Malaysia’s National Day celebrations extend across the border to Dannok

Malaysia’s National Day celebrations crossed into Thailand, where Dannok residents and local businesses joined a parade through the border town. Sadao District Officer Kritchanat Phonrat, local authority representatives and students from several schools also took part.

The sight of Thai participants carrying the Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia’s national flag, was highlighted in social media posts about the event. Their participation was presented as a reflection of the close relationship between communities on both sides of the Malaysia-Thailand border.

The ties between Kedah and Songkhla extend beyond trade and tourism. The communities also share close social and cultural connections, making the celebration a symbol of friendly relations that continue to grow through contact between local residents.

Organizers said “Merdeka Day” was launched by Dannok’s private sector as a new way to promote the town as a tourist destination, particularly among Malaysian visitors. A large number of tourists from Malaysia attended during the two-day event.

Their presence brought economic benefits to hotels, restaurants and other local businesses. The money circulating in the area was estimated at tens of millions of baht. With Dannok located near the Malaysian border and heavily dependent on visitors from its neighboring country, the organizers viewed Malaysia-focused events as a way for Thailand’s private sector to diversify the town’s tourism offerings.