The high demand for illicit fuel, usually sold at between 28 baht (RM3.64) for a one-litre bottle and 250 baht for a nine-litre can at stalls in Sungai Golok, ensures great profit for those engaged in the smuggling and sale of subsidised fuel meant for Malaysians.
Sungai Golok deputy mayor Aphichet Jeh-Ouma said more than 100 petty traders were engaged in selling smuggled fuel from Malaysia by the roadside around Sungai Golok to Yala town.
“The Thai authorities frequently admonish these sellers, but they are stubborn, claiming that they need to survive,” Bernama reported him as saying.
Aphichet said the illicit fuel has ready buyers in Sungai Golok even though it is being sold at higher prices than in Malaysia, as it is still cheaper than the price of legal fuel in Thailand.
He however denied claims that Malaysians were buying smuggled petrol and diesel, as they usually come in their own vehicles filled with petrol or diesel before entering Thailand.
“Even if there are such cases, those are isolated incidents, such as people who resort to buying fuel by the roadside after running out of fuel due to traffic jams,” he added.
Trader Saleeha Abdullah, 56, said the price of RON95 petrol in Thailand, which currently exceeds RM5.36 a litre, spurs the high demand for smuggled petrol in Thailand.
According to her, petrol sold in bottles by the roadside is mainly used by motorcyclists and sold at between 28 baht to 30 baht a litre.
“All the bottles found at the roadside are of different brands. Their prices vary and always fluctuate according to the level of difficulty in obtaining supply.
“Many traders sell illegal fuel along the road to Narathiwat town as if they’re selling drinks,” she said.
Trader Mat Yi, 40, said he sold up to 100 litres of petrol, better known as benzene 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.