KOTA BARU: The decline in the number of arrests involving Malaysians in the border town of Sungai Golok throughout last December reflects the effectiveness of preventive measures resulting from tightened border controls by the Thai and Malaysian authorities. Sungai Golok Police Chief Colonel Thun Sirikhunt said only seven Malaysians were detained in several enforcement operations during the period, involving cases of entering Thailand without valid travel documents as well as drug-related offences. He said one of them was arrested for a drug offence while the other six were detained for illegal entry into Thailand, indicating that syndicate movements are increasingly being curtailed before criminal activities can be carried out. "Methamphetamine or Yaba pills remain the main prohibited substance being smuggled, therefore enforcement operations will continue to be intensified,” he told Bernama. He said continuous integrated operations are being conducted involving the police, military, Sungai Golok District Office and the Mayor’s Office, in addition to close cooperation with the Malaysian authorities to curb cross-border crime.

Source: The Star January 07, 2026 07:22 UTC