Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, accompanied by relevant cabinet ministers, visited the construction site of the new Sadao Customs House in Songkhla, Thailand, which connects to Bukit Kayu Hitam in Malaysia, to monitor the progress of the project. The PM instructed the acceleration of the 300-meter, six-lane road on the Thai side, with a construction budget of approximately USD 803,000 (THB 28 million). The road is expected to be fully operational this year to fix road mismatches that have delayed the full operation of the Sadao Customs House since 2019.

In fiscal year 2024, the total trade value passing through the Sadao customs checkpoint reached approximately $13.35 billion (THB 450.19 billion), with a trade surplus of around $510 million (THB 17.19 billion). In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 (October-December 2024), trade totaled $3.39 billion (THB 114.19 billion), comprising imports worth $1.52 billion (THB 51.29 billion) and exports totaling $1.86 billion (THB 62.80 billion). This marks a 1.8% increase from the same period last year.

The completion of this connecting road is expected to improve cross-border trade efficiency between Thailand and Malaysia, by easing traffic congestion at the border checkpoint. Additionally, the improved road connection will not only facilitate trade but also attract more tourists traveling between the two countries, benefiting local businesses.