I want to fly to Hat Yai and arrive around 16:00. Is it possible to get to Penang the same day? Bus from airport? Minibus in town? Thanks.

Doubt that any minibus runs that late but there may be bus service. You could probably get any airport driver to take you to border and the get a share taxi to Penang. Most people overnight in Hat Yai (cheaper) and then use taxi or van service the next morning. If for visa share taxis are in front of Kings Hotel.

OK, thanks. NExt morning is OK as I will have time to submit my visa app. What hotel did you stay in Hat Yai?

Stayed at about 10 but has been a few years. The mid priced places were Florida, Central Hat Yai (not Central Sukhuntra), Lee Gardens (upclass) and most recently the Lee Gardens Plaza (higher class but great location). There are many others available in the same 6-800 baht range that are good. Kings Hotel is lower class but ok for a night and probably about 4-500 baht. There may be better places now as several large hotels have opened in the last few years.

Also you may need to take a share taxi to make it to the Consulate by noon as Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand. They will take you direct and then to hotel and pick you up next day for return trip if you want. Believe they still have desk in noodle shop next to Kings Hotel and on street in the morning.

In Penang Waldorf (next to Cathey Guest House) is ok for cheap and Continental on Penang Road is a good business class hotel.

since we are on this subject, may i ask, how far is it from Hat-yai to Penang..(Kelometer) or (hr.)

and how far is from the Hta-yai airport to the nearest border(sadoa)

im planning to go get my visa in Penang, my plan was fly from bkk to Hat-yai from there drive to Paneng

It is usually about one hour drive from Hat Yai to Sadao but should be a little less from airport as you would not have to enter city. From border to Penang it is about 2 hours on the highway with option to use bridge South of Georgetown or take ferry direct to city further North. About 20 minute ferry trip.

thank-you