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RANTAU PANJANG – The atmosphere at the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex was unusually quiet over the weekend, believed to be a spillover effect from the bomb blast in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, Thailand, on Monday.
A check by Sinar at the border crossing between 6am and 8am on Friday found only a handful of private and tourist vehicles crossing into Thailand through the ICQS.
Most of those seen at the complex were Thai nationals returning home for the weekend and having their passports stamped.
However, a small number of local residents still crossed into neighbouring Thailand to visit Sungai Golok, Hat Yai and several other destinations for family matters, holidays and dining.
Local resident Minah Mat, 60, said although she was worried after hearing about the recent bomb blast that injured two Malaysians, her trip to Hat Yai had been booked long ago.
"We're travelling with a group of friends. We've planned this for a long time and the payment has already been made.
"All we can do is pray for a safe journey there and back. It's not that we're not worried, but we hope such an incident will not happen again," she said.
Motorcycle taxi operator Rahman Abdullah, 40, said Fridays are usually the busiest days, with crowds beginning to fill the Rantau Panjang ICQS before 6am.
He said on Friday was markedly different, with the complex remaining unusually quiet since Tuesday following the Tak Bai bombing.
"My friends and I could only sit and watch. Normally, on Fridays we're overwhelmed because so many people cross into Thailand for food and leisure.
"Between 6am and 8am on Fridays is usually peak hour, but this time it was very quiet," he said.
Trader Rosli Muhamad, 52, said he had no choice but to travel every Friday to the Sungai Golok weekly market to purchase goods for his business.
He said having travelled there regularly, he felt less fearful, although he continued to pray for everyone's safety.
"We're well aware that bomb attacks happen from time to time in the neighbouring country. That's why we have to remain cautious and keep up with the latest developments through social media and local news," he said.
Earlier, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat advised residents in the state to temporarily postpone non-essential travel to Thailand following the bombing.
On Monday, two Malaysians were injured after a Proton X50 sport utility vehicle they were travelling in was caught in a bomb explosion near the Phrai Wan subdistrict in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat province, Thailand.
The incident is believed to have occurred at about 11.41am local time. Both men reportedly sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital by authorities for treatment.
