Great video. It's so much better to do the trip your way. Stay away from those tempting cheap flights. It's the unknowns that make memories and everything always works out. Put your phone in yer bag.
2:28 few times used this gate, walking to the Malaysia and Thai's immigration, in between there is Duty Free shopping mall . Is about 750m from this gate to the Thai border/immigration office, nice experience walking thru no man land in the middle...btw while waiting (2 hrs) for the train to Hatyai or KL Sentral, can use this gate to Padang Besar town (Malaysia) to have lunch, etc., hope they will reopen this gate.
Hi Steve. Greta video. Thanks for sharing. Quick question what about from Hatyai To Padang Besar. Any idea if there’s shuttle bus from Hatyai town to Padang Besar Immigration early in the morning? My train ticket from Padang Besar to KL Sentral is at 07:30am (Malaysia time).
You can get on the Train but there is a mini bus going that way too but you'll need to ask at a hotel, or we did do it on a Taxi, which wasn't too expensive..
Hi Steve & Michele. Great videos! We are heading to Hat Yai via Padang Besar crossing and would like to know if you were both asked for proof of onward travel. And if so, did you have to pre book a flight (as the Thai Embassy page suggests) or did you show them overland tickets- like buses and trains, etc. Thanks! Laura :-)
Superb! Thanks for that. No doubt if they ask I can hopefully book something on the spot with my phone. We’ve so far not come up against those sorts of questions elsewhere in south east Asia- so hoping for the same tomorrow. Cheers!
the only hassle is visitors cannot come and go into Thailand using overland border crossings all year long there is a rule over the number of times you can do this after 3 or 4 times they will start asking questions in Thai Immigration
Hi Steve, do you know the schedule of trains going to Hat Yai from Padang Besar? Is there only one train? Like you said in the video we need to catch our main train from Hat Yai to Bangkok which leaves at 7.45pm. And we need to travel all the way from Langkawi. So i am trying to figure out the route and time.
Coming in by mini bus is more comfortable but as per your vlog, should any of the passenger(s) get stuck in the immigration office, it'll screwed your schedule. Going by Thai train is less "glamourous" (& dirt cheaper), however, you're on your own & don't have to care about anyone else's problem : ) Thank you though for showing this, I didn't know about this option before. & btw, Malaysian time is 1 hour ahead of Thai's : )
Thanks.. We did the train a week or so back and while yes you don't have to care about anyone else, you do have to spend Hours in the hot Station and then at least 30 minutes sat on the hot clammy train waiting to leave, plus the journey and then the ongoing journey.. Personally, I would never do the train this way again, every step was so much more comfortable. We've crossed here several times. I'm just surprised we never tried this before but then I am usually suspicious of anyone selling a border crossing.
The immigration is directly at the Padang Besar train station (both sides). Procedures are the same as driving except the Thai white card is given out at PB for you to fill. and of course your train goes right to hat yai. Land crossers might miss the white card
@@SantomPh Interesting, because I have taken the train from Padang Besar on the Thailand side & was about 1 hour early waiting for the train & walked all around the tiny train station area right up to the place where the train crosses the border & saw no immigration booths. I saw a train cross over & passengers onboard stayed onboard, so I suspect you mean an immigration official walks through the train on the Thailand side to stamp passports - or perhaps both country's immigration proceedings happen on the Malaysia side?
Hi, When did you cross the border from Malaysia to Thailand? Because the Hungarian govt page says only way to leave Thailand is from air, which is a bit strange because as far as I know both countries borders are open..
This border is known as troublesome (by local people witnessing falangs crossing). Just went for a Thai visa run this morning. No way to go back to Thailand the same day. I also got asked shit loads of documents : flight booking out of Thailand, residency invoice, my landlord phone number, 10.000B in cash which supposedly is required for any foreigner entering Thailand... I got told I had to wait next day, or maybe even 2 or 3 more, but if I paid 3000B I would be let in Thailand no questions asked. Fuck dat. In the evening I met 2 guys with similar bad experience the same day. Even the boss of that bitch suggested I cross border at Satun where it is easier... But much more rural and no transportations.
2:28 About the closure of the pedestrian bridge, the bridge was closed by the government citing "security reason" since Sep 2020. They said it's because this bridge allows the foreigners or illegal migrants to directly walk from the train station and enter the protected Immigration Department's compound and therefore somehow can illegally enter into Malaysia territory. And if you look the at where the bridge links to on Google Maps, the bridge indeed ended inside the gated Immigration Department's compound. That's why the closure order is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. I don't know how exactly can a foreigner use this bridge to illegally enter Malaysia because I don't know which area of the train station is linked by this bridge. Maybe a design error? And they mistakenly link the train station area where you haven't passed the MY immigration checkpoint or the area where you haven't scan your ticket to exit the train station gate. But that's my guess only. They said they will build a new fenced off bridge in several months. Here are the news: English news: www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/09/05/railway-assets-corporation-agrees-to-build-fenced-walkway-near-padang-besar-icqs-complex-says-home-minister/26635 This news article below briefly mentioned the incident of the police foilling attempts of illegal migrants try to enter Malaysia through this bridge, you can try to use the Google Chrome "translate this page" function to translate the article. Malay news: www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/09/996860/laluan-pejalan-kaki-berpagar-dibina-di-kompleks-icqs-padang-besar
Or maybe the bridge is linking the public area of the train station with the inside of the gated Immigration Department's compound, therefore people can walk from the train station public area unfiltered and directly into the Immigration compound.
