Thailand Decides to Keep Open Sungai Golok's Boat Crossing

By MOHD HAIKAL MOHD ISA BANGKOK, June 7 (Bernama) -- Thailand has decided to keep the seven boat crossings at Sungai Golok in Narathiwat opened as usual for the convenience of users from Thailand and Malaysia during the holy month of Ramadan. Nevertheless, government spokesman Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said, the seven boat crossings will be put under intensified security inspection by the authorities to deter any illegal activities such as smuggling. "The people of two countries, Thailand and Malaysia could still use the boat crossings but inspections (by the authorities) to prevent untoward incidents at the areas will be intensified," he said during a media conference here Tuesday. According to him, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed relevant authorities at the border areas to increase their vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents. Sansern was responding to a recent news reports of demonstration by a group of local villagers on the government's move to close several of the boat crossings at Sungai Golok due to concerns about smuggling activities in the area. The local villagers alleged the government's move to shut the boat crossings since last Friday had brought negative results on their livelihood. According to the spokesman, two of the seven boat crossings were opened legally by the government while the rest were operated independently by the local villagers. Last week, Army Chief Gen Chalermchai Sittisart visited Narathiwat and said that the army would increase their presence along the border to keep a check on illegal activities including smuggling of people, goods and firearms. -- BERNAMA