Kota bharu: Driven by the allure of an 'overseas holiday,' thousands of Malaysians have been ignoring safety warnings and queuing for hours to enter southern Thailand, especially during festive seasons and school holidays.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat revealed that daily observations at the state's three official entry points - Rantau Panjang in Pasir Mas, Pengkalan Kubor in Tumpat, and Bukit Bunga in Tanah Merah - have recorded extremely high cross-border traffic. On normal days, an estimated 3,000 people cross the border, while on weekends, the figure rises to more than 4,000. During school holidays, the number surges significantly, reaching between 6,000 and 7,000 people per day. Overall, the total number of entries and exits involving border passes or passports can reach as high as 10,000 people in a single day.
Despite the travel advisory issued by the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) last year, many Malaysians seem unconcerned about the unpredictable situation in southern Thailand, where risks of bombings or shootings exist. Mohd Yusoff attributed the high number of visitors to the lack of attractive tourist destinations in Kelantan, as well as the appeal of an overseas holiday, even if it means just crossing a river.
Financial considerations also play a role, with the favourable exchange rate allowing visitors to spend more freely. Many Malaysians cross the border for authentic Thai cuisine, night market strolls, or to purchase viral snacks from Thailand's 7-Eleven stores before returning home the same day.
Mohd Yusoff suggested that the state government and relevant stakeholders consider transforming border towns such as Rantau Panjang by adopting the development model used in Padang Besar, Perlis. This could reduce the outflow of Malaysian currency by developing well-organised commercial complexes with a rest and service (RandR) concept to attract domestic tourists.
He cited Perlis as an example, where the RandR shopping complex has successfully drawn Thai traders to market goods legally on the Malaysian side of the border. By replicating this model in Kelantan, the state could attract foreign tourists and discourage locals from crossing the border simply to visit night markets or shop.
Mohd Yusoff dismissed claims that stricter border controls by police were responsible for the decline in business activity at the Rantau Panjang and Pengkalan Kubor Duty-Free Zones, attributing the downturn to economic changes predating the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that the rise of e-commerce has shifted consumer behaviour, making it essential for border towns to reinvent themselves.
He emphasized that Rantau Panjang should be revitalized by establishing attractive retail outlets and bringing in popular products from Thailand to stimulate the local economy.