We are planning to travel overland down through Thailand and into Malaysia but I have read that there is trouble in southern Thailand and therefore not sure if it is safe to do this or if there is a train which goes or a safe route?
Any information would be appreciated.
Reply to this I have known plenty of people do a visa run from Phuket to Malaysia with no problems at all. This was during the whole of 2007. They travelled by bus.
Reply to this U can either take a van from Phuket to Penang (Malaysia), or express bus which is very comfortable from Hadnyai to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)...do not travel further than Hadnyai, not safe.
Reply to this Helllo Vik ;;
I did not really understood your question?! Are you asking about crossing the border only from the South of Thailand or Travelling in the South & then cross the border to Malaysia??
Anyhow; I have crossed the border from Malaysia to Thailand and the timing was quite bad. There was fightings and bombings around. During that time i was travelling in the South and I have NOT faced any problems and things seems to be VERY normal!! I think the South is quite big, so dont worry about the safety.
About travelling from Thailand to Malaysia, I have tried both busses and train from BKK.
1)Train: BKK - Hatyyai
A.The train will take longer time then the bus (Cant remmber maybe more 3 -4 hours), as it stopped in many stations. But I felt more comfortable in the train because I paid for a bed. So i was able to sleep and had a good sleep actually.
B) From Hatyyai you will need to take a bus to KL. Make sure you take the VIP bus as it's bigger in seats and more comfortable. Normally from Hatyyai to KL, will take around 8 hours with checking in immigration.
2)Bus: BKK - KL
As i know there is no direct busses from BKK - KL, I think you will stop somehow in Hatyyai to change the bus or they will transfer you to another bus. The total journey will take around 25 - 28 hours.
That's if you are coming from BKK, if you are in the South of Thailand already, Then as i remmber you can:
1) Take a train to ButterWorth in Malaysia and from there take a bus to KL.
2) Take a bus direct to KL.
Now if you are talking about travelling in the south and you are worried because of the trouble there. As i told you i was there during such a bad time and I have not seen anything. Go to the islands around Phuket, Koh Mok Island (dont miss the Emral cave & Make sure you will have your cam), Koh Lanta Island, Phi Phi Islands, and there is some other KOH something islandS but i just took a snorkelling tours. The 3 i mentioned i stayed there and it's wonderful.
Reply to this Thanks a lot for the info. We want to travel from Krabi or Phuket to Malaysia, I thought I might have to go through Hatyyai, and this worried me but it seems people are using this without problems,
Travel newbie - what do you mean "do not travel any further than Hadnyai - not safe"? you have to travel further than Hadnyai to get to KL?
Ray - thanks for the tips on the islands!
Reply to this Do not travel further than Hadnyai, places like Narathiwat, Pattani, etc...those provinces below Hadnyai in the map..those places are not safe to travel. There are many express busses from Hadnyai to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore..travel in the evening and arrive Kuala Lumpur very early in the morning, at Pudu Bus station in Kuala Lumpur, there are many backpackers hostels along the shoplots upstairs., right infront of Puduraya bus station.
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