Trip To Penang

[astral]

there are two hotel im confuss Grand Continental and a Continental hotel, are they the same, i can't find continental hotel on google only the other one.

Not the same. Hotel Continental is located at the end of Penang Road next to the Malaysia Hotel. It was never listed on internet and have always just arrived and got room.

Hotel Continental

e-mail [email protected]

They do have a web site but do not have the address to hand and the printed

brochure only has the e-mail address.

Sorry

[s_kates81]

is Hotel continental on chulia street?

what about the airlines operating from BKK-Penang except air asia?

[lopburi3]

is Hotel continental on chulia street?

what about the airlines operating from BKK-Penang except air asia?

No. Hotel Continental is on Penang Street as was said. About two blocks from Chulia.

The closest I got, and wish to get, to Chulia guest house accommodations was Waldorf Hotel (close to guest house facility) which is about the same price as many of the guest houses and perhaps a bit cleaner. OK for a night or two but will not impress. Believe in the 600 baht range. It is next to Cathay Guest House which about same price but with colonial atmosphere. Have not stayed there.

Thai/Malaysia have code share flight daily and the new Air Asia flight. Don't believe there are any other direct flights. That is why train/bus travel most popular transport in the past.

[Phil Clark]

I went to Penang for a Non Imm 'O' visa last December.

Some of the information in my trip report may be of help.

Click on: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4065&hl= to view the thread.

[Suzy]

I have just returned from the visa trip to Penang. I travelled Air Asia for 2,200 return plus taxes. Arrived last Tuesday and went directly to Merchant Hotel by taxi from the airport. 780 Baht per night including toast and coffee in the morning. Room was satisfactory. Went round the corner to Sharma Travel in Leith Street to Mr Honey. He completes all the documentation for you and advises you on the best type of visa available for your needs and whatever documentation you are able to present. Multiple entries are out in any form. Documentation for a Business visa is mind boggling unless you are a teacher, then you need School registration document, Ministry of Education registration document, CV, two photos and copies of qualifications. For business people you also need company tax returns, list of shareholders, evidence of VAT payments and God knows what. An extendable tourist visa is available (photos only required) and if you are willing to pay for express service you will have it back the next day (Additional charge for this service). Otherwise expect the visa back on Friday and fly back Saturday afternoon. Mr Honey is extremely helpful and does everything. His charge 1,000 Baht - well worth the money.

[organic]

If you're on a tighter budget, a place I'd recommend is the Love Lane Inn, in Love Lane (of course!), just off Leboh Chulia. The guy that runs it, Jimmy, is pretty clued up on visas, and checks your paperwork carefully before doing a consulate run for you. Rooms are 18 - 24 ringgit a night iirc.

Check out the long row of guest books in the Hong Kong Bar on Leboh Chulia, on a visa run last year I found my entry from my 1st visit to Malaysia back in 1982!

[s_kates81]

i wanna know about the normal service charges of the agents for applying visa on behalf of us.and the name of some as well ! and is it possible to get the visa same day?i read someone told me it's possible for an extra service charge.Means adding the normal service charge+extra service charge for same day? and what about the agents?who is the best agent?

[s_kates81]

does someone know how much a TG ticket cost from BKK to Hatyai? and from Hatyai,how to reach Penang/?

[george]

does someone know how much a TG ticket cost from BKK to Hatyai? and from Hatyai,how to reach Penang/?

Thai Airways International

Fly direct from BKK to Penang (or domestic BKK- Hat Yai and then a taxi 4 hrs to Penang).

At Penag Airport: Just take a taxi at the airport, check in at your hotel, and they fix everything for you.

Bring your paperwork with you in original, and signed copies, plus a photo 4x6 cm.

Shopping is great in Penang, Kosa tower is one of them. Great Indian food on the main road.

Enjoy!

[Micke]

Air Asia sell tickets as low as 500 baht one way Bkk - Penang. You just have to pay a small fee for insurance (about 50 baht) and of course the airport tax.

Book well in advance, however, as the price otherwise will increase. But it is anyway not more than 1100 baht one way.