I smell a Rat.. I can walk to the other side of that Bridge and in truth the gate to the right of me down to the tracks is unlocked..I saw locals using it...so I suspect there is a little cow manure in that story but hey, who knows for sure. One thing is for sure, grab shows the journey around to the other side as 4 ringgit and the taxi mafia are chasing off the grab drivers and charging 15 ringgit, the taxi drivers are a miserable bunch that don't need to be polite for their money..
you guys have an amazing energy together. Young at heart, pleasant to watch.
Thankyou Steve and Michelle , you guys are great , I find your program engaging .
Awesome, thank you too..
Your adventures are pretty awesome. Cheers, Steve and Michelle! ✌️
Thanks Dwayne 👍👍
Great video. It's so much better to do the trip your way. Stay away from those tempting cheap flights. It's the unknowns that make memories and everything always works out. Put your phone in yer bag.
Very true!
Hi Steve, thank you for your information.
You're welcome 🙂👍
Hatyai is a fav town for locals here
Lol enjoy watching your vid… its been a long time since my trip there.. 😂
Thanks Mike.
2:28 few times used this gate, walking to the Malaysia and Thai's immigration, in between there is Duty Free shopping mall . Is about 750m from this gate to the Thai border/immigration office, nice experience walking thru no man land in the middle...btw while waiting (2 hrs) for the train to Hatyai or KL Sentral, can use this gate to Padang Besar town (Malaysia) to have lunch, etc., hope they will reopen this gate.
They should but I think there is pressure from the taxis to keep it closed. Most border towns have similar issues.
Nice
Hi Steve. Greta video. Thanks for sharing. Quick question what about from Hatyai To Padang Besar. Any idea if there’s shuttle bus from Hatyai town to Padang Besar Immigration early in the morning? My train ticket from Padang Besar to KL Sentral is at 07:30am (Malaysia time).
You can get on the Train but there is a mini bus going that way too but you'll need to ask at a hotel, or we did do it on a Taxi, which wasn't too expensive..
Hi Steve & Michele. Great videos! We are heading to Hat Yai via Padang Besar crossing and would like to know if you were both asked for proof of onward travel. And if so, did you have to pre book a flight (as the Thai Embassy page suggests) or did you show them overland tickets- like buses and trains, etc. Thanks! Laura :-)
There is no need for onward travel when crossing that border. We have never been asked for it, or even considered it to be honest, safe journey.
Superb! Thanks for that. No doubt if they ask I can hopefully book something on the spot with my phone. We’ve so far not come up against those sorts of questions elsewhere in south east Asia- so hoping for the same tomorrow. Cheers!
@@lauralongley6039 I've never heard of that happening in Thailand. If it did, it's easy to book an Expedia, free cancel flight.. 👍
I will go to Padangbesar Malaysia on Jan 2023.
👍👍👍
the only hassle is visitors cannot come and go into Thailand using overland border crossings all year long there is a rule over the number of times you can do this after 3 or 4 times they will start asking questions in Thai Immigration
Great ! any porters may help with luggage till we cross borders .. as I have family and some weight in our luggage
Sadly, it's not something I needed to enquire about.. Hope you find your answer
Hi Steve, do you know the schedule of trains going to Hat Yai from Padang Besar? Is there only one train? Like you said in the video we need to catch our main train from Hat Yai to Bangkok which leaves at 7.45pm. And we need to travel all the way from Langkawi. So i am trying to figure out the route and time.
Sorry google would have a better knowledge. I haven't crossed recently enough to know the current train times. Good luck
Depart 8:55am thai time in the morning and 2pm in afternoon
Hi Steve, do you have the stall name or contact of the minivan vendor at the station? Can't seem to find it anywhere online. Thank you in advance!!
I don't think they are online. Just at the station
@@Steve-Owens Thanks Steve~!!
Coming in by mini bus is more comfortable but as per your vlog, should any of the passenger(s) get stuck in the immigration office, it'll screwed your schedule. Going by Thai train is less "glamourous" (& dirt cheaper), however, you're on your own & don't have to care about anyone else's problem : ) Thank you though for showing this, I didn't know about this option before. & btw, Malaysian time is 1 hour ahead of Thai's : )
Thanks.. We did the train a week or so back and while yes you don't have to care about anyone else, you do have to spend Hours in the hot Station and then at least 30 minutes sat on the hot clammy train waiting to leave, plus the journey and then the ongoing journey..
Personally, I would never do the train this way again, every step was so much more comfortable.
We've crossed here several times. I'm just surprised we never tried this before but then I am usually suspicious of anyone selling a border crossing.
