Border Special Economic Zone Sees 80% Tourist Drop After New Checkpoint Opens

The Samakkham border special economic zone (old checkpoint) in Sadao district, Songkhla province, is experiencing unprecedented economic hardship following the opening of the new Sadao checkpoint and associated traffic route changes. Tourist arrivals have dropped by 80%, with sales declining by 90%, prompting fears that businesses will be forced to shut down as accumulated losses become unsustainable.

Shop owner Vannuree Samaalai reported that customer numbers have fallen more than 80% since the new checkpoint opened, with some days bringing virtually no customers. Although the old checkpoint remains operational, traffic management protocols now direct all buses and vans exclusively to the new facility, leaving the old checkpoint severely underutilized. While cars and motorcycles can use both checkpoints, the old one is understaffed and time-consuming, with officers sometimes directing customers to the new checkpoint instead.

As fewer people pass through the old checkpoint, foot traffic to the surrounding business zone has collapsed. Multiple operators say they are struggling financially and are calling on the government for intervention. Hotel operator Dr. Sitthipong Sitthipattraprapha noted that businesses in this special economic zone have operated for over 50 years and previously generated thousands of millions of baht in revenue, but now face their worst economic crisis ever. Operators are urging the government to assist them before they are forced to close permanently.