Funneling Surveillance: Horizontal & Vertical

In the late 18th century, Jeremy Bentham, a philosopher and social theorist, coined the term, 'panopticon'. The 'panopticon' concept is actually an architectural marvel concept built purposely to monitor inmates (intensively) in a penal setting. It incorporates into it special viewing glasses (that seemingly 'magnifies' activities) on each of the entrances and/or doors of the building (on each level) and a circular rotunda or command centre for each floor where the authorities or officers were stationed inside. The idea is to allow penal or prison officers to have viewed or line of sight in (a 360^o format) on what is transpired within the confines of each cell. Bentham was troubled by the fact that many prisoners were unfairly handled, and prison officers got into trouble from mishaps either trying to resolve unforeseen circumstances or unnecessarily obliging too much lethal force that resulted in the deaths of prisoners and/or prison officers in the ensuing engagement. With 'panopticon', the officer or officers can use that knowledge to evaluate and anticipate the needed objectives require to safely end its violent cause and nature (Bentham, 1787/1995; Foucault, 1975).

Of course, in the late 18^th century, such technology, especially the optics, would hardly ever be possible. Nevertheless, Bentham’s fantasy and prescribed needs wanted an institution that can possibly fathom real criminal treatment and justice in accordance with the rule of law, and with that, effective watchmen, prison or penal officers (Foucault, 1975).

The Panopticon – Pics Dchan Archive

Benthamian's Future Sights 

Bentham’s vision was not realized until the latter half of the 20^th century where penal institutions around the the world began to station (on each floor) the control centre and command post in the middle of each floors. The purpose is to have a circular 360^o line of sight of all the surrounding cells. Additionally, the panopticon also engages around-the-clock surveillance. This utilitarian philosophical concept embodies humanism in terms of Benthamian thought, hence a righteous manner of punishments and sanctions (Foucault, 1975; Galič, Timan, and Koops, March 2017).

Some academicians, professionals, and authorities are nonchalant and feel that the 'panopticon' concept breaches privacy and rights. They are being critical because there are remnants in law enforcement society where technology is not being utilized as a way to enhance work efficiency, and/or aiding technology to bring resolution to conflicts in a peaceful manner, but rather, perverting equipment or technology to their own ends of how they are to be used (Sheridan, 2016; Galič, Timan, and Koops, 2017). On the other hand, technologies may malfunction, and hence, accidents occurred. Nevertheless, Bentham's vision of the panopticon has expanded multiple folds on multiple fronts. 

Today, the two most noticeable technologies that are perhaps easily noticeable are the closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) and the access controls. In the 21^st century, however, critics of surveillance have now focused their attention on the flow and control of information (Caluya, 2010).

CCTV Surveillance Warnings that the Area is Being Watched!!!! – Pics Dchan Archive

In one word, the panopticon is surveillance. Not just surveillance, but intense surveillance. Today, surveillance is not just about CCTVs but more importantly, information, and how it is perceived and evaluated. Information gathered in this way is crucial because authorities then can discover and get the facts needed to resolve each difficult issue (Sheridan, 2016). Information no matter how difficult can help us piece together puzzles into one holistic picture for our understanding. From East Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) to the edge of space, and finding a needle in a haystack, it’s all about gathering information. The question is how we gather this information that allows authorities to evaluate the necessity as a threat or just plain spam. There’s so much junk and spam that authorities have only that much attention span to evaluate them all (Caluya, 2010).

Today, in Malaysia, surveillance has progressed, especially after the debacle of MH 370, the Sulu incursion, the various threats from the Islamic State or DAESH, other national security issues, espionage, trading of national secrets, etc. There’s so much information required to be processed and evaluated, and earlier, this essay mentioned the issue of junk and spam information in a sea of everything. Precision requires finesse and fine-tuning and the only way to proceed is utilizing technology that’s able to sieve and taper them into a holistic factual picture. This essay will focus on surveillance and the various technologies available in the market or in the making of it. The primary of surveillance discuss in this paper is one fold, that is, to focus on the border enforcement and how technologies and concept can provide a foothold inefficiently countering threats, resolving violence, and offer better deterrence and surveillance.

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) & The Wall

The previous Prime Minister (of Malaysia) Najib’s the administration was bent on building a wall between the Thai and Malaysian borders and using Forward Operating Base (FOB) to effectively securing the Sabah Eastern board. The idea behind the FOBs is using abandoned ex-PETRONAS oil rig platforms that can be anchored or secured off the coastal areas (malaymail.com, 2015, October 12^th). These platforms are then used to berth MMEA or Naval watercraft and perhaps flying vehicles (like helicopters) to head off further into the Sulu Sea or just off the permitted territorial seas of the Philippines. The President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte permitted neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia to conduct ‘hot pursuit’ activities by their respective security forces; and hence, these crafts can generally, head off into Philippine’s waters to chase after pirates, perpetrators, and kidnappers (Anis and Kaos, Jr, thestaronline.com, 2016, November 11^th).

Security Forward Operating Base Ocean/Sea Rigs – Pics Dchan Archive

Unpredictable natural disasters like strong gales, typhoons, electrical storms, floods, earthquakes, and even mudslides can either damned the walls or brittle the fences in the long run. Hence, it’s perhaps not ideal unless the walls are constructed like medieval castles.

Traders’ angst is perhaps not the only complaints. Many Southern Malay Thais and Northern Malays in Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah, and Perak have relatives living along the Malaysian-Thai border. These people are peaceful and they only want their livelihoods. Parts of Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, and Perlis were part of a more delicate statehood that was drawn and separated by the then British Colonials and Siamese Kings. After the Second World War and Malayan independence, these issues were never addressed properly, especially in terms of cross border relationships, race, and religion. Predominantly the Deep South of Thailand is predominantly Malay and many of them do not converse the Thai language. Only a couple of decades ago, the province of Songkhla decided to be more Siamese (predominantly, the Deep South’s ethnic groups still refer Thais as Siamese) rather than in favour of Malay influence. But then again perhaps, more Malays in Songkhla have migrated to Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala, or even to Malaysia, or other foreign countries with less discrimination. There are other reasons as well. Nevertheless, there are still four districts in Southern Songkhla province (close to Pattani Province) where the Thai-Malays still hold on to their language and culture (Engvall and Andersson, 2014, p.1; Perkasa, 2010, pp. 1-3). [For a more fruitful understanding of these relationships, a section on Northern Malayan history will be posted].

A Coach Filled with Passengers from Hatyai, Thailand Going to Malaysia – Pics Dchan Archive

A Coach Dropping Malaysian Tourists (on Weekends) at Danok, Songkhla, Thailand Immigration Queue

Pics  Dchan Archive

The FOB concept and building a wall are decisively temporarily tactful, and offer temporary solutions to deter perpetrators. Certainly costly to build and maintenance costs can be largely illogical. Additionally, they lack the pertinence for an incisive and intensive solution for surveillance. In the long run, perpetrators and criminals can wittingly still beat the system after learning its weaknesses and frailties.

