Malaysia and Thailand, two of Asia’s popular destinations, are stepping up their tourism game. The neighboring countries have launched a “self-drive” tourism initiative to promote cross-border exploration and give travelers a seamless way to enjoy both cultures.
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Yasmeen Yasim, Malaysia’s Deputy Secretary-General for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, shared her optimism about this collaboration . “With a timely collaboration such as this, we are optimistic about achieving our target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals from Thailand in 2025,” she said.
According to Yasim, this initiative will help drive the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, which aims for 35.6 million international arrivals.
The numbers reflect a strong interest in cross-border tourism. From January to September 2024, Thailand welcomed over 3.7 million Malaysian tourists. Nearly half of these travelers entered Thailand through the Sadao Checkpoint in Songkhla. Meanwhile, Malaysia saw a 19.7% rise in Thai tourists, reaching 1.1 million by August 2024.
In June, a survey by American financial site Insider Monkey crowned Malaysia and Thailand as Asia’s most loved destinations, recognizing them for qualities like respect, friendliness, and diversity. This joint tourism initiative builds on that reputation, encouraging visitors to explore both countries in one trip.
Whether you’re planning to drive around Malaysia or Thailand, having an international drivers permit (IDP) is a must. This document allows you to drive overseas using your own valid driver’s license. After securing your IDP, make sure you learn about the driving rules in each country to ensure a smooth trip.
If you’re touring Malaysia first, there are seven exciting itineraries you can consider for an unforgettable road trip.
You can also uncover the country’s hidden gems and more by going on a three-day road trip .
