A persistent influx of Rohingya refugees transiting through Thailand to Malaysia is placing a significant strain on border security and heightening concerns about human trafficking, a top Thai official said Saturday(October 1).

Wichan Chaisetsumpan, Vice-Governor of Narathiwat Province, identified the Sungai Golok river, which separates the two nations, as a primary route for unregulated crossings.

"Many Rohingya regard Malaysia as a preferred destination due to its Muslim majority population and perceived employment opportunities," Wichan stated. However, he warned that this increasing number of undocumented arrivals poses "serious security risks" and has elevated concerns about human-trafficking networks operating along the border.

The vice-governor noted that the porous river border is also being exploited for other criminal activities, including "illegal labour transfer, drug smuggling and export-import evasion."

The movement of Rohingya, fleeing persecution in their native Myanmar, has long been a complex humanitarian challenge in Southeast Asia. The volume of irregular entries now puts significant pressure on border-management systems and increases the vulnerability of refugees to exploitation.

In response, both countries are tightening security. Malaysia has begun erecting warning signage, approved the construction of a barrier wall along the Sungai Golok, and tightened penalties for violations.

On the Thai side, the Narathiwat provincial administration is conducting public-awareness campaigns on the legal risks of unauthorised crossings. Wichan also highlighted a new boat-registry system for fishing vessels along the river, aimed at preventing their use in unlawful migration.

Wichan described these initiatives as a "constructive sign of bilateral cooperation" to manage the frontier region. The developments underscore the broader regional need for coordinated refugee management and the risks posed by porous borders during humanitarian crises.

BOB Post