RANTAU PANJANG: Business activity here slowed to a near standstill today following a series of bomb attacks on 11 petrol stations in southern Thailand, prompting tighter security controls along the Malaysia–Thailand border.
A survey showed that many shops remained largely shuttered, while normally busy streets were unusually quiet and several police cars increased patrols in and around the border town.
Rantau Panjang, one of three Malaysian towns bordering Thailand, is a bustling trading hub opposite Sungai Golok, separated from the Thai town by the narrow Golok River.
Stricter checks were in place at roadblocks to maintain public safety and discourage cross-border movement.
Rantau Panjang town, which relies heavily on Malaysian visitors and Thai traders, saw a sharp drop in foot traffic as travellers stayed away amid security concerns.
Retailers and food operators said the absence of weekend visitors was immediately felt, cutting into already thin profit margins.
“The moment people hear about explosions, they become afraid to cross over, plus with the immediate curfew imposed by the Thai authorities.
“When that happens, our businesses suffer,” said clothing trader Rashidah Sulaiman.
The 44-year-old added that many businesses were still struggling to recover from the pandemic-era slowdown, making the latest disruption particularly damaging.
“Every quiet day costs us money,” she said.
“If this continues, it will be very hard for small traders to survive,” she added.
Meanwhile, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat advised locals to postpone any travel to southern Thailand following the latest bomb explosions.
A series of coordinated bomb attacks struck at least 11 petrol stations across southern Thailand on Sunday, injuring several people and prompting authorities to tighten security and impose curfews in affected areas.
The attacks, which targeted facilities in multiple provinces near the Malaysian border, are under investigation as security forces hunt for those responsible.
A low-level conflict since 2004 has killed thousands of people as rebels in the Muslim-majority region battle for greater autonomy.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
