Thousands of Thai nationals stranded in Malaysia are eager to return home, but only 300 will be allowed in per day, the authorities said.
More than 7,000 Thais became stuck in Malaysia when the border was closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but Rear Adm. Somkiat Polprayoon of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center on Wednesday said only 300 could be repatriated daily, starting this weekend.
They were among Thais stranded worldwide by the government’s decision to close its borders, stop all air travel, and refuse to allow citizens to return home. Legal challenges have been filed asserting the decision was illegal given constitutional protections for all citizens’ right to return.
Thailand on Thursday reported another 29 cases and three deaths due to COVID-19. The official count is now 2,672 infections and 46 fatalities since the outbreak began, though limited testing means the number is likely much higher. In Malaysia, the numbers are roughly double despite a strict nationwide lockdown.
On this Saturday, Somkiat had said that four Thai-Malaysian border crossings would reopen for a limited number of Thais to return home: the Wang Prajan checkpoint in Satun province (50 people), the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province (50 people), the Betong checkpoint in Yala province (100 people) and the Su-ngai Kolok crossing in Narathiwat province (100 people).
At that rate, it would take over three weeks for them all to return home.
More Thais who wish to return can contact the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur at +60 3-2145 8004 or its Facebook page.
On Tuesday, 45-year-old Rattanapon Pan-aun was rescued from the sea by marine police in Satun province as he attempted to swim home from Malaysia. Rattanapon told officials there were more Thais stranded in Malaysia looking for help getting home. He faces possible prosecution for evading border controls.
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