Right now, even before the walls and fences are built, despite the various ICQ checkpoints, basically, they serve only as ‘civilizing friendship’ borders as ASEAN neighbours, but in reality, there are illegal lanes (‘lorong haram’ or ‘lorong tikus’ (rat lanes)) operated by Thai runners ferrying their countrymen avoiding these checkpoints. On the weekends, these illegal lanes serve weekend marketers who just want to hop across without any immigration formalities.

The Egyptians and Israelis have walls on their borders, and yet thousands of Arabs manage to beat the wall by building tunnels and crossing beneath (al-Mughrabi, Reuters, 2009, April 28^th). It had come to such embarrassment that even Katyusha rockets and launchers can basically be transported via these tunnels. What’s interesting here is that initially, the Egyptians and Israelis did not have any idea where these tunnels are located! (Issacharoff, timesofisrale.com, 2015, July 20^th). In the the end, the Israelis have to develop another technology to look for underground tunnels and eventually taking them out with precision bombs that do not destroy the environments and/or create sinkholes in the Southern Israeli neighbourhoods or the Israeli kibbutz. The wall and fence create such mistrust between the Arabs and Israelis that they become cruel implements and an objective to actually stop desperate Palestinians from getting from Gaza and reaching the West Bank, either for employment and/or seeking their loved ones and relatives.

A Fence to Separate Israel and Gaza 
- Pics Dchan Archive

A Part of the American Border Wall with Mexico – Pics Dchan Archive

Egyptian-Israeli Border Fence

– Pics Dchan Archive

If Malaysia do build the wall and fence at the Thai-Malaysian border, it only will burden both the border Malaysians and Thais. It will also destroy the so-called, Malaysian – Thailand Special Border Economic Zone (which is part of a broader initiative under the Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle Zone that runs from the borders of Satun – Perlis, Songkhla – Perlis and Kedah, Yala – Perak, and Narathiwat – Kelantan and connecting Indonesia from Banda Aceh to Palembang, Sumatra). In these states and provinces of Malaysia and Thailand, there are about 8.8 million people (Lord and Tantrongjita, 2016). Despite Malaysia account for 65% of the population in these border regions, restricting border movements can delay trading practices and also encourage traders to opt for other solutions that are slightly less of a hassle and could be wantonly illegal. Traders will no longer want to ply their trade across borders because they require time and energy to cross properly allocated checkpoints. Many have to make their way earlier to avoid the mad rush and traffic that will eventually swell and choke at the border checkpoints. Hence, if the implementations sought to seek better technology to sieve out threats, criminal activities, and deter those from using overland routes, then it has to be done in a very logically sound way that does not in any way restrict safe and sound passages for hauliers, border business traders, cross border students, and those that have close relations with their families on both sides of the divide.

Right now, it’s already a burden to logistical traffic that plies the trade between Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bangkok. Long lines of traffic are seen at the Singapore Causeway, no matter the time of the day. At Bukit Kayu Hitam and Danok checkpoints, it's undeniably terrible and burdensome, even for a lone traveller, on public holidays or even on days when logistical traffic gets jammed up at the borders. Border overland users and travellers offing to have an adventure will become irate at the burdensome traffic and will undoubtedly make them stay away from cross-border trading activities, in these regions. It’s no longer profitable with the time wasted and perhaps their goods and wares get heated up under the hot sun and spoilt. It has come to the attention that some haulier providers have shifted to Thailand by having goods carted from Phuket Port (from vessels coming from the West – Europe, India, Middle East, etc.) and transported via land arriving at Surat Thani Port to be carted to awaiting vessels that will further transport the goods and materials to Vietnam, China, Japan, South Korea and Russia (Asian Development Bank, 2012, p.5). One such company that has been doing this for the last few years is a Malaysian company called Tiong Nam Logistics. Tiong Nam Logistics have basically secured logistical feasibilities for Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand in the South (Zainul, 2018, March 18^th, thestaronline.com-Business News).

ASEAN wanted to have a formidable dream of a single ASEAN Community with fewer restrictions and possibly controls that can be virtually monitored and/or profiled virtually or at a distance by 2025. In the Mekong Region, China has basically penetrated its mantra of self-serving in the region, building and constructing infrastructure in roads, rail networks, telecommunications, and hydroelectric dams. China is visioning a world of logistical efficiency that allows trade to flow like a gentle stream (Bosu, 2017, May 22^nd, China.org.cn)

Night Time @ Su'ngei Kolok Thailand ICQ Exiting Thailand and Going to Malaysia – Pics Dchan Archive

The idea behind China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or One Belt One Road philosophy is to link China to the world in the shortest possible time avoiding expensive flight charges and dangerously high seas. Despite China will ensure hauling goods via approved logistical networks plying structured roadways (highways), rail networks, and sea lanes that connect cities in an efficacy manner, nevertheless, albeit the Chinese government will want it done properly, and in accordance to procedures; many times hauliers and truckers refuse to comply legally (Rowedder, March 2018, p.1391). These people, on the side-end of the business, will switch to smuggling and avoiding taxations of different contrabands from drugs to dead exotic species of wildlife. Cross border smuggling at the Malaysian – Thai border, most common commodities are sugar, cooking oil and Malaysian subsidized petroleum (Tagliacozzo, 2001, pp. 254-274). However, on the high seas, the poaching of Malaysian fisheries and marine aquatic plants and organisms are common as our stocks near our coastal waters still have marine live stocks (Sea Management Resources Sdn. Bhd., 2008). Of course, tragedy evokes sensibilities when serious issues like drug trafficking, kidnapping, and trafficking of human beings and organs become issues.

KART ASIA Existing Logistical Routes

- Courtesy from KART ASIA

A Chinese Truck from China at Padangbesa, Songkhla, Thailand – Pics Dchan Archive

The wall is not going to stop human trafficking and smuggling. Desperate agents for these undesirable activities will survey, do their studies, and become better informed on the loopholes and weaknesses. In a report produced by Human Rights Watch, it's determined most of the human trafficking in Peninsula Malaysia comes from the Andaman Sea and into the swampy, secluded, and forestry areas of Satun Province (in Thailand) and Perlis (HRW, 2017). Majority of the mass graves found were also in these border areas. The border checkpoint at Wang Kelian, Perlis is undoubtedly isolated and it only functions during the daytime and closes before 2000 Hours. From the Wang Kelian checkpoint, the closest civilization, Kaki Bukit, is about 8.2 KM away. To access Kaki Bukit, Perlis, the only visible road is via a steep and sharp winding ridge that crisscrosses parts of the limestone, Nakawan Range. No decent human being will ever fathom such a feat in the nearby secluded jungle terrain that’s swampy, muddy, mosquito-infested, wild animals, and inaccessible. The only ones desperate enough to make such a feat are illegal immigrants looking for economic opportunities, immigrants without formal documentations that are duped by agents for a fee, refugees, and human traffickers.

