Petrol, Diesel Smuggled From Malaysia Sold Widely In Sungai Golok

By Adnan Mohamad

NARATHIWAT, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The sale of smuggled subsidised petrol and diesel from Malaysia continues on openly at roadside stalls long the streets of southern Thailand, thanks to the vast difference in prices in both countries.

The high demand for the illicit products, which are usually sold between 28 baht (RM3.64) for a one-litre bottle and 250 baht (RM32.50) for a nine-litre can at stalls in Sungai Golok, ensures great profit for those engaged in the sale and smuggling of subsidised fuel meant for Malaysians.

Sungai Golok deputy mayor Aphichet Jeh-Ouma told Bernama recently that there were over 100 petty traders engaged in selling smuggled fuel from Malaysia by the roadside around Sungai Golok town to Yala town.

"The Thai authorities do frequently admonish these sellers of illegal fuels, but they are still insistent, claiming that they need to do so to survive,” he said.

He pointed out that there were ready buyers in Sungai Golok even though the fuel is being sold at higher prices than the subsidised price in Malaysia as they were still lower than the price of fuel in Thailand.

Aphichet denied claims that Malaysians were buying smuggled petrol and diesel as they usually came in their own vehicles that were already filled with petrol or diesel before entering Thailand.

"Even if there were cases, those are isolated incidents such as people running out of fuel due to traffic jams, so they resort to buying fuel by the roadside,” he added.

Meanwhile, a trader who Bernama spoke to, Mat Yi, 40, said he sold up to 100 litres of petrol, which is better known as benzine in Thailand, sent by a supplier from Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas.

"I myself am not sure how they obtain the fuel but I’m convinced all of it is smuggled from Malaysia.

“We know that selling petrol and diesel smuggled from Malaysia is wrong but many do so,” he added.

Fellow trader, Saleeha Abdullah, 56, said the price of RON 95 petrol in Thailand, which currently exceeds RM5.36 a litre, was spurring the high demand for smuggled petrol in Thailand.

According to her, petrol sold in bottles by the roadside was mainly used by motorcyclists and sold at prices between 28 baht to 30 baht (RM3.90) a litre.

“All the bottles placed at the roadside are of different brands and their prices vary and always fluctuate according to the level of difficulty in obtaining supply.

“If it’s a more famous brand then the price can be quite steep but everything comes from Malaysia. All along the road to Narathiwat town, there are many selling this and it’s as if they’re selling beverages,” she added.

-- BERNAMA