Smoother border passage, coach production sought

The government must take urgent steps to allow Thai transport operators to move more freely into neighbouring countries and encourage cost-effective coach manufacturing if local businesses are to enjoy the benefits of Asean integration. Some current laws make it more difficult for Thai transport operators, mainly passenger coaches, to enter neighbouring countries than for foreign coaches to enter Thailand, said Wasuchet Sophonsathin, president of the Thai Transportation Operators Association. "Each country remains strict in enforcing its laws. While Malaysian coaches can easily enter into Thailand, Thai coaches encounter a lot of problems, which lessen their advantages at the border," he said, adding that the association has been in talks with the government about this matter. For instance, Thai coaches are required to hold Malaysian insurance and have their safety standards checked at the border before crossing, a time-consuming process. Passenger coaches are important for countries such as Thailand where tourism contributes a lot to the economy. Currently, tourist travel on coaches accounts for less than 30% of their travel in and across the country but this is set to rise when land infrastructures is better linked in Asean, shortening travel time and lowering costs. Thailand has 30,000 private passenger coaches and another 20,000 offering public services. Mr Wasuchet also urged the government to cut tariffs for imported parts of passenger coaches so that Thai manufacturers will be cost-competitive. Each coach costs 7 million baht in Thailand due to high import taxes of auto parts, while manufacturing in Vietnam is 20-30% cheaper. "If the government allows quotas or cuts the tariff, then we can compete," he said. He noted that the standard of coach drivers must improve for Thai operators to travel into neighbouring countries. "While cross-border travel will play a bigger role in the future, many of our drivers still cannot read or write properly in English," he said. Sourced: bangkokpost