An Illegal Tunnel Beneath the Border of Gaza and Israel. Israel Destroyed This Tunnel A Few Years Ago

– Pics Dchan Archive

Earlier in this essay, it describes the credibility of the FOBs in the ESSCOM region of Sabah. FOBs require manpower to be stationed, 24/7. Those manning the bases have to have the courage not only of stealthy perpetrators attacking their posts but bad weather as well. The weather can be very unpredictable, and the personnel who are station at these bases have to bear and ride out weather – no matter how unpleasant the experience can be. The worst scenario is when the storm becomes so unbearable that the rigs become overburdened, the loss of lives from drowning, and loss of equipment like vessels, watercraft, and aircraft. In 1989, 91 crews of the Seacrest Drillship perished under Typhoon Gay that produced 40ft waves in the South China Sea. Seacrest Drillship is an American-Thai oil and gas drilling platform based out of Songkhla province. During the Typhoon activity, the Drillship was securely anchored to the seafloor but the massive burst of the waves just capsized the whole Seacrest Drillship bringing with it 91 crews (Energy Global News – the Quest for Energy, 2018).

Apart from the weather issue, activities on the rigs require basic needs like food and water to be constantly replenished. The service of machines, communication equipment, weapons, and ammunition must be regularly maintained to ensure working order as the salt-air environment easily corrodes and/or damages equipment. Fuel has to be constantly replenished, as well, for outward surveillance and patrolling activities. Moreover, fuel cannot be stored in large quantities as it poses safety concerns and the space allowed to store the amount of fuel. As such, vessels, watercrafts, and aircraft have to return to the mainland for maintenance and refuelling, thus making the routine rather insurmountable and not economical.

Surveillance in this sense will rather become more and more burdensome, less precise, and the focus gradually diminished because of the laborious effort. Support is at best tiresome and strategically inconclusive, to come in at the right moments.  Jeremy Bentham did not envision his 'panopticon' to be a tireless, incapable concept, he wanted precision and intelligence. That said, the new world surveillance capabilities have to be more precise and accurate in areas of documentation, detection, and even defeating capabilities.

Geometric 3-Way Conal Surveillance

Borrowing and utilizing the concept, ideals and the methodologies of Pierre L’Enfant, he came out with urban design, topographic landscape, and architecture in a the geometric concept for Washington D. C. (Mann, 2006). Like Bentham, L’Enfant’s design is precisely a surveillance model in the concept of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). The onus here is to secure the certain areas deemed restricted like the White House, the State Capitol, Congress, U.S. Government Departments, etc. Despite L’Enfant’s concept and design visionalized crime prevention for the ages, it somehow lacked the impetus to proactively surveil, scan, or monitor for threats. Nevertheless, the reason it’s CPTED and the main purpose is to deter threats ‘passively’. Just think of this idea like a road hump, and when cars approach the hump, they are required to reduce speed, slow down and move gently over the road hump to prevent damages to the cars’ suspension.

Overland borders require active surveillance to monitor for oncoming threats and safety issues. To not refute L’Enfant’s concept, it’s more ideal we think of emission. With this emission, the projection will be cone-shaped. Imagine interstellar emission in the universe for some 150 pulsars (Rankin, 1993). This cone-shaped emission presented the observations of interstellar activities of the pulsars.

As surveillance emits from the heavens, vertically, and emits on the surface, horizontally, in open land and/or seascapes, this emission is thus cone-shaped. Cone-shaping’s emission is a physical relay by security surveillance equipment that’s coming from an aircraft, vehicle, and/or vessel that projects a scanning cone-shape design to capture images and/or detect physical objects or a certain programmed organic shape that resembles human figures via heat, microwave, or radio signatures to a certain area. To commit successful detection surveillance, a 3-way conal surveillance will have to be in place. As a result, the order to integrate all available security surveillance technologies, into two conceptual formats: A) The vertical funnelling surveillance; and B) The horizontal funnelling surveillance. Vertical funnelling will be the constant onset of real-time surveillance. Once the threat is detected, immediately horizontal surveillance will follow suit to detect other threats. In order to understand this vertical and horizontal surveillance, it’s imperative to examine each concept separately.

Design Dchan Archive

A)     Vertical Cone - Camera Surveillance from the Heavens

Vertical (Cone) funnelling forms a formidable format for top-to-bottom surveillance. Its feasibility is measured from above or below the clouds straddling either beyond or above the stratosphere. Only a flying craft can detect effectively with this feasibility. The best option for this sort of aircraft is a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)) (Shakhatreh et. al., 2018) that’s capable to stay up in the clouds for at least more than 12 hours. Blimps (airships) (Miller et. al., 2014) are also feasible flying craft that require less fossil energy or no fossil energy at all. Another newly marvel intervention from the stratosphere is the stratospheric satellite or stratolite (d’Oliveira et. al., 2016); balloons built for the stratosphere – this method is rather cheap and easily maintainable (Izet-Unsalan et. al., 2011); and stratospheric airship (Thales, 2018). The weather may cause turbulence and instability below the troposphere and stratosphere, hence, these aircraft don’t have problems with weather issues. However, the lens of monitoring cameras and sensors must be capable of penetrating through the thick clouds. But then again, in this modern age height is no longer the disadvantage. High powered optimum capacity concave and convex lenses with built-in sensors (that’s infrared capable or sending out electromagnetic waves called LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)) (Shakhatreh et. al., 2018), a memory storage that can accommodate ions data of information, and the flying craft’s immediate recognition algorithms that prompt horizontal to respond or activate horizontal radars automatically without human intervention but nonetheless prompt security officials for immediate recce and intervention. Despite the wonders vertical or cone funnelling, vertical funnelling in this aspect is advanced knowledge and 'trusted' information.

In order to understand correctly, the mathematical perception of the formula of a cone is calculated in volume (V) and as such:

V = ⅓πr²h (Khan Academy, n.d.). V only represents one volume of the cone. Hence, this formula only represents 1 conal surveillance cone. There are two more horizontal cones or radar detection (from the East and West). Therefore, in order to comply with image or radar recording, signalling, or capturing standards, the equation has thus to be: V = (⅓πr²h) x 3. Therefore, V = πr²h, and suddenly the cone formula becomes a cylindrical formula. The reason it becomes a cylindrical formula is that a cone’s volume is a third of the volume of the cylinder. In order to understand the attributes of the volume whether it's vertical or horizontal, it’s important to understand each aspect of the cone.

Nevertheless, the attributes of conal surveillance volumetric perceptions are just mathematical observations. The other attribute that’s also a mathematical imperative is understanding how camera lens operate and this is appended as follows:

Formulations – Dchan Archive

Despite the intricacies on the various understandings in terms of depth, magnification, distance in which the lens need to capture images, and zooming capabilities, can thus be applied via formulas that address capabilities. A layperson does not necessarily have to know how to calculate the effectiveness. All cameras built have certain specifications that come with it. Perhaps those in the technical areas may need to know what's the effectiveness (say) from the stratosphere (at 66,000 ft. or 20 km), or an altitude of say 20,000 ft. or 6.096 km. The reason is when buying such equipment one has to have some formidable knowledge of the effectiveness, range, clarity, ability to even measure capture and recognize images for perhaps comparisons using algorithms.

