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New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysians flock to Thailand for Hari Raya Aidiladha getaway
KUALA LUMPUR: A growing number of Malaysians are opting to cross the border into southern Thailand for a festive getaway this Hari Raya Aidiladha, swapping the traditional homecoming journey for a holiday experience abroad. According to Buletin Utama, Customs officials reported that more than 13,000 individuals were recorded crossing the border checkpoint. This included 7,000 Thai nationals, nearly 5,000 Malaysians, and the remainder from other foreign countries. A survey found that the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex in Padang Besar was bustling with Malaysians heading into Thailand, as outbound traffic from Malaysia continued to rise. Many travellers were seen in vehicles bearing local registration plates. When asked, travellers said they were seeking a festive experience in popular southern Thai destinations such as Satun and Hat Yai. "For us, it's a last-minute plan due to the school holidays, and I wanted to bring the family into Thailand," said Mohd Isyraq Abdul Sani, a traveller from Johor. "Previously, we drove, but this time we're taking the KTMB train because we're concerned about heavy traffic," said Tan Kok Way, a traveller from Kedah. In addition to sightseeing, some motorists are using Thailand as an alternative route to reach their hometowns in Kelantan, as the journey is shorter — despite the need to pass through two international checkpoints. "This route is shorter, and it makes a big difference compared to the usual way. Also, there's no traffic jam when travelling through Thailand. It takes about three and a half hours, whereas within Malaysia, it would take around seven to eight hours," said road user Muhammad Fakhrul Azim Abdullah.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Aidiladha rush causes heavy congestion at Malaysia–Thailand border
RANTAU PANJANG: Heavy congestion has gripped the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at the border crossing here, as Thai nationals make their way home to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha. Checks at the border crossing found travellers queuing as early as 5am, although the gates only opened at 7am. The large crowd began massing at the border since Wednesday. Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate Aidiladha on June 7. Traffic leading to the complex stretched for more than one kilometre, with long queues of vehicles inching forward throughout the day. The crowd largely comprised Thai citizens heading home for the holidays. Thai national Sukri Mamat, 26, who works in Kuala Lumpur, said he was looking forward to seeing his loved ones in Narathiwat after a long journey. "I got a week's leave and wanted to celebrate Aidiladha with my family in Narathiwat. By the time I arrived at 5am, there was already a long queue waiting for the ICQS to open," said Sukri. He added that such congestion was not unusual at this time of year. "Every festive season, it's like this. Despite the fatigue from travelling and waiting, I'm excited to reunite with my family," he said. However, some Malaysians were also travelling into southern Thailand for a short getaway during the school break and festive weekend. Local resident Ismail Ahmad, 42, was also among those making the early morning crossing, this time for leisure. "We decided to take the opportunity to visit Pattani for a short break," he said. Ismail said the trip was mainly for sightseeing and to enjoy Thai cuisine. "We just want to walk around and enjoy the food. We'll head back tomorrow," he said.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Over 200 illegal bases along Sg Golok border shut down
PASIR MAS: More than 200 unauthorised bases along the Malaysian side of Sungai Golok border have been shut down following strict action by the Home Ministry to combat cross-border crimes, its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said the move was among the decisions adopted during the Committee on Strengthening National Border Control meeting he previously chaired, aimed at tightening surveillance along the 103-kilometre border route. 'The closure of illegal bases and implementation of an omnipresent (comprehensive presence) approach by security forces have successfully reduced illegal border crossings. 'There are no significant numbers (of individuals crossing borders illegally) (and) the trend has been controlled since December,' he told reporters after visiting the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Rantau Panjang here today. According to him, security control has been strengthened with 819 personnel deployed in rotation for monitoring and raid operations in border hotspot areas. 'When we close illegal bases and conduct consistent inspections, we see drug supplies decrease slightly. But we can't become complacent as smugglers may find alternative routes,' he said. Saifuddin Nasution said authorities have detected a new trend of drug landings in Kuala Kedah and also Kuala Sanglang in Perlis, believed to be syndicates' response to tightened border controls in Kelantan. 'I was informed last week about increased drug landings in Kedah. I'm investigating if this directly results from our Kelantan border crackdown,' he said, adding that he would consult the Kedah police chief (Datuk Fisol Salleh) on the matter. He said ongoing surveillance would monitor for any rebuilt illegal bases, noting that smugglers constantly adapt their methods to evade detection.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Over 200 illegal bases along Sungai Golok border shut down
PASIR MAS: More than 200 unauthorised bases along the Malaysian side of Sungai Golok border have been shut down following strict action by the Home Ministry to combat cross-border crimes, its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said. He said the move was among the decisions adopted during the Committee on Strengthening National Border Control meeting he previously chaired, aimed at tightening surveillance along the 103-kilometre border route. 'The closure of illegal bases and implementation of an omnipresent (comprehensive presence) approach by security forces have successfully reduced illegal border crossings. 'There are no significant numbers (of individuals crossing borders illegally) (and) the trend has been controlled since December,' he told reporters after visiting the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Rantau Panjang here today. According to him, security control has been strengthened with 819 personnel deployed in rotation for monitoring and raid operations in border hotspot areas. 'When we close illegal bases and conduct consistent inspections, we see drug supplies decrease slightly. But we can't become complacent as smugglers may find alternative routes,' he said. Saifuddin Nasution said authorities have detected a new trend of drug landings in Kuala Kedah and also Kuala Sanglang in Perlis, believed to be syndicates' response to tightened border controls in Kelantan. 'I was informed last week about increased drug landings in Kedah. I'm investigating if this directly results from our Kelantan border crackdown,' he said, adding that he would consult the Kedah police chief (Datuk Fisol Salleh) on the matter. He said ongoing surveillance would monitor for any rebuilt illegal bases, noting that smugglers constantly adapt their methods to evade detection.
The Star
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Over 200 illegal bases along Sungai Golok border shut down
PASIR MAS: More than 200 unauthorised bases along the Malaysian side of Sungai Golok border have been shut down to combat cross-border crimes, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He said the move was part of the Strengthening National Border Control Committee's actions to tighten monitoring of the 103km border route. "The closure of illegal bases and implementation of an omnipresent (comprehensive presence) approach by security forces have successfully reduced illegal border crossings. "There are no significant numbers (of individuals crossing borders illegally) (and) the trend has been controlled since December," he told reporters after visiting the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Rantau Panjang here on Sunday (May 4). Saifuddin Nasution said security control was further boosted with 819 personnel deployed in rotation for monitoring and raid operations in border hotspot areas. "When we close illegal bases and conduct consistent inspections, we see drug supplies decrease slightly. But we can't become complacent as smugglers may find alternative routes," he said. Saifuddin Nasution said a new trend of drug landings has been detected in Kuala Kedah and also Kuala Sanglang in Perlis, believed to be the syndicates' response to tightened border controls in Kelantan. "I was informed last week about increased drug landings in Kedah. I'm investigating if this directly results from our Kelantan border crackdown," he said, adding that he would consult the Kedah police chief (Datuk Fisol Salleh) on the matter. He said ongoing surveillance would monitor for any rebuilt illegal bases, noting that smugglers constantly adapt their methods to evade detection. - Bernama
