Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Narathip Phoyanok said soldiers had been ordered to monitor all illegal border crossings along the river. The southern army chief stopped short of saying all illegal jetties and unregistered boats would be shut down. Lt Gen Narathip said the army would discuss appropriate measures to regulate the piers with Interior Ministry officials and residents along the river. Thai authorities have identified about 200 illegal jetties and 900 unregistered boats operating on the Golok river. Some young Malaysians also illegally cross the river for the entertainment and illegal drugs in adjoining Sungai Kolok district township.

Source: Bangkok Post January 12, 2026 08:37 UTC