Closure of illegal crossings will ensure better control of border traffic, says Thailand

 

Visitors to Thailand have to use proper crossings like the Rantau Panjang immigration, customs, quarantine and security complex in Pasir Mas, Kelantan. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Thailand respects Malaysia’s decision to shut down illegal crossings along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan.

Thailand’s fourth army region commander, Paisan Nusang, said citizens of both countries must adhere to regulations and use gazetted routes to avoid running foul of the law, Bernama reported.

“Some Thai citizens have been detained by Malaysia for crossing the border through illegal routes in Sungai Golok. They have been held at the detention centre in Tanah Merah.

“The actions taken by Malaysian authorities are a positive and appropriate step to ensure better control along the Malaysia-Thailand border,” he said during a media visit to Thai authorities in Songkhla.

Paisan said residents on both sides of the border have long used illegal crossings as part of their daily lives but these routes have posed significant challenges for authorities trying to control rampant smuggling activities.

“The closure of these illegal crossings has led to complaints, especially from the tourism sector. This has also forced the closure of many shops along the border.

“We aim to resolve these issues through discussions between the authorities of both countries,” he said.

He said Thailand had often been used as a transit point before the migrants cross into Malaysia.

“We have observed that ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar use Thailand as a transit point before crossing into Malaysia through illegal routes.

“These migrants enter Malaysia in search of a better life due to instability in their home country and because of the high demand in the labour sector,” he said.

Last month, Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat announced that  authorities would strictly enforce a ban on crossing the Malaysia-Thailand border via illegal routes in Kelantan from Dec 1.

On drug trafficking syndicates, Paisan said there were no methamphetamine processing labs in southern Thailand.

It is believed that all the drugs are processed by syndicates operating in northern Thailand, near the borders of Laos and Myanmar.

“The syndicates use various methods to transport the drugs to southern Thailand before smuggling them into Malaysia,” he said.

He expressed concern over the possible involvement of tourists, whether from Malaysia or other countries, in drug distribution activities. - FMT