Thailand To Malaysia

[HeijoshinCool]

Train from Surat Thani, or Nakhon Si Thammarhat, into Malaysia.

I'd like a cheap, clean place to stay, with just a little to do, for about ten days. Is it safe going and staying there?

Any experiences?

[craigt3365]

Are you talking about places to stay in Thailand or in Malaysia. If Malaysia, yes, it's very safe...but you need to be more specific as to where you'd like to go. It's a big country!!

[HeijoshinCool]

Are you talking about places to stay in Thailand or in Malaysia. If Malaysia, yes, it's very safe...but you need to be more specific as to where you'd like to go. It's a big country!!

Well, just want to get away for a week or so, without going too far south. I don't want to stay in a room 24 hours a day, but since I have no idea of prices, am not sure I can find a beach bungalow (sunset side BTW) for 500 baht or less, like I can here in NST.

Does the train continue on? Or stop at the border. Where is the closest beach, with a cold one and some seafood, that would be "reasonable?" And, how do I get there?

I'm sure you know I don't want this to be a "learning" trip (getting ripped by taxis, etc.). I'd need specifics from member experiences.

Also, I'm retirement by extension-single entry. Do I need to pick up a reentry in NST, before leaving? Or at the border.

Thanks for any input.

[HeijoshinCool]

Just for the record, in Thailand, I've found great places in Trad, on Koh Kood or Koh Chang, or the mainland, for 250 baht per night, for a fan room.

In Nakhon Si Thammarhat, there is Tha Sala (not sunset) for the same prices, with excellent seafood.

I'm just interested in trying Malaysia, say I've been there.

[PattayaPhom]

The train goes to Butterworth then the ferry to Georgetown. Rooms from 400 baht up but air and own bath about 600. Beach at Batu Ferengi is 30 minutes away, beach huts there for 500. Don't forget alcohol isn't cheap, 80 baht at least small beer.

[HeijoshinCool]

The train goes to Butterworth then the ferry to Georgetown. Rooms from 400 baht up but air and own bath about 600. Beach at Batu Ferengi is 30 minutes away, beach huts there for 500. Don't forget alcohol isn't cheap, 80 baht at least small beer.

Okay, thanks. Was it worth it? Was the food and the different culture, or the clean beach, worth the trip, or should I just stay in Thailand?

[craigt3365]

The train goes to Butterworth then the ferry to Georgetown. Rooms from 400 baht up but air and own bath about 600. Beach at Batu Ferengi is 30 minutes away, beach huts there for 500. Don't forget alcohol isn't cheap, 80 baht at least small beer.

Okay, thanks. Was it worth it? Was the food and the different culture, or the clean beach, worth the trip, or should I just stay in Thailand?

Everybody has their own opinion, so here's mine. Georgetown is a really interesting city. We enjoyed it a lot. The beaches, when we were there, were polluted. Nice to look at, but we didn't want to swim. Traffic can be crazy out to the beach. Food is OK. Touristy, so a bit on the expensive side at Batu Ferengi.

I don't have any experience here, but have heard the islands off the East coast are pretty nice. Perhentian islands.

[HeijoshinCool]

The train goes to Butterworth then the ferry to Georgetown. Rooms from 400 baht up but air and own bath about 600. Beach at Batu Ferengi is 30 minutes away, beach huts there for 500. Don't forget alcohol isn't cheap, 80 baht at least small beer.

Okay, thanks. Was it worth it? Was the food and the different culture, or the clean beach, worth the trip, or should I just stay in Thailand?

Everybody has their own opinion, so here's mine. Georgetown is a really interesting city. We enjoyed it a lot. The beaches, when we were there, were polluted. Nice to look at, but we didn't want to swim. Traffic can be crazy out to the beach. Food is OK. Touristy, so a bit on the expensive side at Batu Ferengi.

I don't have any experience here, but have heard the islands off the East coast are pretty nice. Perhentian islands.

Okay, thanks.

[PattayaPhom]

The train goes to Butterworth then the ferry to Georgetown. Rooms from 400 baht up but air and own bath about 600. Beach at Batu Ferengi is 30 minutes away, beach huts there for 500. Don't forget alcohol isn't cheap, 80 baht at least small beer.

Okay, thanks. Was it worth it? Was the food and the different culture, or the clean beach, worth the trip, or should I just stay in Thailand?