Is there a train still going from Thailand thru the train's immigration at their train platform then into Malaysia?
... Like it was pre pandemic?
@@alexlek5986 There wasn't pre Plandemic, it always stopped at the border and changed trains, I've done it many time over the years.
Are there trollies for carrying if you have havier luggage when arriving at pedang bessar and moving into thai borders
Not that I recall
Hi Steve,
Is there a separate immigration procedure if you cross by train?
Could explain a bit, please?
The immigration is directly at the Padang Besar train station (both sides). Procedures are the same as driving except the Thai white card is given out at PB for you to fill. and of course your train goes right to hat yai. Land crossers might miss the white card
@@SantomPh
Interesting, because I have taken the train from Padang Besar on the Thailand side & was about 1 hour early waiting for the train & walked all around the tiny train station area right up to the place where the train crosses the border & saw no immigration booths.
I saw a train cross over & passengers onboard stayed onboard, so I suspect you mean an immigration official walks through the train on the Thailand side to stamp passports - or perhaps both country's immigration proceedings happen on the Malaysia side?
After traveling all that countries how money languages do you speak?
A little to be honest of many languages. You have to try if you travel.
Hi,
When did you cross the border from Malaysia to Thailand?
Because the Hungarian govt page says only way to leave Thailand is from air, which is a bit strange because as far as I know both countries borders are open..
No that is not correct, the borders are fully open.. No restrictions..
@@Steve-Owens Thanks, they must be careless in their web page.
I can't wait to go back to Malaysia / Thailand and to cross the border :)
@@norbertkimar4698 A government Careless, who'd of thought..
Hi, is the Mini van operator will charge for the luggage that belong to the passenger?
No
Thanks. Which mean you all only pay RM60 for 2 persons right for the minivan ticket fare?
Does the fare of 30 ringgit include both Malaysia van and Thailand van? I mean from Padang Besar Train station (Malaysia) to Hatyai City.
Yes, from the Thai Station to your Hotel in Hat Yai
Thank for information.
Did you directly pay cash to agent at train station or pay to driver when arriving hotel in hatyai?
At the station
@@Steve-Owens Hi, may I know how early does the mini van starts operating?
you cant compare the chaos level for 70m population and 30m population.
This border is known as troublesome (by local people witnessing falangs crossing). Just went for a Thai visa run this morning. No way to go back to Thailand the same day. I also got asked shit loads of documents : flight booking out of Thailand, residency invoice, my landlord phone number, 10.000B in cash which supposedly is required for any foreigner entering Thailand... I got told I had to wait next day, or maybe even 2 or 3 more, but if I paid 3000B I would be let in Thailand no questions asked. Fuck dat. In the evening I met 2 guys with similar bad experience the same day. Even the boss of that bitch suggested I cross border at Satun where it is easier... But much more rural and no transportations.
Had similar experiences..
How many days you got to enter Thailand by land
At this moment 45
Hey Steve ar what point can we buy duty free liquor
Sorry I have no idea, I have never bought it.
30 ringgit for each person ?
Yes
@@Steve-Owens thankyou
It all seems a lot of bother.
2:28 About the closure of the pedestrian bridge, the bridge was closed by the government citing "security reason" since Sep 2020. They said it's because this bridge allows the foreigners or illegal migrants to directly walk from the train station and enter the protected Immigration Department's compound and therefore somehow can illegally enter into Malaysia territory. And if you look the at where the bridge links to on Google Maps, the bridge indeed ended inside the gated Immigration Department's compound. That's why the closure order is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
I don't know how exactly can a foreigner use this bridge to illegally enter Malaysia because I don't know which area of the train station is linked by this bridge.
Maybe a design error? And they mistakenly link the train station area where you haven't passed the MY immigration checkpoint or the area where you haven't scan your ticket to exit the train station gate. But that's my guess only.
They said they will build a new fenced off bridge in several months. Here are the news:
English news: www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/09/05/railway-assets-corporation-agrees-to-build-fenced-walkway-near-padang-besar-icqs-complex-says-home-minister/26635
This news article below briefly mentioned the incident of the police foilling attempts of illegal migrants try to enter Malaysia through this bridge, you can try to use the Google Chrome "translate this page" function to translate the article.
Malay news: www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/09/996860/laluan-pejalan-kaki-berpagar-dibina-di-kompleks-icqs-padang-besar
Or maybe the bridge is linking the public area of the train station with the inside of the gated Immigration Department's compound, therefore people can walk from the train station public area unfiltered and directly into the Immigration compound.
I smell a Rat.. I can walk to the other side of that Bridge and in truth the gate to the right of me down to the tracks is unlocked..I saw locals using it...so I suspect there is a little cow manure in that story but hey, who knows for sure. One thing is for sure, grab shows the journey around to the other side as 4 ringgit and the taxi mafia are chasing off the grab drivers and charging 15 ringgit, the taxi drivers are a miserable bunch that don't need to be polite for their money..
No it does not.. it falls well withing the Malay public area..