I'm planning a visa run to Penang early August, leaving from Koh Samui

I see on the net there are 2 big a/c buses (Cepat Express) leaving the Malay side of the Dannock/Sadao border crossing at 19:00 and 20:00 Malay time, heading to Butterworth and on to KL. Fare to Butterworth is MR12/THB120.

Has anyone used them before?

Does anyone know if there is a local orange rattler from Hat Yai to Dannock crossing?

I loathe mini-buses!

FYI Coming back there is a big a/c bus from BW - Padang Besar (Plusliner) for MR16/THB160. It leaves BW at 14:00 Malay, arrives 17:30 malay, 16:30 thai time. It stops close to border crossing, then there is an orange rattler back to HY for THB44. There is a bus stop/shelter across the road from border post.

If you pick up your passport ASAP there is plenty of time to make this bus. DO NOT LISTEN TO TOUTS. Plusliner booth is at front of inland circle of booths.

Think this would be better in the Southern Forum -> moving

You dislike mini bus [10paxs coach] that make yourself spend so much time & efforts for your visa run to Penang.

Analyzing your itineraries by not travelling by coaches.

1 Surat to Hatyai [aircon bus] usually stop at Southern bus station near Asian center.

2 Most go by coaches from Hatyai to Penang, fare about 300Baht about 5 hours right to hotel.

3 In your case by KL bound bus, or need to go Dannok over to Malaysia for buses, alight in Butterworth cross to Penang by ferry.

4 Usually collection of visa after 2.30pm which you don’t have enough time to catch the bus from BW to Padang Besar? About 30kms from Dannok.

5 Normally enough time for coach leaving Penang for Hatyai, last coach leaves 5pm Malaysian time. Some coach pick-up at hotel to Thai Embassy, collect visa and proceeds for Thai border.

You save time, sweats & same amount if not cheaper. You must be adventurer the way you go Penang. Cheers. May I know the reason you dislike mini buses?