I will go there myself in less than one week. I will post some information here regarding visa agents and other stuff if I find anything worth mentioning.

Regards,

Mike

Air Asia

[chingy_]

ok folk im back from Penang, everthing seem good no bad news, all good, im not gonna get into detail of how the place is, just gonna get to the point.

first lets talk about hotel, we arrive and check in at the Grand Continental hotel for the first day, somewhere i can put our luggage, its about 108ringit a night / 1kbaht i think. after that we walk around and look for other hotel, i went to every single one of the hotel on penang street, i travel with my GF she didn't like none of them, most of them are old smelly and dusty etc... you know what i mean, but we found a very nice and decent place it at the BayView hotel at the end of the road it run about 140ringit a night / 1.5k baht clean room, spotless, nice lobby, and a very nice breakfast, i can say that i would recommend this hotel, it is a three star hotel in the travel guide, but look and feel like a 4star, not far from other hotel just at the end of the road,

i also like to talk about staying in george town, i went around the island on my spare time, why on earth does anybody want to stay in george town on a visa run, there are more beautiful hotel along the coast fairly price almost the same price as george town hotel, in your spare time between drop of and pick up you can run down to the beach and have a great time, if you stay in george town there is nothing to do, except stay at the bar and drink(without girl), this is my first trip to penang but i have learn alots, i will never stay in george town again, trust me on this there is no reason to stay in george town, the distand to the Thai consulate is almost the same, 5-10 ringit extra more just to get to the consulate no big deal, from goerge town to consulate only 10 ringit, some taxi might ask for 12-13 max anymore than that take another taxi, most people are right hold on to your taxi when arrive at consulate, there is no taxi around, or maybe share taxi to get back to hotel. another recomendation never stay in george town there are more beauty and sunshine on the coast, don't stuck yourself in george town it is an awful city, not to friendly, tourist friendly that is, take my word for it i spend 2 day traveling around the island, there are better place than george town.

ok let talk about visa, as of today visa is still good, what ever that you want, there are guys that got multiple o etc.etc...etc.... no problem, if your papper work is not in order you may get rejected, if everything is in order no proplem, as for me i apply for muliple tourist visa, i put down on my application i want 3 entry tourist, gave it to the guy, he ask me how many entry i want, i say 3, he sai ok, pay and come back next day, he didn't give me any trouble of ask why, i have no problem what so ever. its about 100 ringit per entry i pay 300 since mine was 3. few people got O, some got single entry non-im. i didn't hang around much only a few people around me at that time, all of them got what they wanted. well thats about it, stay there 3 night 4 day cause air asia schedule is wrong time coming and leaving, expect to be there 3 night 4 day if you are traveling air asia, don't cut yourself short, i saw a guy that think he can make it leaving one day early, he end up buying another ticket from air asia to return trip, i guest he pay double.

thats about it, any question i would glady aswer for you

[lopburi3]

i also like to talk about staying in george town, i went around the island on my spare time, why on earth does anybody want to stay in george town on a visa run, there are more beautiful hotel along the coast fairly price almost the same price as george town hotel

I think you will find most visitors do not spend as much for a hotel as you so the beach option becomes much less attractive. Also the water around Penang can not really be considered clean (you obviously did not take the ferry across from Butterworth so did not get a good view), and most visitors have already experienced better beaches in Thailand.

Georgetown has a great deal of charm for most visitors. Sorry you did not care for it. And there are better hotels available in Georgetown if you want to pay the price.

[chingy_]

i mean the other side of penang, not the same side where the bridge are, as for price i ask Holiday inn it was only 90ringit same as continental, and there are few more hotel i ask since i was down there, about cleanness of the sea its pretty decent, i don't much about it cause i didn't swim only sit by the sea, after a long day of running to consulate its nice to walk around and sit by the sea when the sun's down, don't get me wrong i like those old bristish building i wish i own one as well, but other than that there nothing much to do except drink at the bar, i'll bet you wouldn't feel safe walking around at night time in george town.

lop i didn't mean paying an arm an leg for a hotel, paying around 1k-1.5k baht a night is a fair price, i stay away from those 5star hotel,

all im trying to tell you guy is if you are on a visa run, just as well enjoy it, you will be there for 3-4 day no matter what, there are decent price hotel on the other side not all are expensive, you just have to walk in and ask, just enjoy while you're down there.

