Day Run From Koh Phangan to Penang?

[teflonwulfie]

Hey there,

I have a Non-Immigrant Multi-Entry Visa "O" and I need to get it stamped for another 90 days. I'm on Koh Phangan right now and just need to do something quick. I've heard that Penang is the best way to go.

Anybody have any advice on how to do this run? I'm not even sure how to go about booking it.

[samuijimmy]

Fairly recently discussed on the Samui / Phangan forum, ... you just need to get a combined ferry bus ticket.... if I remember correctly there is an agent, towards the pier on the main street.... on left side of the street almost near the roundabout.

VIP bus better, you will probably have to switch buses in Had Yai...

edit!

Also check directly with Lomprayah ferries....

Here is the Samui / KP link.....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844718-best-way-to-get-to-klpenang-from-koh-phangan/

Day run to Penang and back, I don't think would be possible... for O visa, I think they make you return next day for pickup... there are a number of fairly inexpensive places to stay... in Penang.... the Consulate is in a residential district ...

another edit!

Make sure you have an "re-entry permit" which involves going to Samui Immigration first...

Also check for public holiday dates for Malaysia and Thailand before going!!!

Edited October 17, 2015 by samuijimmy

[lopburi3]

Believe you have the visa so no need to go to Penang unless you want to visit Georgetown for some reason (it is far from the border). To obtain a new 90 day entry only a border crossing and return is required and for that you would normally travel to Hat Yai and then onward to the border at Sadao or Padang Besar. I have never used Padang except by train but believe many prefer as Sadao can be unfriendly to those just crossing for new returns. That said I have used Sadao several times and can be done on foot as a covered walkway available and a duty free shopping center between posts. There is frequent taxi and van service from Hat Yai and even if you book into Malaysia you can get out at normal stop after immigration check points and get a new van going back to Thailand from the normal eating place. Very busy border at Sadao as many Malaysians visit Hat Yai for entertainment and shopping.

If you want to go all the way to Georgetown/Penang both taxi and vans will take you - normal bus service is also an option - and even train if schedule fits.

[teflonwulfie]

Fairly recently discussed on the Samui / Phangan forum, ... you just need to get a combined ferry bus ticket.... if I remember correctly there is an agent, towards the pier on the main street.... on left side of the street almost near the roundabout.

VIP bus better, you will probably have to switch buses in Had Yai...

edit!

Also check directly with Lomprayah ferries....

Here is the Samui / KP link.....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844718-best-way-to-get-to-klpenang-from-koh-phangan/

Day run to Penang and back, I don't think would be possible... for O visa, I think they make you return next day for pickup... there are a number of fairly inexpensive places to stay... in Penang.... the Consulate is in a residential district ...

Thanks checking out the link now. With my Visa I only need to get it stamped on the way out. Every time I leave the country and come back in it is extended automatically for another 90 days for up to a year.

[samuijimmy]

Fairly recently discussed on the Samui / Phangan forum, ... you just need to get a combined ferry bus ticket.... if I remember correctly there is an agent, towards the pier on the main street.... on left side of the street almost near the roundabout.

VIP bus better, you will probably have to switch buses in Had Yai...

edit!

Also check directly with Lomprayah ferries....

Here is the Samui / KP link.....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/844718-best-way-to-get-to-klpenang-from-koh-phangan/

Day run to Penang and back, I don't think would be possible... for O visa, I think they make you return next day for pickup... there are a number of fairly inexpensive places to stay... in Penang.... the Consulate is in a residential district ...

Thanks checking out the link now. With my Visa I only need to get it stamped on the way out. Every time I leave the country and come back in it is extended automatically for another 90 days for up to a year.

re edited the post twice... perhaps take another boo!

