Panic in border town of Golok as blasts, shutdowns leave Malaysians stranded

Panic in border town of Golok as blasts, shutdowns leave Malaysians stranded

KOTA BARU: Panic gripped the border town of Golok in southern Thailand, with military and fire trucks deployed on the streets following a string of loud bomb blasts.

A Malaysian visitor, who wished to be identified as Main, 35, described the scene as chaotic, with key access roads shut down by security personnel shortly after the explosions were heard.

Main had arrived in Golok with a friend yesterday afternoon and planned to return to Kelantan before the border checkpoint closed at 10pm.

However, explosions rang out around 9pm, forcing him to rush toward the Golok Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex, where security officers turned him back.

He said strict roadblocks were set up across the town, with authorities turning away any vehicles attempting to pass through the affected areas.

After hearing the first blast, he spoke to residents who confirmed that coordinated attacks were occurring at multiple locations in southern Thailand

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Visibly shaken, Main admitted he could not sleep out of fear and was anxious to cross back into Kelantan at first light today, though he worried about continued movement restrictions.

He is currently staying at a hotel in Golok until border crossings are reopened.

The chaos follows a series of near-simultaneous bomb blasts and arson strikes across Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat that began around 8.15pm yesterday.

According to Thai local media, at least 12 locations were targeted in the coordinated wave, which involved explosive devices, tyre fires, vehicle arson, and attacks on public facilities and local businesses.