Well, was reading NST online…
FUEL-BUYING FRENZY AT BORDER: Thai motorists start crossing over at 7am
Thai nationals being turned away from a petrol kiosk in Rantau Panjang yesterday. Many of the petrol kiosks in border towns were empty for a few hours yesterday morning due to confusion over when the ban on sale of fuel to foreigners would take effect. — NST picture by Fathil AsriRANTAU PANJANG: Thai motorists are rushing to fill up at petrol stations along the border area although the government had postponed the ruling which prohibits them from filling up their vehicles’ tanks with subsidised fuel to Monday.
Many Thais apparently did not know about the decision and thought that yesterday was the last day they were allowed to buy subsidised diesel in Malaysia.
A check at the border yesterday showed that people were coming from as far away as north Thailand and they had crossed over to Kelantan as early as 7am. Their number had swelled to 800 by afternoon.
Members of the General Operations Force (GOF) and officers from the State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs were here to keep an eye on the situation, especially at the town’s four petrol stations.
However, despite their presence, quarrels have been reported between motorists and petrol station operators.
A spokesman of the state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs said the quarrels were the result of a misunderstanding.“Thai motorists thought that they were stopped by GOF members while passing the checkpoints because they were not allowed to enter the state, but it is not so.
“They (GOF members) are merely carrying out routine checks.
“The petrol station operators are claiming that we are at their premises because they are not allowed to sell fuel to Thai motorists effective today.
“That is also not true. We are there to monitor the situation,” he said.
The government had earlier decided to ban the sale of diesel and petrol to Thai motorists from yesterday, but the deadline has now been extended to Monday.
Che Yam Che Seman, who runs a petrol station, said the government should consider the impact of its decision on petrol station operators.
“They can increase the price of the fuel, but do not do it this way. Ninety per cent of our clients are Thais.”
Adnan Bongsu, a Thai, said: “I and my friends cross over here to buy diesel for our daily use.
“We find that we can save a lot of money if we buy the fuel here instead of buying it in our country.”
And… read the italic wording…
Adnan Bongsu, a Thai, said: “I and my friends cross over here to buy diesel for our daily use.
“We find that we can save a lot of money if we buy the fuel here instead of buying it in our country.
Oooolalalala.. bugger, i am paying for the thai for their fuel! Grrrr…… STOP THE MADNESS!