Mad about Mundok
2009/03/02
By Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
MUNDOK (THAILAND): It is but a small village on the Thai side of Golok river but Mundok is already outshining the established towns of Sungai Golok and Takbai.
Mundok is the latest shopping haven, and has been drawing thousands of Malaysians each week over the past two years.
Lying just a few minutes by boat from the village of Bukit Lata near Rantau Panjang, Mundok consists of several rows of shophouses and wooden huts. There are also stalls selling various products.
The village was established more than 10 years ago but has only recently gained popularity.
The daily market, which opens from at 8am to 5pm, stocks almost everything, including fish, meat, vegetables, clothes, cooking utensils, blankets and pet birds.
The busiest days are Fridays and Saturdays, the weekend for Kelantan, and during the school holidays.
Many Malaysians prefer going to Mundok as it is relatively safe compared with Sungai Golok, which has been rocked by several bomb attacks since the unrest in the southern provinces of Thailand began in 2004.
"It is very near, and travelling there is cheap. The most important thing is it is safer than Sungai Golok. Takbai is a bit far," said housewife Salamah Mamat, 49, from Rantau Panjang.
The daily market can be reached in less than five minutes by boat and there are more than 10 passenger boats plying the route. Each passenger pays RM1 for a trip.
Another Malaysian, who declined to be named, said: "The goods sold here are RM3 to RM5 cheaper than in Sungai Golok and Takbai. There is also a wide variety of goods."
Security sources said there were no vice activities, such as prostitution, in the area
nst.com.my