Not much in the forums. Looking for recent info on bus schedules, cheap accommodation near the consulate and any other useful info. Thanks in advance.

Cheapest trip as follow:

- Minibus Surat - Hat Yai (train station) 220 THB

- Minibus Hat Yai - Sungai Kolok Border 250 THB

- From Border to Kota Bharu City 10 MYR

At the city bus station where you arrive - plenty of cheap and clean hotels (MYR 30 up)

Thai embassy in walking distance.

Surat - KB = 1 day trip

That Consulate, banks etc are closed FRI + SAT and open on SUN..... Islamic laws....... the Sri Devi Indian Restaurant in KB has great n cheap grub too!!

Edited November 4, 201213 yr by lemonjelly

Kotha Bahru will issue a multiple entry non-B if you have at least 8 months validity on your work permit.

Thanks all.

Kotha Bahru will issue a multiple entry non-B if you have at least 8 months validity on your work permit.

It's a new visa with a new company. Do they not issue new Non immigrant B visa's at Bota Bharu?

Edited November 4, 201213 yr by NomadJoe

Cheapest trip as follow:

- Minibus Surat - Hat Yai (train station) 220 THB

- Minibus Hat Yai - Sungai Kolok Border 250 THB

- From Border to Kota Bharu City 10 MYR

At the city bus station where you arrive - plenty of cheap and clean hotels (MYR 30 up)

Thai embassy in walking distance.

Surat - KB = 1 day trip

I'll be coming from Phuket. Does one overnight in HatYai then get early bus to boarder/Kota Bharu and turn in paperwork in that morning?

Cheapest trip as follow:

- Minibus Surat - Hat Yai (train station) 220 THB

- Minibus Hat Yai - Sungai Kolok Border 250 THB

- From Border to Kota Bharu City 10 MYR

At the city bus station where you arrive - plenty of cheap and clean hotels (MYR 30 up)

Thai embassy in walking distance.

Surat - KB = 1 day trip

I'll be coming from Phuket. Does one overnight in HatYai then get early bus to boarder/Kota Bharu and turn in paperwork in that morning?

There used to be an overnight bus leaving Phuket bus station in the evening which arrived at Sungai Kolock around 8:00 a.m (approx 12 hour journey); it was then possible to walk accross the border, catch a local bus to Khota Baru and get into the Consulate before 12:00 to make an application.

However the Thai Consulate in Khota Baru is really in the back of the middle of nowhere, so it is quite difficult to locate on a first trip and you will probably miss the a.m. application filing deadline.

If you don't yet have the Work Permit, then a Single Entry 90 Day Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa is the best you will do at Khota Baru. In this case Penang is closer/cheaper to Phuket, plus the Curry is much much better - but do remember to get the Letter of Invitation from Phuket Labour as Penang no longer accept WP3 Receipts alone.

Edited November 4, 201213 yr by digitalchromakey

Cheapest trip as follow:

- Minibus Surat - Hat Yai (train station) 220 THB

- Minibus Hat Yai - Sungai Kolok Border 250 THB

- From Border to Kota Bharu City 10 MYR

At the city bus station where you arrive - plenty of cheap and clean hotels (MYR 30 up)

Thai embassy in walking distance.

Surat - KB = 1 day trip

I'll be coming from Phuket. Does one overnight in HatYai then get early bus to boarder/Kota Bharu and turn in paperwork in that morning?

There used to be an overnight bus leaving Phuket bus station in the evening which arrived at Sungai Kolock around 8:00 a.m (approx 12 hour journey); it was then possible to walk accross the border, catch a local bus to Khota Baru and get into the Consulate before 12:00 to make an application.

However the Thai Consulate in Khota Baru is really in the back of the middle of nowhere, so it is quite difficult to locate on a first trip and you will probably miss the a.m. application filing deadline.

If you don't yet have the Work Permit, then a Single Entry 90 Day Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa is the best you will do at Khota Baru. In this case Penang is closer/cheaper to Phuket, plus the Curry is much much better - but do remember to get the Letter of Invitation from Phuket Labour as Penang no longer accept WP3 Receipts alone.

Thanks for the info dkc.

It looked to me like KB was closer than Penang. Whatever I do, I just want to avoid taking a bloody minivan after my near death experiences onmy last two trips, plus what happened to our friend on one.