KOTA BARU: Malaysian subsidised items continue to attract consumers in three sub-provinces in Thailand.
Previously, there were news reports on Malaysian 1kg cooking oil in the polybags along with other essential items being smuggled to Thailand but now Malaysian subsidised petrol has also been openly sold in three provinces in the country.
Despite it being a subsidised item and only meant for Malaysians, petty traders in the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani continue to sell the fuel to local motorists.
A Thai woman who only wanted to be known as Saedah said she has been selling Malaysian subsidised petrol since 2018 in front of her sundry shop in Narathiwat.
"My shop is located close to the main road from Takbai to Narathiwat and most of my customers who buy my petrol are Thai motorcyclists.
"I obtain the Malaysian petrol from several Thai suppliers every weekend and sell them in bottles and plastic containers," said the 56-year-old.
The mother of four said she realised that the petrol has been smuggled to Thailand but she has no choice except to continue with the business.
"I have been selling this fuel since five years ago and have been gaining good income from it.
"Thai motorcyclists like to buy Malaysian petrol due to its cheap price and l managed to sell many litres of petrol in a day," she said.
Thai motorcyclist Aini Samat said she bought the Malaysian petrol at a stall near her home in Kampung Muno four times in a week.
"I prefer to buy Malaysian petrol as the price is much cheaper. For example, l pay only 26 baht (RM3.40) for a litre of the petrol compared to the price of Thai petrol which is about 45 baht (RM6) per litre," said the 23-year-old clerk who works in Takbai.
She claimed Thai traders in other provinces in Yala and Pattani are also selling Malaysian petrol.
A recent survey showed that smuggled subsidised Malaysian petrol was openly sold at roadside shops along the way from the Sungai Golok sub-province to Narathiwat province.
The fuel is being sold in drink bottles and plastic containers and placed on wooden racks set up outside sundry shops and also residences.