Thai authorities tightening border control along Golok river
January 27, 2021 @ 10:54am
RANTAU PANJANG: Over the years, Malaysians have been thronging the Mundok market, a popular shopping haven on the Thai side of the border, opposite Kampung Bukit Lata, here.
But since the border restriction ban on both locals and Thais following the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed in both countries since last year, the situation has changed.
Malaysians are not allowed to cross over to the market which is famous for its variety and cheap goods.
To show they were serious in preventing illegal movements, the Thai authorities decided to seal all the passenger boats normally used to ferry Malaysian shoppers.
According to a local who only wanted to be known as Ida from Jeram Perdah, the Thai authorities recently directed all operators to lift their boats from the Golok river onto the riverbank.
"There were about 20 passenger boats operating along the river previously but due to the MCO, their business has stopped.
"But the Thai authorities are worried if boat operators were still using their boats secretly. Therefore, the boats were lifted and placed along the riverbank," said the 30-year-old trader who has been visiting the market regularly.
Checks along the area yesterday evening showed that several passenger boats had been placed on the riverbank.
Thai authorities recently intensified enforcement at the Thai-Malaysia border to prevent migrant smuggling and to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Fourth Army Region Commander, Lt General Kriangkrai Srirak was reported to have said the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia and the implementation of the MCO had caused migrants to attempt to return home.
He said since October last year until Jan 22, security forces had arrested 624 migrants comprising 408 from Myanmar, Laos (76), Cambodia (64) and Malaysia (21) who attempted to enter Thailand via "rat lanes" at border areas.
He said the authorities would tighten border control especially in the districts of Tak Bai, Sungai Golok and Wang.