Is it safe these days to travel overland from Bangkok to Penang ?

Trouble seems to be getting worse?

THANKS for any advice

People do it all the time from Samui and Phangan--should be fine.

Going to Penang by Surathani, Nakon Si Thammarat, Hat Yai, Sadao Border, you don't pass the 3/4 'hot' provinces (Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat) affected by separatist terrorism.

No problem at all. As mentioned, the Penang - Bangkok route does not pass through the 3 affected provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narrathiwat. Nothing to worry about whatsoever.

Last year I spent a week travelling around the 3 provinces with the troubles on my bike. Never had any bad moments and the people were very friendly towards me. You also get some wonderful food which has a mixture of Indian and Malaysian tastes. As mentioned already you do not go through the troubled provinces if you are heading to Penang. You only go through them if you are heading for kota Baru. Driving down to Penang is also very nice. I have ridden to Penang and KL to watch the F1.

The Australian Foreign Affairs Department has this to say about :-

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla

Do Not Travel

More here :-

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

THANKS everyone for the advice.

Martin