A)     Horizontal Cones - Network Radars, Multi-spectral Imaging, Radio Waves, (Big) Data Tracking, and Microwave Surveillance on the Surface

Horizontal funnelling entails monitoring by objects that are enhanced in via surveillance and control from the horizontal level. Horizontal surveillance is basically the usual patrolling reconnaissance, whether it’s with vehicle crafts or with manpower. Definitely, a laborious task and most times in war and in conflict areas its very dangerous. It’s dangerous because the line of sight and knowledge of the terrain and activities (whether it’s a territory belonging to an organic occupier) is foreign to most individuals. However, despite these disadvantages, interdiction is still required for the closure and arrest of perpetrators. Hence, without the horizontal surveillance feasibility is still incomplete and the matter unresolved.

i)                   Radar Surveillance

Radar surveillance is mostly synonymous with underwater sonar detection by submarines or surface vessels to detect enemy submarines or military vessels (Terma, 2018). Since the onset of piratical and human trafficking activities in many parts of the world, radar surveillance has become more important to detect unnamed vessels plying the high seas. Radar surveillance is not seen as a security equipment; it's also a very important safety equipment to locate vessels or people lost at sea in the event of natural disasters. Today's radar has the ability to detect vessels as far away as 25 km away.

Information and Power Point – Dchan Archive

ii)                   Multi-Spectral Imaging

Likewise, multi-spectral imaging hinge on the prospect to produce images that's either with heat signatures and/or signatures that's different from the surrounding environments (Terma, 2018). It can also give a prospective number of individuals whether inside the vehicle or vessel and perhaps their roles whether friend, foe, or hostages. Of course, cameras from the skies can also produce these images and if horizontal images can also equally confirm what's imaged in the skies, this will be an added advantage.

Mobile Vehicle Surveillance System (MVSS) Incorporating Multispectral Imaging and Radar Detections – Pics Dchan Archive

iii)                   Radio Signals

Radio signals or more specifically signals intelligence form the very basic form of communication and interaction between parties since the second world war. Today, and in the event of a disaster, radio signals can be tracked to the original location. This is called General Positioning System (GPS). The signals of GPS today is so important that even we, road users, use them to track the location and place where we are at and how we are supposed to get there. However, for other navigation uses, this is more complex and it serves to locate the particular vehicle or vessel at a distance. Without radar, aircrafts, vehicles, and vessels are blind and this can be very dangerous because the radar determines when a craft can berth or land. The black box of any aircraft emits radio signals so that rescuers can track it to the location of the incident.

An Unmarked Policing Van in New York City with Surveilling Equipment Attached to It's Top – Pics Dchan Archive

Microwave sensors – Pics Dchan Archive

The Extended with the other accessories

 – Pics Dchan Archive

Hybrid sensors incorporating both radio-microwave optics

 iv)                   Big Data

Data tracking, can be data either sent or received via personal computer systems, mobile, satellite phones, or radio signals sent from electronic equipment. Data tracking are two modes, firstly, the mode can be done via systems auditing. Secondly, from a standpoint of systems auditing, it can be further enhanced to become an artificial intelligence (AI) tracking mode. Auditing as we know it provides the kind of security for the check and balance, we require. Like for example, we can track via security access controls who passes the access on a particular entrance and we can also check when this person enters or leave. However, if there are way too many people to check like for example a main entrance in a shopping mall, we need a computer programme (interface) to track, search, and provide parameters to sieve out all the rest of the people (entering or exiting the entrance) for that required person. By and large this artificial intelligence for sieving data is not limited to just a certain software. It can be further expanded with or into other software to provide even more precise parameters to further detect the person. Hence, it provides the security audience what's being transpired and what went wrong in the event of a tragedy. It can also be a communication technology when the disaster evolves or in the midst of the event if any individual can access the equipment. Data can also be interspersed and/or even interfaced with all sorts technology – imaging, radio signals and/or waves, signatures of various sorts (like chemical, heat, or even metallic signatures). Data is so precise now that electromagnetic signatures and technology are no longer science fiction and it’s just a way to perfect them.

Microwave surveillance has yet to become a reality yet. A professor at the University of Michigan has come out with a unique way of detecting concealed weapons using microwave detection at the airports. But this technology has yet to be proven tacitly. The New York City Police Department is in the process of undergoing microwave to detect weapons and explosives from a distance of about 400 meters. How successful for these trials are still yet to be acknowledged, but definitely, right now there's technology (going to be) available soon.

As lay persons and even for non-pure-science academicians, understanding mathematical feasibilities will be too intricate and confusing. Unless we are physicists and/or engineers then perhaps its only important to understand the mathematical formulas, theories, and the functions. However, we need to know that technologies representing horizontal cones are important to capture the knowledge of: 1) Directions of the vehicles or vessels; 2) The number of vehicles or vessels on the surface; 3) The number of people aboard the vehicles or vessels - dead or alive; and lastly 4) Their firepower and threats.

(Big) data is synonymous with extremely large data sets that are analysed computationally to reveal patterns, trends, and associations, especially relating to human behaviour and interactions. For example, Mr. X, who lives in Ban Buketa, Narathiwat Province, Thailand, and every Wednesday, at 9:30am, he will be at the Bukit Bunga Customs and Immigration Quarantine (BBCIQ) before entering Jeli, Kelantan and onwards to Pasir Mas, Kelantan to sell his truckload of Tupperware. Mr. X has been doing every week for the last 8 years and it's constantly the same thing. And at 3:30pm, he will be at the BBCIQ on his way back to Thailand with about the similar load, if he did not sell anything at all because the business is bad, or his load could be lesser or smaller if the business is good. So when every time the facial recognition and behaviour algorithm will analyse his mood, friendliness, demeanour, etc., and his truck's conditions, contents, and to a certain extent cleanliness, etc. Suddenly, one day, big data alerted CIQ officers to remove him from his vehicle and requested him to report to the office for interviewing. Big data reasoned that there's a slight dent on the bumper of the vehicle, some paint were chipped off from the bumper. Additionally, Mr. X appeared impulsive, impatient, and slightly jittery. As he was waiting in the interview room, a police car arrived at the BBCIQ. BBCIQ officers were wondering about the police presence. The police believed that a Thai national and his vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident (at Pasir Mas) and they have prints from the CCTV footages of the hit and run vehicle.

Big data is today's morphing algorithms and its (today’s) very powerful, integrated systems, that more and more thinks with a human thought processes, but only that it’s knowledge is unbounded and thoroughly resourceful from end to end. Depending on the storage facilities and chip processing accelerations, the more storage, the better accommodations to adapt to storing faster chip processors for processing all and any relevant information as if the machine is a hybrid of a human brain applying neurons, conducting synapses, and transmitting information in light speed. Definitely, with such speed, time and knowledge save lives and apprehend offenders immediately. Additionally, investigations and operations conducted in this manner make many enforcement officers less stressful, and ultimately, aiding them in the eventful case closures without much incidents and dramas.