[thaiflyer1]

Agree with you Chingy..........i went to Georgetown last November, no problem on the visa front ,stayed at the hotel continental (not grand continental) nice hotel. However like you i took the Thai G/F and we both felt uneasy, she was stared at by the local men even though she dressed in long sleeve top and jeans and not short skirt etc. First night we were there we were shopping in the Komtar tower and had to return to the hotel because of this......seems to me that the local populace dont mind staring at a pretty thai girl but dont want anyone looking at thier girls. Singapore for me next time!

[lopburi3]

i'll bet you wouldn't feel safe walking around at night time in george town.

Neither I nor my Thai wife felt any problem going around at night - as a matter of fact always took a samlar ride around the city at dusk and also went down to the evening seaside market to eat often. Was never concerned walking the streets at night.

But agree with you that if you like to laze on the beach it might be OK. But you are kind of trapped for eating if you stay out there to hotel places/upmarket. I would rather walk and shop and eat in the city.

Was not saying your hotels of choice were expensive - just that most of the visa seekers seem to prefer Chula and they are definitely lower priced.

[bartender100]

Hi Chingy

Glad you had no visa problems,as people seem to be having in Cambodia,maybe the Thai's just want to try and discourage people going there.

Had you had previous multi entry tourists visa's?

I disagree about Georgetown,but then eveybody has different tastes,I find it boring down at the beach resorts in Penang.

[chingy_]

But agree with you that if you like to laze on the beach it might be OK. But you are kind of trapped for eating if you stay out there to hotel places/upmarket. I would rather walk and shop and eat in the city.

very true, if you are out there most of them are hotel food, not to much of local taste, and very limited compare to town

Glad you had no visa problems,as people seem to be having in Cambodia,maybe the Thai's just want to try and discourage people going there.

Had you had previous multi entry tourists visa's?

i had previous multiple tourist visa, back to back, but the previous mulitple tourist visa was from KL.

[unbiasbob]

You are not asking for much,anyway here goes.

The flight with AA does not get in till the afternoon,I suggest to go to the tourist street Chuila Leibh(something like that)as soon as you arrive,and go to on of the small travel shops that say "visa sevice" outside.

All you need is two passport photo's,you don't even have to fill the form in just sign it,double entry tourist visa no problem,4 months with a border run in between,cost is 200 rinnget+ 20 R for the service,saves you having to go to the consol your self.

They cannot do this till the next day,collection the day after that in the afternoon .To late to get the AA flight back to bkk.

Some visa service ofer one day service an extra 60R.

As you don't have to go to the consol your self,you can stay anywere within your budget.Do a google,city bayview hotel about 120R,

http://www.awd.ws/penang/citybayview/ good location

Most of the bar are ok,not the same scene as thailand,I rec Soho bar,or slippery senoritas if you are youngish.Or take a taxi to the beaches and stay there while you wait for visa.

More advice

http://www.virtualtourist.com/f/138ff4/

Hope this is of some help

Folks, Air Asia does not fly from BKK to Penang. I can assure you of that

[unbiasbob]

im not to much favor of tourist services, i like to do thing myself and try to get the job done right. but thank-you (bartender100) i'll put it in a consideration, who knows, i might need them if thing don't turn out the way i plan, the one day service sound good tho, can they actually do that within a day?

i'll take a look into those hotel you all recommended, i was thinking about spending 1000-1500 a night on hotel, just wanna have some relaxing time while im there with good hotel services.

few of you mention about taking a walk around town, sound good to me, that i will do.

can you feel me in the open and closing hour for applying visa and pick up visa, malay time would be fine, and how much it cost for the single tourist visa/ double tourist visa.

if i don't use the services would i have any problem getting a double tourist visa at the consulate?

