[Q&A] Crossing Borders: Rantau Panjang & Sungai Golok

[ganman]

Crossing Borders: Rantau Panjang & Sungai Golok

 

 

Hi

 

Has anyone tried crossing the border from Rantau Panjang in Malaysia to Sungai Golok in Thailand via Kota Bharu?

 

Possible to get to Hatyai from there?

[aarzoo]

No reply huh me want to go to YALA via Kelantan and advise and possible if with 4wheels cos 4 ppl coming and only hav 1 bike:weep: Pls Pls advise would greatly appreciate.

[pistolwhip]

not a good idea.

even the locals in k bharu advise against going into golok any time soon. unless youre familiar with the place.

[ganman]

Managed to cross the border at Rantau Panjang(M) & Sungai Kolok(T). No hassles (Border procedures are the same. But not as efficient as the popular borders) although it's definately not very safe in this part of Thailand. There was a very strong military prescence in town (Many soldiers with light arms such as M16s & MP5s). The signs are not very clear (Not much Engish.. either in Jawi or is it Yawi & Thai) and roads not marked well. I passed many road blocks manned by Soldiers. The final one was the most impressive. They had some kinda tank mounted with a rocket launcher. Did not get a chance to take pictures. Was already "stressed" finding my way. Soldiers always stopped to check out the bike and find out where you're heading to.

 

I ended up in some small village. Fortunately not in the wrong area or place where I was not supposed to be. People in the town were helpful and guided me back to the main road towards Hatyai. Roads are not as well maintained as other parts of Thailand. Life was normal in many of the villages I passed but the entrances & exits were always manned by soldiers. Kids always happy to see a bike...

 

In Hatyai, hotel staff were curiously puzzled by the visa stamp stating Sungai Kolok. I guess they were expecting Sadao. Exited Thailand via Sadao.

 

Other than that... it was a good butt aching ride and back breaking ride.

[Al-Simmons]

so it is safe but still quite risky...

 

passed by Rantau Panjang a couple of times but never tried entering Thailand through the border...

[allenkey]

sungai kolok town worth to visit? any nice hotels there?

[Pyok]

sungai kolok town worth to visit? any nice hotels there?

 

i went there around june this yr.... there's plenty of two storey shophouses......... hotels there are much cheaper than hatyai........ rds going there are very long winding rds....... Route 1 - exit kl then use karak highway then again small rds to jeli then border....... Route 2 - follow all the way coastal rd mersing, cherating, kemaman up to border, took us 16hrs continous riding to reach spore using this route.......

 

my opinion - its worth it to visit for only once..... plenty of military presence patrolling the town in the evening.........