KOTA BARU: Police are urging Malaysians planning to visit southern Thailand during the upcoming Deepavali holidays to exercise heightened caution following seven coordinated attacks and bombings in the region on Oct 9 and 10.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain advised travellers to stay updated on the latest developments in Thailand.
"I anticipate that many Malaysians will travel to the neighbouring country for the holidays. In addition to being vigilant, I recommend that Malaysian travellers avoid areas typically targeted by those involved in these attacks," he said.
Travellers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the current situation in Thailand before their journey.
The recent violence, attributed to suspected insurgents, resulted in the deaths of a policeman and a villager, and primarily targeted security forces in the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani.
During school and public holidays, thousands of Malaysians frequent southern Thailand, entering through border points in Kelantan, Perlis, and Kedah.
Beyond shopping, many Malaysians are drawn to the region for its delicious and affordable Thai cuisine.
A popular destination for tourists is Ban Thon, a beach village located some 18km from Narathiwat town. Here, visitors can witness aeroplanes flying close to the rooftops of a well-known restaurant.