Big data is now in the creation of a ‘virtual border wall’ in the United States. A start up called Anduril is in the process of integrating sensing towers carrying cameras and sensor lasers powered by artificial intelligence algorithms to spot any person and to distinguish between human, objects, and animals in a 2-mile radius. On board of some American warships are modified and newly introduced radar surveillance systems known as ‘Sea Giraffes’ that can scan the air and surface for any seemingly threats. And recently at the University of Cambridge and India’s National Institute of Technology and Science just published a paper on using unmanned aerial surveillance to identify and profile violent individuals in crowds. Despite the project is utilizing unmanned aerial surveillance, it is by no means a project about aerial surveillance but how artificial intelligence profiles between suspicious violent behaviour and mannerisms and those that are not dangerous and violent. Finally, in Singapore, big data is now adaptable to not only use in military and law enforcements but also in sectors like welfare and happiness and how Singaporeans can move forward in a very competitive, structured, and demanding society and at the same time making Singapore enjoy their lifestyles, happiness, and raising good families.

Textron, Martin UAV V-BAT makes a transition from vertical to horizontal flight

Technological Fallacies

As mankind become more and more engross in automation and relying big data surveillance for information to solve issues on various fronts, evolving big data without audit, checks and balances can hybrid itself into sorts. Issues arise in this instance can increase unnecessary monitoring which can cause systems to crash or over enhancements that may trigger false alarms. Algorithms have to be constantly monitored by capable programmers to prevent unnecessary hacks and hybridization or program mutanization its program codes. This is not science fiction as long as artificial intelligence is built to mimic 'cognitive conditioning abilities'. Cognitive conditioning abilities is the ability teach, correct, and repair itself when it sees fit and the reason is because artificial intelligence seeks to perfect itself and become knowledgeable and resourceful to its audience. As we rely on the artificial intelligence’s ability as an invaluable piece of knowledge equipment, artificial intelligence may manipulate our (soon to be) weaknesses and we become enslaved to artificial intelligence. In the end, instead of us generating policies, it seems artificial intelligence may dictate our terms of references.

Surveillance with artificial intelligence that helps us to deter intrusions and threats is wonderful. However, when surveillance becomes unnecessarily pervasive, intrusions can be a threat to us as well as it violates our very essence or privacy. At New York’s La Guardia International Airport, patrons and passengers complained that they were being “gawked” at by ‘robots’ that are place at strategic locations to scan and profile threats. Passengers are fearful that artificial intelligence equipment are not just monitoring threats but perhaps are prying eyes to scan their naked bodies. The question is how do we draw lines to balance security and securing privacies. Perhaps policy makers need to better understand that machines can have discretion to read and scan but machines can opt to defer publishing images which are graphically insecure and violate our rights. However, machines can also be taught to enhance blurry outlines of weapons that attract either chemical, heat, or electromagnetic interferences. The public should also be educated to the fact that machines that secure our livelihoods also provide security to our privacies as well. In that sense, the why, how, and what can abstain our suspicions and thus we have no reason to be weary of their ‘spying’ abilities.

Lastly, preferably, these control stations (that have scores of monitor screens) ought to be run by professional staff that have been properly screened. A list of professional programmers is to be on standby at all times to deter and detect threats. Programmers should also conduct ‘threat drills’ to substantiate foreseeable incidents. The opportunity here is not so much of just rectifying but to understand in what way resolutions can best offer timings to end the threats and secure the facilities in the shortest possible time. Despite all what’s being said and done, there will always be evolving threats and nothing is perfect to the infinity.

Conclusion

Geometric conal surveillance is an important activity for border surveillance and especially one that includes a body of water, remote jungles and undulating landscapes. Geometric conal surveillance is two folds, vertical and horizontal. Horizontal surveillance are capable observations from the skies up to the stratosphere. Vertical opts for radio and radar surveillance that not only detect bodies but also the ability to sense threats. Surveillance can be pervasive and intrusive and the manner to minimize these issues are guiding and monitoring policies that can diminish unwanted behaviour and preserving professionalism amongst security professionals.

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U.S. to downgrade Malaysia in annual human trafficking report: source

A. Ananthalakshmi

WORLD NEWS

JUNE 28, 2018 / 9:37 PM

The U.S. State Department will downgrade Malaysia in its annual report on human trafficking to be released later on Thursday, a source told Reuters, just a year after the Southeast Asian nation was upgraded for making progress. (File pic)

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department will downgrade Malaysia in its annual report on human trafficking to be released later on Thursday, a source told Reuters, just a year after the Southeast Asian nation was upgraded for making progress.

Malaysia will be downgraded back to Tier 2 Watch List, a category denoting nations that deserve special scrutiny, in the State Department’s closely watched Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, the source said, declining to be identified as the report is not yet public.

The source said while Malaysia had made good progress on combating human trafficking, it had not been able to meet all its promises. The source did not provide details.

Malaysia’s Home Ministry was not immediately available for comment.

The U.S. embassy in Kuala Lumpur directed queries to the State Department, which said the TIP report would be released at 2 p.m. ET (1800 GMT) on Thursday.

Last year, Malaysia was upgraded to Tier 2, a list of nations making significant efforts to comply.

The government had demonstrated increased efforts by expanding trafficking investigations, prosecutions, and convictions, the State Department said then.

However, it had said Malaysia did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas, including victim protection.

It had also said complicity among law enforcement officials, in the form of accepting bribes to allow undocumented border crossings, hampered some anti-trafficking efforts. Culpable officials typically avoided punishment, the report said.

Malaysia has long been known as a destination for trafficking victims, including documented and undocumented workers.

It relies heavily on foreign workers from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines, among others. It has nearly 2 million registered migrant workers, but there are millions more in the country without work permits.

Malaysia was in Tier 3 - the lowest ranking in the TIP report - until 2015, when it was upgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List, a move that drew criticism in both Malaysia and the United States.

Several U.S. lawmakers had then questioned if the Obama administration move to upgrade Malaysia was politically motivated in an effort to get Kuala Lumpur to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Countries with the lowest human trafficking rating could not join the trade pact - from which the United States has now withdrawn.

The upgrade came just weeks after Malaysian authorities found 139 graves in abandoned trafficking camps near the Thai border in the northern state of Perlis. The victims were believed to be mostly Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar.

Human rights activists have criticized Malaysia’s actions over that case as inadequate. It charged four foreigners with human trafficking, but said it lacked evidence to charge Malaysian police officials who were suspected of being involved in the trafficking syndicate.

Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Alex Richardson

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Ref: Reuters News
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trafficking-report-malaysia/u-s-to-downgrade-malaysia-in-annual-human-trafficking-report-source-idUSKBN1JO1XR

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Padang Besar: Drastic Changes in the ICQS

Padang Besar, Malaysia in the state of Perlis is the second most Northern checkpoint after Wang Kelian, another immigration border post in Perlis. In Malaysia, the town is called Padang Besar and it's similarly called "Padang Basah" in Thai province of Songkhla. However, Thais prefer to just call it "Padang". Most times during the non-holiday seasons Padang Besar is a quiet affair save for those commuters from Thailand and Malaysia on their daily cross border business and trade and travellers relishing a spicier adventure on their travels.

