FUEL-BUYING FRENZY AT BORDER: Thai motorists start crossing over at 7am - NST

RANTAU 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.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/2254899/Article/index_html]