MarcelV

I was in Hat Yai two days ago and can confirm it was unusually quiet. Perhaps the pandemic was a blessing in disguise, cleaning up the "bad" and transforming the city into a modern hub for business people and high-quality tourists. I'm looking forward to seeing how the city develops in the coming years!

Most people do take a long time to explore the country thoroughly, if they ever do it. I'm probably the odd one out, as during my first holiday of 3 weeks I visited, in order, Bangkok, Yala, Chiang Rai and Pattaya, with some one night stopovers in Chiang Mai and Bangkok in between. If Bangkok wasn't enough of a culture and temperature shock already, can you imagine what visiting Yala after a 20 hour train ride felt like?

Isn't it?

I feel saddened by this event. My heart cries with every drop of blood that is senselessly shed in this ongoing predicament. May God work His ways to help guide the misguided people on either side into basking in eternal light and forgiveness.

They don't travel there much anymore. Kolok is dead and nearly all hotels are boarded up. Same for Hat Yai. Most Malaysians nowadays travel to the Andaman coast, provinces like Satun, Krabi and Phuket.

Thought as much. Thanks for the recommendation.

I'm thinking about taking a VIP bus by the Bor Kor Sor from Bangkok to the south. I'll be flying into BKK with two big, heavy suitcases of about 20-25 kg each. In your opinion or experience, does the bus company care if you bring one or two suitcases on the overnight bus, without charging extra?

I don't know where you're living, but IMHO the region is the most beautiful part of Thailand, safe for perhaps the far north. I love the multicultural vibe, seeing mosques next to temples and hearing the Malay language. I purposefully chose this place to live and teach, and I never listened to the travel advisories. I'd rather make up my own mind. I love Malaysia too, btw.

Many do, but thankfully not everyone. Malaysians don't seem to have a problem visiting at all, considering their large numbers, with them being the no.1 largest demographic that visit Thailand.

I have no fear living in Southern Thailand. When my time is up, it's up. Only God knows when. Until then I'll keep enjoying my life in a beautiful region, with friendly people and very few foreigners.

There's not many around in that area. I live about 200 km south of Hat Yai and travel to the city a few times year. Best chance of meeting other 'whities' is going to Central Festival.

Samui maybe, but HH is definitely not on the line Sattahip-Songkhla. The owners went for a non-stop service, and it failed.

The Sattahip - Songkhla ferry ran for a few months late 2021/early 22 and was subsequently binned due to problems at the Songkhla port. Let's hope for Captain Steve that this route is more doable.

40 Percent front window tint is allowed, but nothing more.

As a foreign teacher in Narathiwat this news is rather concerning. I hope they can find the culprits responsible.

Uhh... What's your point?

As if Pattaya is the only town that counts. Most Malaysians stay in the south. Provinces like Phuket, Krabi, Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat see so many Malaysian tourists yearly, that the number of westerners in Pattaya pales in comparison. You'd see that if you ventured out of the Bangkok-Pattaya area.

One day after the incident, things were almost back to normal. Except for the shop closing between 22:30 to 5:30 (small notice on the front door), and a much more visible military presence in the village. This is a pic I took the night after the incident. I pray every day for the conflict to end and the hearts of the people to open to accept peace and fulfillment.

Everything like before. Tomorrow the government should announce the extension of the Covid extensions by another month.

No under consideration. I got 60 days again.

Songkhla

By a bunch of British colonials and drunk Thai, who were glad to get colonialial influence over and done with, and over the backs of the Patani Melayu people, who had no say in the matter. I can understand why people are p***ed and why they reject Thai-ification. The methods may be unjust, but the cause is real and legit.

I just did my extension today, on the 25th. No problem, guys. It's all been extended once again.

Two or three years ago I went for my 90 days in Hat Yai, at Songkhla Immigration. However, as I live in another province and had always used their IO, I was told I needed to submit a TM30 in Hat Yai first, if I wanted to report the 90 days.

Better yet: come to a political solution. Both parties need to reconcile their differences and conduct talks in good faith and with an open mind. Where there's a will, there's a way. It's all up to Allah (God) to find that solution, so that every man and woman and child will find the peace in their heart to live a joyful, fruitful life away from violence and distrust. I live in Narathiwat City and I see the daily struggles of the local people, whether they are Melayu, Thai or Arabs or other foreigners. Here's hoping for a better future.