(AFP) Malaysia's marine forces will step up security in the waters along the Malaysian-Thailand border ahead of an expected surge in smuggling activities, an official said today.

Abdul Aziz Ahad, acting Chief of the East Coast Marine Police, said authorities expected a rise in the smuggling of rice and fireworks ahead of next week's Eid-al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"We are confident smuggling activities will be rampant this festive season and because of that, tight monitoring will be carried out," he was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying.

He said a team had already been sent to the border off Malaysia's eastern state of Terengganu to monitor security.

Smuggling activites, both of goods and illegal immigrants, are rampant along the border, with often using the countries as transit points.