Smuggling continues at Malaysian border

Fuel smuggling from Malaysia to Thailand continues with rising prices despite higher vigilance on the border and the threat of harsher punishments. Sedans and pick-up trucks from Malaysia have been spotted plying the roads towards the Tak Bai, Sungai Kolok and Waeng districts of Narathiwat province to discharge cheap fuel. The activities emerged after Malaysia slapped a limit on gasoline sales to foreign-registered vehicles. Previously, Thai and Singaporean motorists had been rushing to Malaysia to fill their tanks and take advantage of lower fuel prices there. According to a source, diesel fuel can be bought at 25 baht (US$0.75) a liter in Malaysia and sold illegally at 30 baht (US$0.90) in Thailand. Regular petrol can be bought at 27 baht (US$0.81) a liter and sold at 32 baht (US$0.96), while premium petrol is bought at 28 baht (US$0.84) and sold at 33 baht (US$0.99). (June 4, 2008)