Pedestrian crossing either by vehicles or walking 

Immigration at the Train Station

Padang Besar border crossing and immigration activities are perhaps the second most busy and active as compared to the Rantau Panjang - Su'Ngai Kolok border crossing. The reason, hordes of Malaysians especially the Malaysian Chinese on each weekends travel to Hatyai for religious reasons. Many in Malaysia today are Theravada Buddhist worshippers that's more closely related to the Indo-Chinese range of Buddhism. And however, if there are public and/or school holidays, Padang Besar becomes the alternative to Bukit Kayu - Danok crossing.

This weekend, as a continuation of this border crossing project, I did not realize that Malaysia is having the school holidays and thus even Padang Besar's vehicular and train crossings are inundated with travellers and tourists from Malaysia. I hated crowds and felt perplexed and the last time I came across these many people I fell ill. Luckily, this time again I took the train.

This two foreign girls, Micha and Justina, encountered a scam whilst trying to cross the border at the Padang Besar train station, at the Thai immigration section. This video is self explanatory and its not only the scam they faced but also harassment. Please watch this Youtube video which the both of them are kind enough to allow me to link on this blog:

Courtesy from Beer4Breakfast: Thanks so much, Micha and Justina

Despite some justifiable concerns, apparently Padang Besar is one of the safest land crossings in this region. The occasional touts that ferry passengers to the checkpoints or crossing the checkpoints may exacerbate the budget depending on the nature of the situation and the ignorance of the traveller, otherwise, if one is perhaps streetwise and aware of situations then the touts may backoff. As for myself, this time round, perhaps a little all familiar and with a body language that spoke of 'please backoff', and being too friendly, the Thai touts in reddish-orange jerseys understood.

This time round I will not be taking the train to Bangkok. It's a shuttle trip by train to Hatyai, about 45 minutes to an hour. More about this at the later sections of this blog.

The station is long and can accomodate a couple 

of trains on one platform.

The other side is on renovation so pedestrians 

are only using the vehicular bays' booths to

check their passports

Ah, yes, Padang Besar, compared with the other land-border crossings, this border has a train station ICQS (Immigration, Customs & Quarantine Services). Now there are two ICQS, the train station for the train travellers and the normal vehicle ICQS for pedestrians, commuters, and those that travel on vehicles. These are two separate entities. The train station ICQS is actually stationed on the Malaysian side of the border, and the train station ICQS is about 100 metres next to the vehicular and pedestrian ICQS. The train station ICQS incorporates both the Malaysian and Thai ICQS.

New Komuter train

Old Komuter train plying from Taiping 

KTM ETS can be from Gemas or KL Sentral

This Malaysian-Thai ICQS train station is supposed to be a simple and straightforward setup, however, it seems that the Malaysian authorities did not properly reassign this purpose. This mess was made after when the KTM's Electric Express Train Services (commonly known as ETS) and the Komuter (a communal inner-city/interurban city trains) started their services beginning of last year. Hence, the diesel trains no longer in Malaysia and from Thailand can use the rail services in the Northern region of Malaysia. The reason, the rail lines are unsuitable for diesel trains because their capacities are heavier. Moreover, the Thai trains capacity are absolutely and entirely different from the Malaysian rail specifications. As a matter of fact, there were some derailments when some of the diesel trains in Malaysia plied the ETS rail lines in the Klang Valley. KTM are in the process of upgrading the tracks. In the past there were direct train services between Butterworth (Penang) and Bangkok, Thailand. However, after the upgrading for Malaysian Northern trains to run in express electric mode, the Butterworth - Bangkok line was shortened to Padang Besar - Bangkok only.

Used to be the Butterworth to Bangkok train but now its only the Padang Besar to Bangkok train and vice versa

 So what has amending the train services got to do with the disorganization at Padang Besar train station ICQS? Well, firstly, and in the past, passengers bought their tickets at the Butterworth station or book online in Malaysia. Today, we cannot, because today, we have to purchase it directly from the Thai train personnel based at Padang Besar. Secondly, all of us have boarded the train in Butterworth already and the train station ICQS at Padang Besar only serve to check our passports and our luggage items. Thirdly, Padang Besar was not a stopover. Hence, the security authorities understood the procedures requiring to clear and board passengers without hassle. Fourth, those days there weren't any ETS or Komuter trains; the only ones available were diesel trains and the services were pretty much lesser like perhaps twice a day only, hence there was minimal disruption between various services. Lastly, like I said, Padang Besar was not a stopover and its not a stopover for transfer of services as well, meaning transferring from a Thai train to a local Komuter train or boarding an ETS service Kuala Lumpur.

So, how many services reach Padang Besar as of today? (1) At least there are more than 5 ETS services plying from either Gemas, Johor - Padang Besar or KL Sentral - Padang Besar. (2) Then, there is the Komuter Service running from Taiping, Perak or Butterworth all the way to Padang Besar - compared to the ETS this is a station to station stop thus its slower. (3) There is a twice-a-day shuttle service between Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand and Padang Besar, Perlis Malaysia - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. (4) The evening Thai train that departs from Padang Besar at 6:30pm to Bangkok. 

Perhaps if the government and authorities have studied this more closely and offer a framework, then the whole thing can be more effective and passengers do not have to wait for another train to alight, clear immigration, and board the other train. This will allow sufficient timings for both sides or else, simple redesigning of the facility using cheap resources.

The one building station design is perhaps sufficient. However, if there are more frequent services, perhaps its not ideal to utilize both arrivals and departures as a single entity. The building is sufficiently elongated and the frequent ETS and Komuter trains can station at separate platforms away from the international train services from Thailand. No one should be allowed to cross into the Thai territory until the papers are cleared. Right now, even if your papers are cleared, one can still cross into the Malaysian side (for food or drinks) and if someone decided not to go, then the papers are cleared but the person may forget to get the passport chopped on the Malaysian side. If somehow the person is stopped by a policeman outside Padang Besar, he or she may have to go back to Padang Besar for an immigration stamp.

At the Malaysian side of the immigration, and as a Malaysian, passport scanning was undoubtedly fast for most of us. However, if the Department of Immigration can station an automated scanning machine for our passports, it will most efficient. This is to allow Malaysians to scan their passports without standing in a long line of queue mixed with the foreigners. Moreover, this can allay concerns of immigration officers and they can perhaps focus on international travellers.

One last information about the train station. Despite the hustle, bustle, and the misfits, the enforcement authorities were very professional. It's not their prerogative that the situation mishandled in such a way, the Ministry of Transport, Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD) [Land Public Transport Commission], and various governmental agencies did.

The security officials managed to hold us until the arrivals from Hatyai cleared their passports and security checks. Then they directed us to clear our passports first at the Malaysian side and then the Thai side.

