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Overland From
Malaysia
There are no direct
trains between Thailand and Malaysia. On the west coast, you must get off
the Kereta Api Tanah Melayu (KTM) train at the border and transfer to a
train operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). On the east coast
of peninsular Malaysia, take a bus or taxi from Kota Baru to the border
and then continue by bus or train to Hat Yai.
Buses and share taxis operate between Penang and Hat Yai--probably the
easiest way to get from Malaysia to Thailand.
Trains
Ordinary
trains do not
run between Malaysia and Thailand. Diesels from Butterworth terminate at
the border town of Padang Besar, from where you can catch the train to Hat
Yai.
An express
train departs
Singapore every morning and arrives in Kuala Lumpur by nightfall. Visitors
may overnight in the Malaysian capital or continue north by night train to
Butterworth, the terminus for Penang.
The
International Express
departs Butterworth the following day at 1340 and terminates at the Thai
border a few hours later. A Thai train meets this train and takes
passengers north to Hat Yai (1640 arrival) and Bangkok (0835 arrival the
next day).
The express train connection, however, rarely works. Express trains coming
from Malaysia are often late, and Thai trains won't wait for the late
trains. The upshot is confusion. To minimize problems, check schedules in
Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and take your chances with a train departure
from Butterworth, not Kuala Lumpur.
The express train is limited to first and second classes and is somewhat
expensive because of supplemental charges for a/c, superior classes, and
sleeping berths. Singapore to Bangkok costs US$100 in first-class coach
with sleeper and takes 41 hours, including a 10-hour layover in Kuala
Lumpur. The second-class fare is US$50 with sleeper and express surcharges.
While the 1,943-km journey from Singapore to Bangkok has romantic appeal--and
is far cheaper than the Eastern & Oriental Express--it's a long
and exhausting journey best experienced in shorter segments.
Bus
Buses and taxis
can be taken from the west or east coasts of peninsular Malaysia to
destinations within Thailand.
West
Coast: Crossing
the Thai border by public bus from the west coast can be tricky. Buses on
the main highway terminate at Changlun, a small and isolated Malaysian
town some 20 km from the border. From Changlun, you must hitchhike the
distance to Sadao in southern Thailand--not an easy task.
Travelers going overland can also take a bus or train to Padang Besar,
where buses and taxis continue to Hat Yai. You'll need to walk over the
railway bridge into Thailand, ignore the unofficial taxis and motorcycle
taxis at the end of the span, and continue walking until you reach the 'official'
taxis a few hundred meters beyond the end of the bridge. Official taxis
carry a posted government permit near the meter. These taxis will take you
to Hat Yai with a brief stop for border formalities at Thai immigration.
Problems with land connections via Changlun/Sadao and Padang Besar make
direct buses a good idea for most travelers. Direct buses can be booked
through travel agents in Penang or picked up at terminals in Penang,
Butterworth, and Hat Yai.
East
Coast: Public
transport on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia is fairly
straightforward. Bus 29 departs each hour on the hour from the main bus
terminal in Kota Baru and 20 minutes later reaches the Malaysian border
town of Rantau Panjang. You then walk across, conduct border formalities
with Thai immigration, and catch a tuk tuk for B10 to the train or
bus station in Sungai Golok.
Taxi
Shared taxis
are fast, comfortable, and cheap; you won't get stranded at the border
waiting for buses or trains. Share taxis--usually a lumbering old Mercedes
or antiquated Chevy--wait in Penang at the waterfront taxi stand and in
Georgetown downstairs from the bus terminal. Travel agents in Penang can
book share taxis, and budget hotels in Penang will arrange pickup directly
from your hotel.
Share taxis also leave from the central taxi stand in Kota Baru and reach
the border in about 20 minutes. You then walk across to Thai immigration
and catch a tuk tuk into beautiful downtown Sungai Golok.
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