Visa run to Malaysia (Hat Yai)

[Bamboo Grove]

Bored of the monotony and length of the bus trip to Ranong I decided to do the visa run a bit differently. Booked myself into a train for Hat Yai leaving Hua Hin at 18.37. As usual the train was a bit late but as this is more of a rule than an exception here, didn't really care. Hopped on the train had a nice lower bed sleeper in second class air con for about 800 baht. The train was going to Butterworth so it was a bit more expensive than my return ticket which was 729 baht (a train coming from Sungai Kolok.)

Had a few beers on the train and then asked the attendant to do my bed where I kept reading until 22.30 after which I felt sleepy enough to close my eyes. Slept pretty well and woke up at about 6.30, had a cup of coffee and the train was in Hat Yai at 7.00.

Next I walked to The Plaza and took a van to Sadao's border district called Dahn Nork for 50 baht. Hired a motorbike taxi to take me through the customs and to the Malaysian side and back (stopped at the duty free shop and purchased 4 tins of stout and two of some Dutch beer I've never had before for a total of 130 baht) and took a van back to Hat Yai. I was back at 11.00 o'clock and that left me with 6 hours to spend in HY. I had a meal of nice southern style muslim curries and did a bit of walking around the city. That was followed by couple of hours in a internet cafe and a quick meal at Robinson's food court before returning back to the station. (One could also opt for a massage to fill the time.) The train was again late and so I left Hat Yai at 18.00 arriving at HH at 06.10 this morning feeling much better than after any Ranong trip I've done.

I liked this run much more than the Ranong runs. The trains are nice, you can walk around and use the bathroom whenever you want. There's food and drinks on sale or you can bring your own if you want to and you have a bed to lie on from fairly early on if you prefer to do so.

If you want to you can spend some time at either of the border towns (it's also possible to go to Padang Besar) but early in the day there's not much to do although in the evenings there are all kinds of "rentertainment" available but that would require you to spend a night there. Used to do that in the old days in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok but it's a bit risky nowadays. An alternative is to go to Songkla (about 30 km from Hat Yai) and spend couple of hours at the beach there or walk around the town.

For those who go for their visa runs every three months it's easy enough to spend a night or two in the area. There's no shortage of hotels/guest houses there. Another two things that the city of Hat Yai has plenty of; massage parlours and tour offices.

A fairly good web site about the area

http://hatyai.south-thai.com/

[Guess]

I thoroughly agree. I have done similar myself. A couple of things to add though. For those who do not want to rent a motorbike there are many tour companies operating services to the border and Penang and even Kuala Lumpur.

I have also seen advertisments for minibus services to Langkawi. Ther is a ferry service marked on my road map from thailand to Kangkawi. Maybe this like many border crossings in Thailand is only for Thais, however the adverts are all in English. Does anybody know if this is a possible place to get a visa stamp.

[lomuamart]

The train is a much more civilised way of doing the trip. I also used to sample the delights of Sungai Kolok - wild west, but friendly - although not now with the problems down there.
Spent one night in Pedang Besar about 5 years ago and didn't find it particularly friendly. Could have just been a one off.
I'd like to get back into that run again, but not on a 30 day basis. I've got to get off my arse and down to Penang to get my non O.
There is a visa office in Langkawi now. I'm sure you can go there for your stamps, but not to get a visa. I'll check it out.

[lomuamart]

Guess,
All I've managed to uncover on Langkawi is that an Honoury Consulate opened there mid June. So, strictly speaking, you should be able to get a visa, just like Penang.
Unfortunately, I can't get any reliable information from anyone who's done it, so it's proceed with caution.
I've got an English mate who lives there, so I'll e-mail him, but he's notoriously slow at replying.
If visas are issued, it would be great to spend a few days on the beach while it's being processed. I've never been there, but hear that it's beautiful.

[Jim]

Not much I can add on the visa front as a resident of Farangland, but I can vouch for Langkawi. It's a stunningly beautiful place. Escaped the worst of the tsunami as it has very shallow beaches. Plenty of cheap hotels around Pantai Cenang, which is the main strip. Great beach, but all artificial - built by Mr M to create a tourist paradise. Well worth hiring car - you can see all the island in a day. Biggest let down is Kuah town, the capital, which has all the fun of a good day out in Slough.