RANTAU PANJANG: Malaysians are once again streaming across the Kelantan–Thailand border for the year-end school holidays and Christmas celebrations, despite recent flooding in parts of southern Thailand.
Hundreds of travellers crossed through the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes at Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Kubor and Bukit Bunga today, with Rantau Panjang emerging as the busiest crossing point.
From early morning, families, couples and groups of friends were seen heading into Thailand for shopping, dining and short holiday breaks, particularly to nearby destinations such as Sungai Golok town and Narathiwat.
“For many families, crossing into Thailand during the school holidays has become an annual tradition.
“It’s close, affordable and offers a different experience for children,” said self-employed trader Izani Mahmod, 34.
Several travellers said they chose shorter trips or stayed closer to the border, opting for Sungai Golok town instead of travelling further south.
“We still wanted to go, but we decided not to travel too far this time. Sungai Golok town is enough for a day trip — shopping, food and sightseeing,” said clerk Nur Aina Abdul Fatah, 25, who travelled with her family from Pasir Mas.
Despite this, traders on both sides of the border said the steady influx of visitors had brought renewed activity to border towns, which depend heavily on cross-border movement during festive periods.
Authorities expect border traffic to remain brisk over the next few days, particularly at Rantau Panjang, as Malaysians take advantage of the final stretch of the school holidays before returning home.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
