The regulation will first focus on the North, where as many as 3,000 cars were driven down from China during the Chinese New Year period earlier this month, Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said.

Next week, the Department of Tourism and representatives of the tourism business sector will be asked to offer their opinions on the matter.

The ministry will also launch an insurance scheme for foreigners in April, Kobkarn said, adding that officials were now discussing possible methods such as adding the insurance fees to visa charges or the fare of the air ticket.

Currently, Thailand only requires foreigners driving into Thailand to pay Bt1,300 for the visa, Bt400 for the insurance, Bt200 for a border pass for the car and Bt20 in document processing fees. Visitors are also required to watch a 15-minute-long video clip on traffic laws in Thailand.

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Meanwhile, in China, all Thai visitors driving in are made to put down a Bt300,000 deposit per car as well as pay Bt15,000 per head in related fees. Visitors are also made to watch an hour-long video clip on traffic laws in the country.

In the South, Phuket deputy governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul presided over a meeting with related agencies yesterday to discuss the problem of camping trailers being parked in public space last week.

He said the meeting sought to prevent subsequent problems from the visitors camping trailers, as there were no regulations in relation to camping space allotment as well as garbage and sewage disposal.

Phuket Transport official Jaturong Kaewkasi told the meeting that the Land Transport Department was coming up with a ministerial regulation related to camper vans and should have something by next month.