[teflonwulfie]

Believe you have the visa so no need to go to Penang unless you want to visit Georgetown for some reason (it is far from the border). To obtain a new 90 day entry only a border crossing and return is required and for that you would normally travel to Hat Yai and then onward to the border at Sadao or Padang Besar. I have never used Padang except by train but believe many prefer as Sadao can be unfriendly to those just crossing for new returns. That said I have used Sadao several times and can be done on foot as a covered walkway available and a duty free shopping center between posts. There is frequent taxi and van service from Hat Yai and even if you book into Malaysia you can get out at normal stop after immigration check points and get a new van going back to Thailand from the normal eating place. Very busy border at Sadao as many Malaysians visit Hat Yai for entertainment and shopping.

If you want to go all the way to Georgetown/Penang both taxi and vans will take you - normal bus service is also an option - and even train if schedule fits.

This sounds like a much better option as I simply don't have to time to do anything other than a single-day run right now.

So, let me just get this straight.

Book transportation from Koh Phangan to Hat Yai (never been before)

Once i'm there how do I get to Sadao?

Also - about how long is the trip in total?

Edited October 17, 2015 by teflonwulfie

[lopburi3]

You may be able to book to border but if not for sure to Hat Yai as it is the major junction point. Share taxi is fastest travel (you can book yourself and not too expensive to border/return. They hang out in specific areas but have not been there for many years so others would have to answer current location (any taxi truck driver would know). And there may be options at the bus station now. There are also vans to Penang that you could get off after crossing border at there normal eating stop (about 3-4km from border) and get a new van/taxi for return - this would often be cheaper if at a time vans are running.

Border is about an hour or two drive from Hat Yai so I would plan to overnight in Hat Yai myself and return to islands next morning. It is a far trip from your location to border.

[phuketrichard]

be aware many people told at Sadao they can not do an in an out and must stay in Malaysia overnight

+ show 20,000 bat or pay a 200 baht "fixer" fee

Border is less than an hour from Hat yai

Wang Prachun is a better/easier border for in/out

---------------------------------

If all u need is an in/out take the mini bus to Ranong, ( about a 4 hour trip one way once ur on the mainland)

much closer than Hat Yai

[teflonwulfie]

be aware many people told at Sadao they can not do an in an out and must stay in Malaysia overnight

+ show 20,000 bat or pay a 200 baht "fixer" fee

Border is less than an hour from Hat yai

Wang Prachun is a better/easier border for in/out

---------------------------------

If all u need is an in/out take the mini bus to Ranong, ( about a 4 hour trip one way once ur on the mainland)

much closer than Hat Yai

I'm confused, if my Visa literally is extended an automatic 90s when I get it stamped coming back in from any country (multi-entry non-immigrant O) then why do I need to show all that stuff?

[uksomchai]

Wouldn't a run to Ranong be easier for the OP ?

[michemiche]

I have do that a lot of times in a recent past (2 years) Simply do as follow :

Visa run

Lompraya 800 baths

Songserm 600 baths

Paid 1000 baths (100baths refund)

Depart kpn 7h 15 (lompraya)

Suratthanii 10 h

Minibus 10 h

Hat yai 15 h
Go to the border with mminivans :

Platform 26 - ticket 57 baths

Depart 15h45

Arrive 17 h

Check-out thailand Check-in Malaysia - Check-out Malaysia- Check-in thailand

Mototaxi 100 baths ar

Check-in. Think to take with you about 20000 baths in cash in case they ask.

Go down the street until 7/11

Buy ticket hat yao 57 baths

Leave 17h15

Arrive Hat yai 18h15

Stay the night in Hat yai to relax.

Mototaxi to hotel 30 baths

Hotel at 18h30

Bus for donsak at 8 am... 490 baths arrive pier 12h30

Boat 220 baths leave at 13h arrive koh pha ngan 15h30.

More details by private message if you want.

Michel

[recom273]

be aware many people told at Sadao they can not do an in an out and must stay in Malaysia overnight

+ show 20,000 bat or pay a 200 baht "fixer" fee

Border is less than an hour from Hat yai

Wang Prachun is a better/easier border for in/out

---------------------------------

If all u need is an in/out take the mini bus to Ranong, ( about a 4 hour trip one way once ur on the mainland)

much closer than Hat Yai

I'm confused, if my Visa literally is extended an automatic 90s when I get it stamped coming back in from any country (multi-entry non-immigrant O) then why do I need to show all that stuff?

