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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.

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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 ???

Some friends came in from Pakard recently. Because they were a group the taxi left immediately. It's more likely to have a group if you enter there than Poipet. You still have to make sure the taxi is roadworthy and driver sober. Difficult to post on a tablet. Ads covering up everything

Not on those trains. There is no luggage car south of Haad Yai although occasionally the shuttle is sometimes an older car which could take a bike. From Haad Yai to Bangkok and vv no problem.

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia has dropped its mask mandate for indoor settings, except for people on public transport and in medical facilities, as well as those who have tested positive for Covid-19. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Wednesday that the government will leave it to the owners of premises to decide whether they will do away with mask wearing. “If they make the decision to impose it, then people must abide (by it) and they can bar those who refuse from entering,” he said.

If you do make sure you keep both boarding passes to show you took the flights

There was a report in the Malaysian press that some Malaysians didn't want to be rescued because they had done a runner from Malaysia because they had debts to money lenders

Kulen in the news a lot at the moment

Just to follow on here Are they asking for a hotel booking and ticket out? For a Canadian couple crossing from Malaysia

Some tourist restaurants are still closed. A few have moved. Some roads, highway and in town, have been newly finished. Generally quieter city than before. Not much mask wearing.