We are looking at catching the train from Kuala Lumpur into Southern Thailand, heading to Phuket and would like to know if other travels think this area is safe at the moment considering the ongoing violence due to insurgency.
We are looking at catching the train from Kuala Lumpur into Southern Thailand, heading to Phuket and would like to know if other travels think this area is safe at the moment considering the ongoing violence due to insurgency.
The New Zealand travel website states that the areas of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla should be avoided - and we have noted that the train either passes through or close to these areas.
It would be great to get someone elses view on this. Thanks.
Reply to this Hi..
It would be advisable to cross at Malaysian Northeast border thru Bukit Kaya Hitam by road or (Padang Bukit by train) You can also fly to Phulet by budget airline - Air Asia. 😊
Reply to this Hi..
It would be advisable to cross at Malaysian Northeast border thru Bukit Kayu Hitam by road or (Padang Bukit by train) You can also fly to Phulet by budget airline - Air Asia. 😊
Reply to this Hi Andrew,
You can take the train up to Arau (Northern Malaysia) and take a ferry to Langkawi. From Langkawi, you can grab a quick ferry to Tarutao Island and then back to mainland Thailand at Satun. From Satun, there are numerous buses going to Phuket and Krabi along the west coast, which is safer and away from the Songkhla province.
Otherwise, the airplane is your best option.
Cheers.
Reply to this If you like train travel take the train up to Hat Yai.
Great trip and you'll enjoy it. Even take the train to surat Thani then bus down to phuket.
Get a sleeper on the train. If you try to fly from KL into Thailand you're likely to be required to
buy a return ticket. They usually won't sell you a one way flight.
Believe me. Take the train. I'm an Aussie, I'd never steer a kiwi wrong. I'm much
more honest than any arse covering politician.
Reply to this Thanks for all the replies everyone! In the end we decided to take the extra safe route and fly from KL to Phuket (it cost about $80 USD each).
I've since spoken to a few people who have taken the train through that area and they found it safe (but you never know i guess!).
Thanks for all the info.
Cheers
Andrew & Jen
Reply to this In the top destination like Phuket is more safe that border provinces such as Yala, Narathivat, Pattani. But please carefully travel, It seems like the same everywhere around the world that the crime comes through every part.
Reply to this Understood but let's not make light of the current situation. There is a big difference between crime and chaos. I will be in Thailand this summer so its obviously very important (esp to Westeners) to understanding what is happening right now. When I read a story about a woman shot and burned alive you have to think its a little more than just "crime".
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BKK224160.htm
Reply to this Where are you getting all these stories from?! I am travelling to S. E Thailand this summer but now have serious doubts, we chose that area as the opposite coast is rainy season in July and August. Now it seems I have to chose between rain or terrorism!!
Also Cammo, when you speak of the train are you refering to the Jungle Railway? We really wanted to do that after a week or so on the islands.
Any info from travellers that have been there in the last few weeks greatly appreciated.
Reply to this From the link I atached in my post (see above). It's been in the news. Google "Thai Buddhist burning death"
Reply to this Yes Sheila. The Jungle Railway is what I refer to. There is a problem in the South of Thailand. It's been going on for a few years. Some Muslim separatists are killing a few people. To my knowledge, they haven't harmed any non Thais but it's a good place to stay away from. As Khun Nuttakorn has written the problem areas are the very Southern provinces of Narathawat, Pattani and Yala. Away from there, Thailand remains a relatively safe destination for travellers.
Reply to this Hi there
My wife and I are travelling to Ko Lipe from Bangkok. We're flying to Hat Yai and then going straight to the port to get the ferry to the island. I'm getting a little nervous about how safe this journey is. I'm thinking that since we're arriving at the airport and then going straight to the port (probably via taxi) it will be fine.
What’s everyone’s view? I suppose we could fly to Krabi and then travel down by ferry to Ko Lipe but I’ve already booked the tickets.
Your comments would be really appreciated, thanks
Reply to this Come on guys. Get real. When I was doing my degree in Asian Studies 20 years ago I studied what was going on in southern Thailand. Back then there were bombs going off. Nothing's really new except the "war on terror" has given the media a fresh appetite for anything that looks like a bomb. Cammo has it right.
You are about 1,000 times more likely to die from driving a scooter drunk in Samui than from a gunshot or bomb. And if you aren't planning on drunk driving, its probably saver than Aukland anyway.
Reply to this Uhh, the Budhist girl that they burned alive had nothing to do with the "media's appetite" to stir things up. It's Muslim seperatists fighting with with non-Muslims who don't agree with their plight to to make that part of Thailand a seperate, independent nation or part of Malaysia. It's probably fine (right now) but to completely ignore a situation which could erupt seems pretty ignorant if you ask me. And yes, there are much more dangerous chances to take while traveling but that's not really the point here.
Reply to this Thanks Phil. I'm not making light of it. Just pointing out that nothing much has changed in the more than 20 years that I've been following it. The dispute continues to erupt sporadically, its between locals and not targeted at foreigners. As you said, you have to tell the difference between crime and chaos, and that was definitely a terrible crime. And an update on Bangkok: its getting more chaotic here, although if you steer clear of the British Embassy and the primeminister's palace, you won't see much.
Reply to this Hi Peter, just want to make sure. I'm taking the International Express (train) this weekend from Penang to Bangkok. If it's just transiting through the 'alerted' southern cities, it should be okay right?
Also, in Bangkok .... how far is the British embassy and government offices from Khaosan area, chatuchak area, bus and train stations? any tips would be greatly appreciated ;-)
Reply to this You'll be fine Nadee. Trains, buses, and tourists aren't targeted. Sleep with your money bag on and you'll be fine - but that's pretty obvious advice.
The British Embassy is about 100 baht (US$3) taxi ride from Khao San. It will cost you 300 or more if you take the taxis waiting at the entrance, so ignore them (other taxis hate them as much as we do) and flag down a passing taxi. Best to write down the address in Thai or to have a map.
Reply to this phew thanks, peter. saw on the news today another case of bombing in southern thailand. fingers crossed!!
Reply to this Hi, I'm Julalak, live in Southern Thailand. I knew from my friends who are muslim poelple that somewhere is violent to enter, but, mostly safaty areas in Southern. If you have spare time please visit there and also Nakhon Si Thammarat, the cahrming and fully cutured towns. Have a nice trip in Southern Thailand.
Reply to this Yeah, it is mostly safe to travel in the South of Thailand. The trouble is at some parts of the border to Malaysia. If you plan to cross that border overland you should check the latest safety updates before you set out.
Mel
Reply to this 
