Padang Besar
(Thai Border)
Ben
van Wijnen
Padang Besar is a
border market, a shopper's haunt for Malaysians seeking good bargains. It
is a great place for shoppers who want to sample the best of both countries.
Items at bargain prices are found here. They include leather goods, household
items, clothing and more. There is even a duty-free shop here.
There is a daily express train
of the Kereta Api Tanah Melayu (KTM) between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, which actually comes from Singapore. Somewhere
between 16.00 and 17.00 hours the train departs from
KLSentral in Kuala Lumpur.
You can choose first or second class
sleeper accommodation, or third class (seat only). The trains are quite
comfortable and are a good way to travel if you are on a budget.
The train comes to a halt at PADANG BESAR,
where a very long platform connects the Malaysian service with its Thai
counterpart.
You don't change trains here, although you must get off and go
through customs at the station. Then you'll have to re-board the train.
The railway station is manned by Malaysian
immigration officials on the Malaysian side of the border. Here you have to hand
over your immigration card, which you filled in upon arrival in
Malaysia.
Padang Besar is the place where all the passenger MUST disembark for immigration process before
crossing the border and then going back to the same train again at Padang Besar.
The border crossing is open from 6am to 10pm. |
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You can also do the journey by bus. Buses from Kuala Lumpur are leaving from
the Puduraya Bus Station (counter 21, 22 and 23). These buses are going daily.
Times of departure are: 9.30am, 10.30 am, 9.30pm and 10.30pm. The fare is about
RM40.-
Please contact the operators for most updated information. You'll arrive at Jalan Masjid in Padang Besar.
There are also buses going from other cities to the Thai Border, like from
Penang. on Penang they will leave from Sungai Nibong Bus
Terminal.
Once you've passed through immigration at the border In Padang Besar, there are
regular bus connections from the border with Hat Yai, 60km away – southern
Thailand's transport hub.
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Padang Besar |
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