Traveling to Thailand for the first time is like a blessed journey. Even though there was a miss-communication when I wanted to move from the train in Malaysia to the train in Thailand, it was strange that I really enjoyed this trip. Yes I’m traveling to Thailand by road trip from Penang, Malaysia.
Saturday morning (April 20, 2019)
I took the first ferry from Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal to Butterworth. Then
pursue the second KTM from Butterworth to Padang Besar. My first luck! I didn't
miss this second train because shortly after entering, the train departed.
Most of the time on the train I
use to sleep because of a long trip. About 2 hours from Butterworth to Padang
Besar. Then I had to go through the Malaysia-Thailand border immigration in Padang
Besar and move the train from Padang Besar to Hat Yai. Sounds easy, isn`t it? It
sounds easy before the drama starts.
This is where the drama starts.
Half-conscious heard the announcement from KTM. I miss-heard and thought
because the KTM was late on the trip so we missed the morning train from Padang
Besar to Hat Yai. Me and my friend immediately confused what we supposed to do.
Do we have to take the bus? But we don't know the direction of the bus terminal
in this border.
I’m not the type of person who
panics for a long term. After we went down, me and my friend casually went out
from the Malaysia side Padang Besar station and passed Malaysian immigration
outside the train station. After that? We were welcomed by many people who
offered to take us to Hat Yai. Of course I refused because I certainly knew
that kind of services would not be
suitable for my budget, hahaha ...
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| Outside Immigration Area |
Then where we supposed to go?
Me and my friend walked from Padang Besar Malaysia immigration post to Padang
Besar Immigration Post in Thailand. After take two wrong lines, we finally got
the stamp and passed Thailand immigration without question from the officer. I
am very grateful to be able to pass immigration easily. In total, 1Km walks on
the border with very hot weather, around 33 degrees Celcius.
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| Walking from Immigration at Malaysia to Thailand |
Before leaving the immigration
area, I checked Google again to ensure the best way to go to Hat Yai. I was
surprised when I saw the train option is available. We immediately rushed to
the nearest station. We were very surprised that there was the Padang Besar
Station also in Thailand. The distance is 600 meters by foot. Hahaha ... we
exercise by walking from Malaysia to Thailand and carrying a backpack too.
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| Walking from Immigration at Thailand to train station |
Padang Besar Train Station in
Thailand side is very small and the station attendants who serve tickets are
also surprised by us. How can we walk through land immigration and not through
the immigration of the train station. After we showed the passport with a stamp
from the immigration officer, they gave us 2 tickets to Hat Yai. And it turns
out that the train will be around almost 2 hours late.
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| My first picture that feels so Thailand |
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| The Ticket |
The train station is small but
very comfortable. When I entered the station I immediately felt that I was
really in Thailand. The design and accent of the building are very typical of
Thailand. The staff and the people at the station were also very friendly to us
when they found out that we were not Malaysian or Thai. They always tell us
that the train that stops is not our train and always updates how long our
train will arrive.
Thanks to God for giving me
this extraordinary experience and also met with friendly people along the trip.
Can’t wait for telling you my nest stories when I’m in Thailand. The delisious
food, beautiful beach, beautiful mosque and temple, and amazing university in
Hat Yai. See you…
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