one other thing is there a website i can download the application or form for tourist visa/ or does anybody have a extra copy that i can copy from

a visa can never get you a visa the same day. this is not possible. drop your passport off btw 9-12 day one and pick up in afternoon on day 2. no quicker way

[unbiasbob]

thank lop, i did some searching also, look good for next week, i was wonder does anybody know where i can download a visa application for penang consulate, or it doesn't exist.

this sound kinda silly but im gonna try to apply for multiple entry tourist visa(12month), it doesn't hurt just to ask for it right, if they give they give, if they don't they don't, i'll settle for 2 entry tourist visa.

anymore recommended hotel..

12 month entry? you mean a quad entry? that you cannot get in penang

[lopburi3]

Folks, Air Asia does not fly from BKK to Penang. I can assure you of that

Guest  THB1,500.00  Sun, 27/06/2004 Flight FD 720    10:00  Depart  Bangkok (BKK)

12:40  Arrive  Penang (PEN)

   

Perhaps you should tell that to Air Asia?

[unbiasbob]

how about the hotels and guest houses at chulia street? how much for a night?everyone ever stayed there?which guesthouse/hotel is best over there?

I know that Chingy has no interest in the Chulia St guesthouses but they got a lot of them. They are all very cheap and adequate to get your visa run done. I've never stayed in a guest house so cannot comment. I guess if you are used to staying in them then the chulia ones will get the job done. Just out of curiousity, what are guest houses like? Do you share baths. Do they have bugs or rodents? Do they smell? Just curious, I may need to stay in one someday. Also, do they allow "guests"? As for Chingy, do the yahoo search on penang hotels and flip a coin. I stayed in a 4 star for 1400. Forgot the name. Clean and small, nice view but I ask myself, maybe I should do the guest house thing if it is tolerable. I just want to get my visa quickly and get out of Dodge. I determined with one visit that Penang aint no paradise. I'd rather hang in hat jai

[chingy_]

im lost here (unbiasbob) i ask before i left, but now im already back to BKK to tell the story.

Air Asia departure bkk 900baht, return 500baht i got a great deal, i did some research on the flight, the less people travel on that day the cheaper it is

12 month entry? you mean a quad entry? that you cannot get in penang

i wonder to myself, what if i reply to the consulate guy that i want 4 entry instead of 3 what would of happen, would he say yes come back next day or no you can only have three entry, damnn i should of try and say 4 entry please, i guest we never know.

most of the hotel in Chulia St are under 100ringit actually under 80ringit, i visit most of them, i jus walk in and ask for the room price and if i can take a look at it, they gladly show me the room, before i left to penang i did some research, and yes this forum is the best, the people that have been there before pass down the info very correctly, alots of help form lopburi3(thank-you).

[unbiasbob]

I apologize to the forum. I see that Air Asia does now have a bkk-penang flight. It must have just started. they didn't have one 2 months ago. that is really great. saves a great deal of hassle although the mini bus from hat jai was an "experience" and I learned things I'd never have known by flying. Let us know about transport from Penang airport to chulia st

[unbiasbob]

Chingy, interesting to read your penang story. after my trip i drew the exact same conclusions. The place is pretty worthless cept to get your visa

[unbiasbob]

is Hotel continental on chulia street?

what about the airlines operating from BKK-Penang except air asia?

no 4 star hotels on chulia st or 3 stars for that matter. cont. is a 4 star. thai air flies to penang but price is outrageous. When I went Air Asia had not started their bkk-penang service so i went bkk-hat jai, mini bus - penang. air asia is getting their act together. I'll be on that penang flight in Jan

[chingy_]

Air Asia bkk-penang is a promotion, it end in september i think, correct me if im wrong

[lopburi3]

Air Asia bkk-penang is a promotion, it end in september i think, correct me if im wrong

The 500 baht seats are on promotion. The flights go on.

[otherstuff1957]

I think it's important to remember that a lot of Malay's come to Thailand for their vacations! I enjoyed sightseeing in Georgetown, but in one or two days you've pretty much exhausted the sights. The real plus for me was the food. I'm one of those rare non-Indians who really enjoys a good mutton curry with roti.