Despite the lines are somewhat long and widening, the process was actually smooth and efficient. This whole group happened to travel to Hatyai by train.

There were a couple of impatient Malaysian travellers (always them) who wanted to beat the line so they thought they went to the Thai side first and then the Malaysian side. But the authorities shouted at them and later they became slightly embarrassed and wanting to come over and cut the queue. Despite I found them embarrassing, I couldn't be bothered because I know the train would not just take off without their prize passengers.

Some passengers are getting impatient. The police bantuan is trying to handle the situation in the best way possible.

Then a thought quickly got over me and as I about to take some pictures with my handphone just about a metre from the Thai immigration booths, a policeman (well actually a police bantuan) quietly tapped my shoulder and shook his head and uttered his disapproval in Malay. I smiled and thanked him, because firstly, I was doing it on purpose and see whether anyone bothered, and secondly, just for a picture of efficiency, the Thai immigration side did their jobs.

Oh, for the Malaysian customs on the other end, before coming to the Thai side there were a number of them and the scanning machines were on. Passengers that carried multiple bags were asked to open up and explained about their items. But then, when its all said and done, the three of four of them started browsing their handphones and even my bags, were scanning through they did not even bother to look at the screen. They were busy fidgeting with Facebook.

Padang Besar - Hatyai shuttle

At last, I got on the train. This one without the air condition and it costs 50 Baht about MYR 6.13. After I boarded, we were still waiting for people to board.

So in the next short part, and since I have commented much about the train side of the ICQS, I'd just want to rewind back to the earlier afternoon after my arrival from KL Sentral, and my first quick activity was to go outside and looked at the vehicular and pedestrian ICQS.

Now, it seems that the vehicular and pedestrian immigration control end is undergoing major renovations to improve it on par with the rest of the Northern ICQS. I do agree that Padang Besar ICQS needed the sort of improvements so that ICQS and even the traffic flow can be managed in a better way. I didn't proceed way into the immigration and quarantine proper as I didn't want to later subject myself to unnecessary or difficult queries, and I was looking for lunch as well. Travellers that wished to go by Padang Besar and instead of Bukit Kayu Hitam (BKH) in Kedah was because they wanted to avoid crowds at BKH. Normally on Saturdays, Northern Malaysians especially Chinese folks made their pilgimage to some of the temples in Songkhla or Southern Thailand. Most Malaysians also avoided Padang Besar because bus coaches do not use this land crossing.

Pedestrians and vehicular passengers getting

their passport checked and stamped

Renovation in progress

So how did these people get across? Firstly, if a family drives or someone has a vehicle or motor bike, it's that easy. Of course the owner must have paid up the ownership of the vehicles and is fully insured, otherwise, they are ineligible to cross.

Secondly, Thai or Malaysian bike or vehicle touts which I mentioned earlier! They are costly and sometimes if not careful they could be problematic. Thirdly, just be a pedestrian and make your mileage to "Padang" in Thailand (about 1.5 Km). I have read and heard about a certain bus terminal and there're cheap buses that ferry commuters between Hatyai and Padang Besar. But I am still unsure where's the bus stop or terminal. One time, I took the bus coach from Bangkok to "Padang" in Thailand, the bus driver did not even bother to drop me close at the immigration point or drop me at a bus station or stop, instead he took me to a residential area, and I had to pay 100 Baht (MYR 12.00) and a Thai tout (grudgingly) took me to the immigration because he felt the amount was insufficient. It was a memorable experience back then.

So if anyone is going by the land route, make sure you undertake sufficient information with you. Otherwise, the travel is going to be somewhat challenging.

OK. Now I am returning to the earlier comment that I boarded the train and awaited the rest of the passengers to board. The coaches of the train despite its old, its pretty clean and comfortable. Despite the train ticket allocated a seat number, seating was free and we all could choose which coach to board and sat in. One of the fans that I sat closed to it was not working. Anyway, when all the passengers bound for Hatyai boarded, the train began to rumble its diesel engines and chugging towards Padang (Thai side). At Padang, more commuters boarded, and mostly are Thais.

The train restarted and rumbled Northwards chugging faster and faster, and even though I saw the scenery several times in my lifetime, this time was different as the wind blew in my face and I tried to get a tan. Most commuters preferred siting in the shade away from the afternoon sun. The distance from the Padang Besar train station ICQS is 60 Km and it takes roughly about 55 minutes to an hour.

About half an hour later, the train stopped at Klong Ngae. Some commuters got off and more came on to Hatyai.

Hatyai Junction Yard: unkept & pretty unsightly

The locomotive here looked nice and colorful

Close to about 4:00pm we reached Hatyai Junction, the train depot and yard in Hatyai. Apparently, this is the main station in the South of Thailand that offers services to Trang, Phuket and Krabi and all the way to Su'Ngai Kolok in Narathiwat. Its also the only 'Junction to the North to Bangkok and beyond. Whether a traveller is coming from Phuket or Yala or Narathiwat, they all have to come to Hatyai Junction first, if they want to proceed to Bangkok and vice versa. That's how the rail lines are connected in Southern Thailand.

Budget guest hotel

Hive of activity for Malaysians

Right about 4:00 pm (Thai time), I was in Hatyai Junction Station, Hatyai, Songkhla, Thailand. The station is situated right in the heart of the touristy environs and its about half-a-kilometre to everything in Hatyai proper. This area is not the main downtown but a downtown for mainly Malaysian and Singaporean tourists and travellers alike. The place I am putting up for two nights was a budget guest hotel called Sandee Room. I booked a single room that come with an attached shower and toilet. The room is air-conditioned and has a flat screen TV and a fridge. Moreover, this budget guest house is only 200 metres from the train station and its closed to the hive of activities in Hatyai proper. If you are a traveller that prefers certain niches like adventures and country pursuits, Hatyai is not for you. Basically, Hatyai, is a shopaholics paradise for Malaysians across the border and for those who enjoy Thai hospitalities in fun, drinking oasis, nightclubbing, fish-bowl* pursuits, floating market (that's a bit of a way from this area), etc. Water sports and adventures are only available at Samira Beach off Songkhla about 35 miles from Hatyai. To enjoy a relatively quiet get away nearby a cool beach breeze, head to Sathing Phra (Satingpra) the ancient port city in Northern Songkhla about 67.3 Km from Hatyai. There aren't any buses and trains direct to Sathing Phra. The only option is to rent a car in Hatyai and drive there or hailed a taxi (may be costly). Grab and Uber are not available in Hatyai yet.