Because you are supposed to have 20,000B ( or equivalent ) to enter the country.

Sadao, There is a good chance Sadao will ask for it .. Padang Bezar doesn't.

There have been reports where you need to stay out of the country for 24 hours. It happened to me once at Nathawi crossing. Sadao may refuse you entry if you don't stay out for 24 hours .. Padang Bezar, may do, but unlikely - if there is a problem, Padang will just tell you its a requirement for future reference and let you back.

Wang Prachan .. hmmm .. Yeah, its kind of convenient if you have your own transport. I had a ride out the other month, out from WP and back through Padang. I wouldn't say it was convenient on a van. Also, people told me there have been a few changes at WP since the Bangkok bomb. When I was there, 3 months back, the place was full of westerners doing in-out's.

I prefer, Padang, theres not that many western tourists coming through, its pretty relaxed and easy to get to from Hat Yai.

If you intend to go to one of the border crossings from Hat Yai, post your ideas, I live in Hat Yai and I have a multi-O, so I will tell you from experience.

There are also a couple of good posts on TV, where guys had got from the airport on Songthaew ( thats good going ) and made it to the border, just search.

ETS: The post before me, is pretty good, he's referring to the Sadao crossing - However, there have been reports of people being detained even with the 20,000B - and they would need to pay an extra 500B - Just do yourself a favour, avoid the place.

Edited October 17, 2015 by recom273

[ALFREDO]

Why not drive to Ranong cross over to Myanmar to either Andaman Club
Casino Hotel Island - Andaman special Pier and Immigration - my choice (cost some hundred Baht more)

or to Kauwthung-Victoria Point in Myanmar.

Is a easy way and less hassle then the Malaysia route.

[ikbenhet]

Why not drive to Ranong cross over to Myanmar to either Andaman Club

Casino Hotel Island - Andaman special Pier and Immigration - my choice (cost some hundred Baht more)

or to Kauwthung-Victoria Point in Myanmar.

Is a easy way and less hassle then the Malaysia route.

And can be done easily in one day from Samui.

[ALFREDO]

Why not drive to Ranong cross over to Myanmar to either Andaman Club

Casino HotelIsland - Andaman special Pier and Immigration - my choice (cost some hundred Baht more)

or to Kauwthung-Victoria Point in Myanmar.

Is a easy way and less hassle then the Malaysia route.

And can be done easily in one day from Samui.

Right, but is the hassle really necessary OP?

A two day trip with one overnight would be my way to go, in RANONG, either the Casino Hotel on the island, always a kind of James Bond feeling for me. If you can negotiate a much cheaper than the asking price.

Or in Ranong there is the nice Tinidee Hotel in the city Center which provides Ranong hot spring water in its small recreation pools and bathrooms, as I understood long ago.

I liked it.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g317133-d301370-Reviews-Tinidee_Hotel_Ranong-Ranong_Ranong_Province.html

[HatYai2]

Stay Away from Dannok (Sadao).

We came back after a two day shopping trip to Penang on 9 Oct.

We have Multi entry "retirement" visas. Luckily, I took the bank book and statements and money and proof of 10yr stay at my appartment. (Thanks TV)

Was asked 10 times "So where do you work? What are you doing? Where do you teach?" etc.

We paid good money for the visas and gave all the proofs of income etc. in February.

We thought we would be last back on our minibus to HY.

A British couple with a new tourist visa just issued in Penang had only B70000 on them, but proof of more.

They were held for 20 mins longer than we were!

[Too]

Hello,

Ranong is closer to Ko Pha-Ngan than Sadao or Padang Besar is.

You can hop on a boat at Ko Pha-Ngan to Chumphon via Ko Tao

and then take an air-con bus or mini-van to Ranong, and do the

reverse on your way back.

[PoorSucker]

Just go to any travel agency, there are "visa-run" companies that will take you to the border and back in one day.