Penang - good place to shop: most people speak english and it's cheap - the dvds are only about 60 baht, whereas they charge 200 in bangkok !!

Recommend the waldorf hotel as a good mid-price hotel

and the visa agents are not fly-by-nights - they've been there for years. and the visas are from the thai embassy: I once went there during a public holiday and had to wait 4 days for the embassy to open again. also, the agents ask for original certificates etc - i don't think forgers would do so !!

First minor point is that it is a Royal Thai Consulate in Penang. The Embassy is in Kuala Lumpur as is every other Embassy.

Waldorf Hotel is a cheap hotel. Bedsheet only and thread bare towels they may see soap once a week. Most of the mid-price hotels are along Penang Street one block over.

Agree the visa agents and travel offices that provide service are not the same as the agents inside Thailand sending passports across borders. But we can never be sure and some have been charged will illegal activities in the past and at times the Consulate has refused to issue any visa without the applicant appearing in person.

I was in Penang recently, no problems at all getting a non Imm. O, multiple. I can show proof of income from my country, pension. I was at the consulate personally.

My friend got a triple tourist, also no problems. He used a visa agent, Parvez.

Regarding visa agents, I would say that the Parvez book shop (Chulia Street) is reliable, never heard of anyone having problems there.

I plan to go to Penang this weekend, by taking the Thai train from Hua Hin to Butterworth, arriving Sunday evening. If I show up near opening time at the Thai consulate on Monday morning, I should get the visa on Tuesday afternoon, and head back to Thailand from Butterworth on Wednesday. Does that sound do-able?

Better double check if the Consulate is open. Holidays in Malaysia:

01Nov05 (Tue) - Deepavali (Hindu festival) - Public holiday

02Nov05 (Wed) - Working day -- most public/private sectors will be closed.

03Nov05 (Thu) - Aidil Fitri (Muslim festival) - Public holiday

04Nov05 (Fri) - Aidil Fitri (Muslim festival) - Public holiday

05Nov05 (Sat) - Week-end -- public holiday.

06Nov05 (Sun) - Week-end - Public holiday

Most offices will be closed from 01Nov05 (Tue) upto 06Nov 05 (Sun) and will re-open on 07Nov05 (Mon).

Do you live under a black cloud?

Not only will Consulate be closed on any Thai or Malaysian holiday this in the one time that all hotels are very likely to be fully booked.

is double entry tourist visa still possible in penang ?

what do i need to bring/prepare?

Believe Penang is still single entry only.

Believe Penang is still single entry only.

alright, much thanks!

Anyone know the current cost of a tourist visa from Penang. Also, decent reasonably priced hotel around Lebu Chulia? Nothing fancy, just clean. Any decent nightlife around there?

Thanks

Before , its better to use agency, but I am not sure of the condition recently,

Should I use agency to make tourist visa in penang?

or is it same to do by myself?

There is no difference except when they have a new Consular Officer that wants to see everyone in person. Normally you can pay a travel agent to make the trip for you at about the same cost (for taxi) as doing it yourself.

Thank you ,lopburi,

But I am not so good in english,

so please make me more easily explain to me,

Do you mean,Now new officer come ans system changed , and I need not to use agancy ?

And I dont know how to fill in the profession, job,

I have no job long years,

but if I go to consalate by myself to write the paper, what should I write the profession name?

maybe unemployed? or?

I do not know of any current problem using a service.

Perhaps you should put retired.

Retired ??

If put retired,will they ask me to show them bank deposit proof?

Not till you want to be on one of the systems of retirement visa..

Can't believe nobody has mentioned the amazing Cathay Hotel on Leith street -just a spit away from Chulia. Great British colonial building, super friendly, prices have'nt gone up in years (yes, it's a bit "

faded" but still great value). And confirm -only single entries in Penang. Go to Sams bookshop on Chulia - he sorts it out for only a couple of hundred baht extra. Oh no,here come the 'don't leave your passpost out of your sight crew"!!!. Safe, safe , safe!