Multiple entry

[fester]

As my Visa expired on 22 February, I went to Maleysia for a new Visa.

Reading in "Pattaya Mail" the story of new Visa's with 3 reentries in Khota Baru for 11.999 BHt, I planned a trip to Khota Baru with my girlfriend and my baby (9 months).

For the records:

I am 49 years, early retired, have a Thai girlfriend and a Thai baby.

The itinerary as planned was:

2 days Khota Baru,

1 night travel,

2 days Kuala Lumpur,

1 night travel,

2 days Penang,

1 night travel back to Bangkok.

On Thursday, 20 February, I took the airplane from Bangkok to Narathiwat.

Fare 3.690 BHt + 505 Bht for the baby (all taxes included).

Boarding time: 6:30 AM

Arrival time: 9:30 AM

Minibus from Narathiwat to border:

70Bht each, no charge for the baby.

At the border I took a taxi to the Thai Consulat.

Turned clock back 1 hour (Maleysian time).

The driver took charge of all the paperwork at the borders in

Thailand and Maleysia in no time.

Fee: 500 Bht (everything included).

The Thai consulat in Khota Baru would only grant me a Tourist Visa of 3 months. which I refused.

The Thai Consulat in Khota Baru is closed on Friday and Saturday.

Remark:

together with me, there was 4 men applying for a Visa (as offered by "Pattaya Mail"), with a lady which took charge of everything. They obtained a Visa for 1/2 year.

Khota Baru is a nice little place with a beautifull white beach and interesting night markets.

But nothing to spend more than 1 day, unless you want to spend your time lying in the sun.

Thursday night took the "Transnasional" bus from Kota Bharu to Kuala Lumpur.

- Boarding time: 23:39 PM

- Arrival time: 6:30 AM

Fee: 30 RM each

No charge for the baby.

Book a room at "New Oriental Hotel, No. 55 A-B Jalan Yew, Off Jalan Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur".

Plenty of hotels at all prices, but at the time I was in Kuala Lumpur there was the National Summit going on and most hotels were full.

The Thai Embassy at Kuala Lumpur was crouded by Nigerians applying for a Visa for Thailand.

The staff is very unfriendly (Saturdays and Sundays closed).

I would only get a Visa for 3 months, which I could prolonge in Bangkok at Immigration, which I refused.

Kuala Lumpur is a very beautiful city, and worth spending a week-end (or more). Prices are somewhat the same as Bangkok.

I would surely recommend Kuala Lumpur for a visit.

Altough Islam is the main religion, plenty of hookers in the streets.

Remark:

I visited the Petrona Towers (among other beautifull things) and it was all FREE.

No dual prices as in Thailand.

Sunday night took the "Transnasional" bus from Kuala Lumpur to

Butterworth.

Fee: 20.30 RM each

Baby: 10.10 RM

I wonder why the baby was charged this time.

Arrived at Penang at 6:30 AM.

Booked a room at the Waldorf Hotel, 13 Leith Street

([email protected]).

Big room with 2 double beds, airco and fan.

Nothing fancy, midrange hotel, good location.

Price: 35 RM/Day + taxes.

Plenty of hotels and guest houses starting at 10 RM.

Penang gave me the impression to be in Khaosan Road.

Plenty of backpackers and older people with long gray hair and pony tails, dressed in the Khaosan style.

There are now a lot of streets which are a copy of Khaosan Road.

Also plenty of stalls with Chinese and Indian food.

I loved a little stall with Indian food where you could take something like a pancake and stuff it with al kind of Indian food for 5 RM.

At sundown, the streets get crowded with hookers and "Katoeys".

Booked an appointment with Mr. Moto for Visa.

He arrived at 8:00 AM at the hotel.

I handled him my passport over with all the papers and 200 RM fee.

On Tuesday I've got my passport back with a new Visa, NON-IMMIGRANT, MULTIPLE ENTRY, TYPE "O", VALID FOR 1 YEAR.

I booked on monday a full day tour in a taxi at the hotel for 100 RM.

The trip was 7 hrs including a lunch, and worth every RM.

Visited many temples, Museum and Art gallery, Penang Hill Railway, Batik factory, Tin utils factory, Botanic Garden, and so on.

Very good and pleasant guide.

The next day I had lunch at the "Komplex Tun Abdul Razak" (tallest building), visited other places and spend a day at "Khaosan Road".

Tuesday, at late afternoon I booked a trip from my hotel to Hadyai for 30 RM/person.

The driver took care for all formalities at the border.

Arrived at 19:00 PM local time in Hadyai, I had an VIP bus for 1.135 Bht from Hadyai to Bangkok.

Back in Bangkok at Wednesday morning, 6:30 AM.

In Penang you can book a 2 days excursion to Langkawi Corals Island.

But this trip is rather expensive, 118 RM for adult and 59 RM for an infant.

Carlos

(pasted from soc.culture.thai by Fester, sorry about that...)