Border Security Tightened in Kelantan Following Southern Thailand Attacks, No Infiltration Detected

PASIR MAS, Aug 23 — Security along the Malaysia-Thailand border in Kelantan has been tightened following coordinated bombings and violent attacks across three southern Thai provinces, with authorities confirming no infiltration attempts by militants or guerrillas thus far.

General Operations Force (PGA) Southeast Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain stated that front-line personnel have been placed on high alert as a precautionary measure to detect and respond swiftly to any potential border breaches.

“We are constantly reinforcing border controls and reminding our front-line teams to stay vigilant. We will act swiftly if there are any incidents or attempts to enter,” Ahmad Radzi said.

He noted that, aside from heightened alertness following the southern Thailand blasts, the main ongoing challenge along the frontier remains the entry of undocumented migrants.

Ahmad Radzi emphasized that bilateral cooperation with Thai security agencies remains solid, with the Regional Border Committee (RBC) serving as an effective vehicle for intelligence-sharing and operational coordination.

An upcoming RBC meeting is scheduled for Sept 1 to 3 in Hat Yai, Thailand. The meeting will be attended by Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, Kedah Police Chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah, the acting Perlis police chief, Ahmad Radzi, and representatives from the Malaysian Armed Forces. The RBC operates through six working groups covering border management, land affairs, disaster response, and intelligence.

On the ground, PGA personnel have intensified patrols and surveillance at strategic locations in Pekan Rantau Panjang, particularly along key access routes leading to the border.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed that no Malaysians were caught in Saturday night’s violence across the three southern Thai provinces. However, he advised Malaysians to exercise caution and postpone non-essential travel to Thailand until the security situation stabilizes.

Narathiwat province was placed under a curfew from 10:15 pm on Saturday to 5:00 am today following more than 50 coordinated bombings, arson attacks targeting government offices, and tyre-burning. The powerful explosions shook border homes and raised alarm among residents in nearby settlements, including Kampung Lubok Gong and Kampung Tersang in Rantau Panjang.

-NMT