KOTA BARU: Kresek mosque in Pattani, where 32 Muslim men were killed in a brutal attack in 2004, has become one of the top destinations for Malaysian tourists in Thailand last year.
Visitors normally choose to stop at the mosque, which was designated as a historical site by the Department of Fine Arts of Thailand in 1935, whenever they visit the province, either during school or public holidays.
One of them, Che Yusniah Che Soh said she and her friends stopped at the mosque to perform Asar prayers.
"After finishing our prayers, a man believed to be an imam assistant approached us and started to tell the story (on the 2004 attack). He showed us the damages caused by the attack around the mosque," said the 39-year-old from Kota Baru.
The mother of three said Malaysian visitors appeared to be "at awe" by the damages sustained by the mosque, especially the bullet holes on the wall.
"Many just could not believe that some parts of the mosque are still strong despite being repeatedly hit by bullets," said Che Yusniah.
According to the mosque's assistant imam Ahmad Daud, 54, Malaysians especially those from the east coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu, travelled just to witness for themselves the damage from the attack.
"For me and the imam, we will never tire of sharing the story with the visitors.
"We want everyone to know about the April 28, 2004 incident," he said.
It was reported that a total 2.96 million Malaysians travelled to Thailand in the first nine months of last year, contributing 75.63 billion baht (RM10.5 billion) in tourism receipts.
Based on the latest statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS), Malaysian tourists arrival grew by 5.56 per cent from 2.80 million in the same period of the previous year.
Apart from the mosque, other tourist destinations preferred by Malaysians included the Samila Beach, Hat Yai Floating Market and the famous shopping haven, Asean Trade Bazaar.