#NSTViral: Malaysians head to southern Thailand despite boycott calls, travel advisory

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians continued to cross into southern Thailand during the Merdeka Day long weekend, despite recent boycott calls and travel advisories. Long queues were observed at border checkpoints in Perlis and Kedah, particularly at Padang Besar. Videos and photos on social media showed vehicles stretching back at Padang Besar border checkpoint as early as 7am.

Threads user @nrul.fatihah_ posted images of long immigration counter queues. A TikTok user shared a video of heavy traffic at Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex around 8.30am. The scenes raised amused reactions on social media, with some users commenting on the irony of Malaysians traveling to Thailand for the holiday.

Others expressed surprise at the willingness of travelers to endure long queues despite calls to boycott Hat Yai following complaints of strict enforcement by Thai traffic police. The calls came after Malaysian authorities reminded drivers to respect foreign laws following fines imposed on several Malaysian bikers in Thailand. The cross-border movement also happened despite Malaysian authorities advising the public to avoid non-essential travel to southern Thailand following coordinated attacks in Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala last week. These attacks led Malaysia to tighten security along its border with Thailand.