Next time I will definitely stay on the beach - the Batu Ferenghi area looks like a possibility. The shoreline on the mainland side was pretty grimy and industrial, but the other side of the island looked ok.

Malaysia is a Muslim country and although they are fairly tolorant, it IS illegel for a muslim woman to have sex with a non-muslim! If you do get friendly with a local (which isn't very likely), make sure she's Chinese or Indian. I don't know this from personal experience, just some anecdotal stuff I read before my visit.

My Thai wife felt a little uncomfortable there. She thought that the Malay's looked down Thai women. Of course part of the problem may be that she takes after the Malay side of her family and so until she spoke, it looked like I was dating a local.

[Micke]

ok folk im back from Penang, everthing seem good no bad news, all good, im not gonna get into detail of how the place is, just gonna get to the point.

first lets talk about hotel, we arrive and check in at the Grand Continental hotel for the first day, somewhere i can put our luggage, its about 108ringit a night / 1kbaht i think. after that we walk around and look for other hotel, i went to every single one of the hotel on penang street, i travel with my GF she didn't like none of them, most of them are old smelly and dusty etc... you know what i mean, but we found a very nice and decent place it at the BayView hotel at the end of the road it run about 140ringit a night / 1.5k baht clean room, spotless, nice lobby, and a very nice breakfast, i can say that i would recommend this hotel, it is a three star hotel in the travel guide, but look and feel like a 4star, not far from other hotel just at the end of the road,

i also like to talk about staying in george town, i went around the island on my spare time, why on earth does anybody want to stay in george town on a visa run, there are more beautiful hotel along the coast fairly price almost the same price as george town hotel, in your spare time between drop of and pick up you can run down to the beach and have a great time, if you stay in george town there is nothing to do, except stay at the bar and drink(without girl), this is my first trip to penang but i have learn alots, i will never stay in george town again, trust me on this there is no reason to stay in george town, the distand to the Thai consulate is almost the same, 5-10 ringit extra more just to get to the consulate no big deal, from goerge town to consulate only 10 ringit, some taxi might ask for 12-13 max anymore than that take another taxi, most people are right hold on to your taxi when arrive at consulate, there is no taxi around, or maybe share taxi to get back to hotel. another recomendation never stay in george town there are more beauty and sunshine on the coast, don't stuck yourself in george town it is an awful city, not to friendly, tourist friendly that is, take my word for it i spend 2 day traveling around the island, there are better place than george town.

ok let talk about visa, as of today visa is still good, what ever that you want, there are guys that got multiple o etc.etc...etc.... no problem, if your papper work is not in order you may get rejected, if everything is in order no proplem, as for me i apply for muliple tourist visa, i put down on my application i want 3 entry tourist, gave it to the guy, he ask me how many entry i want, i say 3, he sai ok, pay and come back next day, he didn't give me any trouble of ask why, i have no problem what so ever. its about 100 ringit per entry i pay 300 since mine was 3. few people got O, some got single entry non-im. i didn't hang around much only a few people around me at that time, all of them got what they wanted. well thats about it, stay there 3 night 4 day cause air asia schedule is wrong time coming and leaving, expect to be there 3 night 4 day if you are traveling air asia, don't cut yourself short, i saw a guy that think he can make it leaving one day early, he end up buying another ticket from air asia to return trip, i guest he pay double.

thats about it, any question i would glady aswer for you

In another post you said:

"i had previous multiple tourist visa, back to back, but the previous mulitple tourist visa was from KL."

May I ask if this is the current passport you are talking about? I just want to make sure that you actually had all these visa stamps, and still you got a three entries tourist visa with no questions asked. And exactly how many visas are there in your passport (tourist and 30 days visa on arrival respectively).

May I also ask what your nationality is?

I have a theory: they are treating English speaking (native speakers) tourists with a lot of visas with suspiciousness. Why? Because they MIGHT be working as English teachers, illegally.

Regards,

Mike