Hatyai, a popular town for Malaysians and Singaporeans

Hatyai is the gateway to the Southern part of the Malay Peninsula. Back during the days during the Vietnam wars, this place was kind of a cowboy town for cross border travellers and popular with drug mules, smugglers, and communist socialists to congregate. It was also popular amongst Malaysians back then who wish to sought a different sort of medical practices that employ black arts to cure desperate well wishes. Back in the 80s, I remembered my mother had an ailment and the doctors in Malaysia was unable to diagnose the ailment. In the end, and even upon recommendation from certain medical practitioners, they advised her to travel there to seek an "expert" for a cure. My mother went with my dad for a month, and upon her return, she was undoubtedly a healthier person. Today, Hatyai is also well known for it's medical transgressions in Malaysia and Indonesia. Thousands flocked here for plastic surgeries and other kinds of medical treatment as well. I have done a bit of research, and its not just Hatyai, in fact, Thailand is one of the more prominent countries in East Asia for plastic surgeries, medical treatments, and organ transplants as well. Many are not documented and Thais preferred the anonymity. However, the treatments are not cheap. Even my parent then had to pay a substantial amount. Definitely, it's much cheaper than many of the Western countries. If one has to Bangkok, the number of ads on looking good seemed very important and I am not talking about women, men as well.

Hatyai will be gathering speed because the number of travellers are growing, yearly. The reason why Malaysia ICQS is renovating is because they need the facilities to accommodate the numbers during the weekends, the festivities, holidays, and the increasing logistics numbers that will be coming not only from Thailand but the rest of Indochina and of course, China. I have already seen trucks coming as far from Yunnan province in Hatyai. Hatyai will be one of the fastest growing cities (in Thailand) and it will enhance ASEAN as the corridor for trade and tourism.

*Afterword

Earlier, I noted an asterisk (*) beside fish bowl. For those who are not familiar, a fish bowl or sometimes its called a fish tank, is a place or joint where patrons go into a club and after the music is over, a group of 15 or 20 young Thai women will parade to the front of the stage and hoping patrons will call out their numbers and select them for the night. I do not wish to use the derogatory word because for them life is hard and this is all what they can do. Most don't come from the Southern region but from Indochinese countries and rural Thailand from the North and Northeast. They all speak Thai as a way for survival. When I said their lives are hard and I do not mean it literally because the extent of their lives (if they are not Thais) are so delicate and I have seen worst. Refugees, women surviving from wars in Burma, women escaping from domestic violence either at the hands of their parents (who may want to sell them) or their husbands, women who lost their loved ones, etc. Indochinese fate will not become better if Burma, Cambodia, and Laotian governments refusing to identify ethnicities and offer resolve to large swarth of poor wastelands. Thailand forever, will receive these people and Thais have been undoubtedly generous (amongst the ASEAN neighbours) as Thailand sits in the middle of the region. Communist, dictatorship, and socialist regimes and wars have placate Indochina into oblivion. Thailand is one of the worlds most incidentiary place for HIV and AIDs infection and despite its decreasing, STDs seemed to have evolved deadlier. Hence, drugs and treatment have little answers to these evolving diseases.

Aung San Su Kyi wanted all the refugees to come home but the National League for Democracy (NLD) is only accommodating international furore. What are the programs allowed to have these people to resettle? Do they have homes, employment, or places where they can farm? How are they suppose to be treated? Will they lose their ethnic heritage? I have seen one small group of ethnic Muslim Shan (numbered in hundreds) totally disappeared from Northeast Burma, and many have settled down in Mae Sot, Thailand and earning an honest living. In Cambodia, Hun Sen is relieving the success of another premiership run in the upcoming elections. More and more Westerners are partying in Cambodia because the beer are cheap and women are easy. To accomodate more galore, more and more casinos are built in Cambodia. The Laotian government is inundated with Chinese to build and modernize, however, more than 65% of the country is reeling in poverty and many do not have feasible heating in winter. More and more Chinese came down from neighbouring Yunnan province and they, themselves seemed satisfied with their businesses they ran because they weren't much competition from fellow Chinese. What's sad is that they don't even employ Laotians as either caretakers or staff. They seemed satisfied with their own fellowmen. So, more or less, Thailand seemed to be the sole destination for sorrow and sordid affairs. Malaysia, after this noxious election can be a fine example to many of these Indochinese countries, and hopefully, its not Thai Rak Thai but ASEAN Rak ASEAN.

Crossing Border from Danok, Songkhla, Thailand to Bukit Kayu Hitam (BKH), Kedah, Malaysia as a Passenger Travelling in a Coach

A Brief Report on the Kind of Labour "Ferrying/Transferring"

Two Thai nationals purposely alighted the bus at the Thai immigration checkpoint to conduct their own immigration protocols on July 23, 2017 @ about 11:00 am. They did not follow the pedestrian queue and follow the lines of procedures. As a matter of fact both of them spoke to vehicle touts (bike or car runners) and they were brought by them via their "immigration procedures" :-

1) One young Thai national aged 20s crossed with a group in a car. I did not see her at the Thai and Malaysian immigration. She claimed that she knew a friend who (is in Malaysia) that recommended her to cross with an individual that cleared both the Thai and Malaysian immigration without "fuss". At the first rest area, just after the immigration, I asked her whether she paid any amount of fees for leaving Thailand and entering Malaysia, she claimed "no" in Thai.

2) Another Thai individual happened to cross on a motorbike and somehow during the process she almost got left behind by the coach she was in together with me. Apparently, the Malay lady that brought her across (on a bike) was looking for her. Apparently, this Thai national was held up. In the end she re-entered our bus.

Question: I am perplexed by the need for these two Thai nationals to cross the border this way as the bus was apparently waiting for us patiently. Why were these two individuals crossing the border with additional transports? Apparently, if they crossed in such a manner it would suffice additional payment. This would cost an additional sum of 200 Baht or RM 24.00. The only way individuals cross the border this way, meant they are looking for work in Malaysia and perhaps don't have the required documentation or the documentation is either barred or refusal of entries. Thai nationals can visit Malaysia for a month. However, if their intention are to work then a work visa is required. I don't think Thais can get work visas at any borders and they have to apply work visas at the Malaysian Embassy in Thailand.

It also seemed to me, these Thais are very well versed with the "backdoor" or "blackmarket" systems which we, Malaysians, even do not know about them. Our enforcement authorities must be in cahoots with these individuals because Malaysian authorities can bar these bike runners from accessing into our borders. If these bike runners follow our rules and regulations then there should not be any problem but its the other way around.

According to a witness account (who is a Thai national from Bangkok but works in a Malaysian company based in Bangkok), she deliberated to me that many Thais do this especially if they are in search of work in Malaysia. She revealed to me that she had seen these multiple times since her travels between Malaysia and Thailand for the last 20 years. As for myself, this is the first time I come across such matters, even though I have crossed the border multiple times in the last 5 years.

This sort of cross border trespassing is a liability to our entire security network in the country. Not only will weapons, drugs, and other illegal paraphernalia will come into our country, this will only confirm the existence of foreign assassinations, drug trafficking, human trafficking and labour trafficking. Our borders are seemingly porous enough and allowing these sort of remnants will forever jeopardize Malaysia's image as NOT only a country of human trafficking (which we were once direly labelled by the US State Department) but also a country where we have tough laws but foreigners dictate our policies to our own ills.

More to the point, read this blog on what happened to these Malaysians:
https://cp4ab0115hm3n7.livejournal.com/394.html