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Trains between Haad Yai and Padang Besar have been cancelled due to bombing

They run scams on internet. Some are Malaysian and Singaporean

I live close to here. You are spreading fake news

It's not deep water there. Naval bases don't allow tourists in anywhere. Try to get in the naval base in Chiang Khong.

Before the new Padang Besar Malaysia station was built there was an immigration in Padang Besar Thailand where you took a short walk to the old station. Was much more convenient There was a border wall. Smugglers used to sit on the wall and hand the goods to a motorbike rider who took off thru the rubber plantation. They were smuggling onions, cooking oil and cookies.

When you exit the airport you will see a transport desk. There are taxis. Otherwise you can walk out to the street to get a tuktuk or of not much luggage a motorbike taxi. There is also a local city bus. There are some supermarkets same as anywhere in the world. They have western, Thai and Vietnam products. There is an international airport at Siem Reap.

Vehicles drive against the traffic flow because it's a long way to drive in the opposite direction to find a way over to the correct side. Same thing happens on the hiway from the border to Trat

It's a Bit of a mystery. Most Cambodians don't use banks. The economy has faded because of covid and they have lost trade benefits because of the human rights record.

Take shuttle train from Haad Yai to Padang Besar Malaysia station. The return time is flexible as they will wait for everyone who was on the connecting Kommuter train to clear customs and immigration. Should have enough time. Buy the return shuttle train ticket upstairs before heading for Malaysia exit immigration. Can pay in MYR or THB

If going thru Padang use the shuttle train to from Haad Yai.. Immigration on station platforms only open when shuttle is there. Using road crossing may be tedious

There is a fair bit of work done thru to Chomphon but there are gaps also. Lots of cement for new stations, staff housing, platforms and overpasses.Many workers are Burmese. A long way to go still.

His Majesty is paying for the funerals

OP In case you don't know, there is a Padang Besar station in Thailand. Don't get off there.

I believe it's only open just before the shuttles are leaving.

I haven't been able to find out about whether you have to stay a night out of the country if you cross into Malaysia. The only places I have heard that are on the west Cambodia crossings. If I were at Padang I would take the 2 hour train ride to Butterworth/Penang. Everything is good there if you avoid the weekend crowds

If you go on the morning shuttle you could let the railway guy who travels on the train from Haad Yai about your plan to return on the same train. He is very good on customer service. There have been delays with scanning the covid QRs coming into Thailand. That may work in your favour. Depends on how many passengers are entering Thailand

The train usually leaves a Bit later than 45 minutes. But it may not be enough time. There will be people coming to Padang Besar on the Kommuter train from Butterworth who will be in the Immigration also.

Yes

I never thought to check reviews. Thanks. Happy with Sathit. Showing its age a Bit but nice bathtubs

I've looked at everything I can think of. There is one mention of the Sathit on a hotel booking site but I'm not confident. Why isn't it on all sites. That site also mentions that the area cannot be visited because it's a covid risk area. I'm guessing that is old news.

Are any of the Padang Besar Thailand hotels open? There were about 5 still operating before covid. Some had long term residents. More Malaysians have been crossing the border lately. May have created some demand.

Most businesses still enforce mask wearing. Supermarkets and department stores, some restaurants, don't go into 7/11a. Many places have a barrier across the door, they don't even let you in. Was at Fort Cornwallis area on Sunday about half are still wearing masks outdoors. Hin bus station most people wearing masks, all the vendors were. Don't know about hotels.

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Malaysia ran a special train My Sawadee direct from KL to HaadYai for Malaysia Day. It was full. Maybe it could become a regular service. I don't know if the carriage are just sitting around or they took them from the east coast services. They had QR problems at boarding and at the border. It left KL at 10 pm. Had sleepers and seats and some classes, 1st and ???