I love Penang and the history, Have been many times, Yes it's worth it but you will find better beaches in Thailand and won spend as much. Best Indian food I have ever had at a fraction of the cost here, Chineese, Indian and Malay so different cultures,

[HeijoshinCool]

The train goes to Butterworth then the ferry to Georgetown. Rooms from 400 baht up but air and own bath about 600. Beach at Batu Ferengi is 30 minutes away, beach huts there for 500. Don't forget alcohol isn't cheap, 80 baht at least small beer.

Okay, thanks. Was it worth it? Was the food and the different culture, or the clean beach, worth the trip, or should I just stay in Thailand?

I love Penang and the history, Have been many times, Yes it's worth it but you will find better beaches in Thailand and won spend as much. Best Indian food I have ever had at a fraction of the cost here, Chineese, Indian and Malay so different cultures,

Here, or Penang?

[ThunderDuck]

I am in Surat heading south on a very similar trip at the moment. Penang is a good destination with a great

food culture. A one week unlimited "tourist passport" for the convenient public bus system is about 10 usd.

Try the popular Tune hotel ... can be booked online in advance for very reasonable price. And yes alcohol

drinks are very expensive. I think it would be wise to organise re-entry at your local office.

Do you have an accomodation reccomendation for Tha Sala?

[wayned]

If I were going to spend some leisure time in Malaysia I would either go to Kuala Terengganu or Pulau Redang on the east coast. Beautiful area, beaches, diving and snorkeling and away from the "beaten path". I don't know about travel as I flew from KL.

[phuketrichard]

if ur looking for beach stop an head to Satun rather than go to Malaysia

Penang has great Indian street food a block off of Chula street.

[oldsailor35]

Just for the record, in Thailand, I've found great places in Trad, on Koh Kood or Koh Chang, or the mainland, for 250 baht per night, for a fan room.

In Nakhon Si Thammarhat, there is Tha Sala (not sunset) for the same prices, with excellent seafood.

I'm just interested in trying Malaysia, say I've been there.

A mate who has just come back from Koh Kood tells ,me that it is just about the best place in Thailand for sea food !

[HeijoshinCool]

I am in Surat heading south on a very similar trip at the moment. Penang is a good destination with a great

food culture. A one week unlimited "tourist passport" for the convenient public bus system is about 10 usd.

Try the popular Tune hotel ... can be booked online in advance for very reasonable price. And yes alcohol

drinks are very expensive. I think it would be wise to organise re-entry at your local office.

Do you have an accomodation reccomendation for Tha Sala?

Can I take a bottle (one liter) in?

Next time I go to Tha Sala, I'll get you specifics. Never asked the name! PM me so I'll remember, huh?

[HeijoshinCool]

if ur looking for beach stop an head to Satun rather than go to Malaysia

Penang has great Indian street food a block off of Chula street.

Satun looks worth a check.

[tokachinter]

Agree with previous posts about Penang. As well as the Indian food, there's plenty of Chinese dim-sum shops (on nearly every corner). If you're into history/culture it is worth spending a few days exploring there. I stayed at a Georgetown restored colonial-era house converted in to a guest house. It's called Sattcle (google sattcle) and the staff there were very helpful and knowledgeable. I paid RM62/night (620 baht) for a twin room (shared bathroom).

[Deserted]

Has anyone stopped off at LangKawi? I passed it last year, it looks interesting from a distance. Was thinking of going there next month.

[roamer]

How did you manage to pass by Langkawi….on a yacht ?

Veteran of both islands. Can’t think of another two islands so close yet so radically different yet both the same nation. Penang as others have said, wonderful colonial architecture….Georgetown a Unesco World heritage site, a little too late to save the 70% of buildings that the developers razed to the ground but be grateful for small mercies. I love it, may not float everyones boat.The Indian food is certainly brilliant. But so is the Chinese.

Batu Ferringhi package tourist destination, beaches ar​e gross. Alcohol expensive. Penang is overwhelmingly a Chinese island and moves at that pace and intensity.

Langkawi.

Laid back and much slower and far less developed by several magnitudes. The rice fields on the 10 minute drive from the airport to Pantai Chenang beach are still farmed by water buffalo. This island is overwhelmingly Malay . Beaches can be great, interior is wonderful. Muslim island. Here’s the rub; beer cheaper than Thailand, wine, good wine, massively cheaper. Duty free island !!

Muslim it may be, but it's very relaxed. Up/Down side no girly bars, just chill on the beach or in the great restaurants and bars . Cheapest car hire in Asia (and fuel) so just explore.

Do some research on Trip Advisor.

[HeijoshinCool]

Langkawi.

Thanks!