BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) complex faced heavy traffic for the fourth day running as Malaysians thronged the border to enter Thailand for the school holidays and Christmas celebrations.
As of 3.30pm, traffic remained congested at the car exit lanes and inspection counters, while entry inspection counters were reported to be clear and operating smoothly.
Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS Enforcement Unit chief Naziah Mohd Yusoff said the congestion had persisted since Thursday as holidaymakers headed to Thailand.
"Based on data, 10,697 Malaysians travelled to Thailand on Friday, and this number rose to 14,820 yesterday, starting as early as 6am. Today, the figure continues to climb, with 5,931 travellers recorded between 6am and 12.16pm," she said when met at the Immigration Department office at the ICQS complex today.
Checks around Bukit Kayu Hitam and nearby Changlun found bumper-to-bumper traffic, with vehicles spilling onto local roads and clogging the northbound lanes of the North-South Expressway (Plus).
Yesterday, it was reported that Malaysians making their way across border checkpoints in Kedah and Perlis for their holidays caused traffic congestion at the border checkpoints.
Despite the reported congestion, travellers described the immigration process at the checkpoint as smooth.