Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said police are concerned about the possible surge in illegal border crossings in view of  Sungai Golok becoming increasingly shallow.

“The shallow conditions could create opportunities for certain parties to cross illegally, particularly during the festive season. I urge the public not to break the law and to use legal routes to avoid action being taken against them,” he said.

He said authorities would intensify enforcement and monitoring at hotspots frequently used by local residents and Thai nationals for illegal crossings.

The public should use authorised border checkpoints such as those in Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Kubor and Bukit Bunga, he said.

The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency has said that about 50,000 travellers are expected to use the Rantau Panjang checkpoint during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.