Satun governor Sumeth C. Vanitkul has suggested that a tunnel be built to serve as a gateway between Malaysia and Thailand at Bukit Batu Puteh. Both countries support a proposal to open the border crossing.
The proposal to open the border at Bukit Batu Puteh had been agreed by both Malaysia and Thailand, but had been shelved for more than 10 years due to technical problems.
If a tunnel was built, it would shorten the distance between Kuala Perlis and Satun, he told reporters during an unofficial visit to Bukit Batu Puteh.
Khun Sumeth said that since Bukit Batu Puteh was part of the Sangklakiri range, the tunnel would have to be built across the range and the cost to be borne by both countries. If implemented, it would be the first tunnel to link Malaysia and Thailand, he added.
He said that building the tunnel would also be a solution to avoid destruction of beach and mangrove areas if a road was built instead, which had been raised by nature lovers in Thailand when objecting to the proposed opening of the border.
The Thai governor said he had discussed the matter with the Perlis government and would bring up the matter to the Thai cabinet.
Malaysian officials said they welcomed the suggestion as such a move could boost development in Bukit Batu Puteh
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