RANTAU PANJANG: The number of Malaysians making land crossings into Thailand has seen a drastic drop since Saturday, when a bomb attack in Sungai Golok injured eight people, including two Malaysians.

A Kelantan Immigration Department spokesman said on average of 400 Malaysians pass through the checkpoint here into the border towns of Sungai Golok and Narathiwat daily.

However, since Sunday, only 280 have done so and the figure was expected to drop further by the end of the week.

"Leisure travellers are staying home because they are afraid of another bomb attack in the sub-province.

"Those who enter Thailand seem to be traders who have business links in the country."
The spokesman also said that during public holidays like yesterday's Wesak Day, many Malaysians visit Thailand for a one-day shopping or entertainment excursion, but they now seemed to be staying away.

Several frequent travellers to Thailand were worried about future attacks.

Local trader Othman Razak said those without business concerns in the neighbouring country had cancelled immediate travel plans out of fear of becoming victims.

A check at Rantau Panjang showed that businesses were operating as usual despite the latest incident, which occurred just 800 metres away.