedestrians can use dedicated footpaths set up at both the new and old checkpoints to cross the border.

He said the main purpose of operating the new and old checkpoints together is to divert all large freight trucks and buses to the new checkpoint, reducing chronic congestion at the old checkpoint, while retaining clearance flexibility for small vehicles and travelers, and further enhancing overall cross-border efficiency and travel convenience at the Thai-Malaysian border.