Waranya Deenak (right) was in Penang recently
By V. Sivaji
Of late, we have been hearing of complaints of Malaysians travelling up North to Thailand or to the “Land of the Smiles” for their holidays.
Despite the slide of the Malaysian ringgit against the Thai Baht, more and more holiday makers are unfazed and are willing to travel to Hatyai, Phuket, Bangkok, Pattaya and other holiday destinations there.
But according to one of the Thailand based travel agents from Hatyai – Jiang Feng Tour, there are also many Thais who are frequent travellers to Penang and other destinations in Malaysia too.
Its marketing manager, Waranya Deenak, spoke to Penang Hyperlocal at the MITM Travel Fair 2024 recently.
“The Thai travellers like to come to Penang to enjoy the local hawker fare which is well known. Among them are the Char Koay Teow, Hokkein Mee, Duck Rice, Popiah, Satay, Ice Kacang, Nasi Kandar, Curry Mee and durians too.
“Then they also like to travel to the Penang Hill, Fort Cornwallis, The Top, Tropical Spice Garden, Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang National Park among others locations.
“Besides Penang, Thai holiday makers also frequent Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Malacca too.
“Meanwhile, locally in Thailand, we offer packages to Dannok, Hatyai, Phatthalung, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and other destinations.
“Many of these Thai tourists also like to do their shopping here too. Since the weather is similar to Thailand, they can travel throughout the year.
“Locally in Thailand, we offer packages to Dannok, Hatyai, Phatthalung, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and other destinations “, he added.
Maybe, we should be spending more time and effort promoting Malaysian destinations to the Thai market ?
The Jiang Feng Tour agency is located at 47, Chitivitayakul 1 Road, Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand.