15 Malaysian tow trucks allowed into Thailand to return flood-stranded cars from Hat Yai, can handle 45 per day – paultan.org

Fifteen Malaysian tow trucks have been allowed to enter Thailand to return vehicles stranded by floods in Hat Yai. Named reports.

“Previously, Malaysian tow trucks were not allowed to enter Thailand, but in this situation, the (Malaysian) Consulate has spoken to Thai authorities to allow our trucks to enter Hat Yai. We estimate that more than 200 Malaysian vehicles are stuck there since November 22 after the floods,” Thai insurance company Ammar Wafiy Johari said recently.

As of Nov 29, 15 vehicles had been brought out and depending on their condition, about 45 vehicles can be recovered per day, Ammar Wafiy said, adding that once in Malaysia, the vehicles will be stored in a secure location before being released to their owners, who will be required to provide documents including road tax, insurance and customs forms.

It was recently reported that the vehicles would have to be inspected by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) before being allowed to leave the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex (ICQS). This is to prevent the smuggling of drugs, contraband or other illegal items into Malaysia.

“Each vehicle will receive an inspection confirmation document signed by the AKPS officer or supervisor on duty. We are aware that human trafficking attempts tend to increase during the monsoon season, especially at key border crossings. As such, we will conduct thorough and detailed checks to ensure that any attempt to smuggle illegal items is detected and stopped,” Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS Commander Senior Asst Comm Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said recently.

Meanwhile, another Thai insurance company, Mohd Uzair Mohamad Daud, said he would propose to Malaysia’s Consulate General to increase the number of tow trucks: “At present, only 15 tow trucks have been approved, but I think this is not enough because there are many vehicles to be recovered and each truck can only handle three to five vehicles per day.”

According to tow truck operator Mohd Akmal Aniq Shahabudin, one of the biggest challenges was locating vehicles that had been displaced or swept away by floods, and that depending on its condition, it could take up to an hour and a half to get a vehicle onto a tow truck.

“When we find the car, some are blocked or trapped under other vehicles. To protect the vehicle, we use support straps to move it before loading it onto the tow truck, and we try to ensure that any parts that can still be salvaged are not damaged,” he said.

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