On 10 July 2026, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, joined the delegation of H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, on a visit to Sadao District, Songkhla Province, to attend the Official Opening Ceremony of the new CIQ Sadao - ICQS Bukit Kayu Hitam Road Alignment. The Ceremony was jointly officiated by the Prime Minister of Thailand and YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia.

During the Ceremony, the Prime Ministers of Thailand and Malaysia each walked through their respective checkpoints before meeting and shaking hands at the midpoint of the border crossing. Prime Minister Anwar then invited Prime Minister Anutin to proceed to the Malaysian side to jointly unveil the commemorative plaque, followed by a Luncheon hosted by the Malaysian side. The Ambassador attended both the Opening Ceremony and the Luncheon.

During the Luncheon, the Prime Ministers underscored the significance of the new road as a key catalyst for enhancing connectivity and promoting economic development along the Thailand–Malaysia border. Prime Minister Anutin expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar for the close cooperation between the two countries and remarked that the new road would serve as an “economic gateway” facilitating trade, investment, logistics, and tourism while advancing the development of the border areas. Prime Minister Anwar expressed confidence that the new road would become an important driver of regional economic growth, while emphasizing the need to improve cross-border clearance procedures, reduce waiting times and logistics costs, and further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and border area development for the tangible benefit of the peoples of both countries.

Following the Ceremony, the Ambassador visited the new CIQ Sadao Passenger Terminal, where she was welcomed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phattanapong Rojanawanitkit, Inspector of Songkhla Immigration, Immigration Division 6, who briefed her on the immigration clearance facilities within the Terminal. The new Passenger Terminal was scheduled to commence operations on the morning of 11 July 2026. On this occasion, the Ambassador met with immigration officers and reaffirmed the Embassy's readiness to support the work of the relevant authorities in the area. She also conveyed her best wishes for the smooth and successful commencement of operations at the new terminal for the mutual benefit of the peoples of Thailand and Malaysia.