From Malaysia to Southern Thailand, who has travel tips?
Dear readers,
In July we leave for Thailand/Malaysia for 3 weeks. We fly to Kuala Lumpur and then travel through the Taman Negara and possibly the Cameron Highlands to South Thailand. Roughly speaking, we want to spend about 5 to 7 days in Malaysia and the other 2/2,5 weeks in southern Thailand. Finally, our trip ends in Bangkok.
Now it was originally intended to travel from Malaysia to Thailand by (night) train. We skip the 4 southern border provinces for safety reasons. But I'm curious if there are other nice options besides flying and the car? I saw that you can also take the boat to Langkawi from Penang. Maybe someone has experience with this? Is this really a nice boat trip, or is the bus/taxi or train a wiser choice?
And does anyone have any tips for nice affordable accommodations in the south? We have few wishes; I would like a room that can accommodate the 4 of us (2 adults and 2 children aged 9 and 10). And the accommodation must be near the beach or there must be a swimming pool (close) to the accommodation.
In addition, it seems to me quite a hassle to visit an island. You depend on when and how often a boat goes (flying is not an option due to fear of flying, the intercontinental flight is already a huge challenge) and connecting transport is also difficult because you never know exactly what time you will arrive, I was told. But …. I also think it would be very nice to experience the real “bounty feeling” for 2 or 3 days. Does anyone have any good tips for this?
I am also very curious what people consider to be the most beautiful nature reserve in southern Thailand. We found Khao Yai very beautiful and would also like to see this holiday and NP in Thailand. According to the books I should then Khao Sok NP. What do you think?
We especially like to spot the larger mammals.
One last question; where are we most likely to spot a wild dolphin? Or is the chance of this very small in July/early August?
Thanks in advance!
Yours faithfully,
Petra
Why not still by train? It is true that the train partly runs through a “red” area – advice: do not travel. However, things are not too bad with the insecurity, especially in Songkhla province, and the chance that an attack on your train will take place just at that moment is really very small.
Such a train journey is wonderful to experience and a great start to your route through Thailand.
Hi, I also sailed from Malaysia to Thailand by boat a few years ago, nice experience, but it is not a luxury boat with everything on it and in Thailand, khao sok is highly recommended, spending the night on the lake is also great for the children in the morning. from your cabin straight into the lake, I wish you a lot of fun, Bert
I don't know if the situation is different now but in the past I often went by train from Butterworth to Hatyai (or further to Bangkok). Several times I had to hire a taxi from Butterworth to Hatyai because the international train (Bangkok-Butterworth vv) was not running due to too few passengers. And that is always found out at the very last moment ... no fun and a lot of extra costs because a taxi is not exactly cheap
From Langkawi the boat to Koh Lipe is great.
A few years ago we took a train journey from Malaysia to the border with Thailand. But not an ordinary luxury train, but a slow train. The jungle train. The special thing about this trip is the environment: the grain drives straight through the jungle with often special encounters with various wild animals. I don't remember the details anymore. I do remember that the train left very early (around 5 o'clock or so), that it is a shabby village with simple accommodation options. The train does not go further than to a village near the border. From there take a taxi to cross the border and continue from a station in Thailand. All in all, a lot of hassle and tiring but very worth it! Details can be found on the internet.
Top! Thank you for your comment.
I'm going to take a closer look at it because this sounds very nice!
Yours faithfully,
Petra
I don't know that all boats sail as it can rain in July and the sea is too rough to sail out. As Rob says from Langkawi to Ko Lipe or from Ko Lipe to the mainland, I don't know if these sail. Just google to see if there are sailings to Kolipe in July. Normally it is better to go to Ko Samui in July, so South East. Take the train in Malaysia and get off at Surat Thani station. Then the bus to the Don Sak pier and then the boat to Ko Samui, Ko Tao or Ko Phangan. Possibly from there by catamaran to Chumphon and then possibly by bus to Hua Hin and from here there is a bus to the INT airport. For hotels I look on agoda or booking com to know the price and where the hotel is located and the necessary photos, but they don't tell you everything. If I have a hotel in mind, I look on TripAdvisor to see what they say about it and then I look up their website and email and send a message and ask what the price is if I stay a certain number of days. Currently in Hua Hin for the time being. Smile hotel soi 94 petkasem road with swimming pool and decent breakfast. About 600 meters from the beach with sunbeds. There are large rooms along the pool side. In this soi there are plenty of restaurants to eat in the evening and you can go to the market Village (dept.stores) 400 meters from the hotel. At the bottom of the basement at the rear left you have a food corner where you can eat cheaply in the afternoon and on the ground floor at the back you have Lotus Tesco to buy all kinds of things, such as with us in Carrefour, Delhaize, etc. Ann de At the entrance of the basement you can also exchange money at twelve Victory. This has the best exchange rate.
Pleasant holiday
Dear Petra, if you go overland from Malaysia to Thailand you only get 2 weeks VISA, or you have to fly to Thailand then you get 30 days VISA.
Upon arrival in Malaysia (AIRPLANE) you get 3 months for a stay in Malaysia.
Sorry Henry, that was years ago, overland to Thailand is 30 days, but if you do this more than twice a year, you can get into trouble
Yes indeed, sorry, because friends came to me via Kuala Lumpor Via Penang and by car to Bangkok, but they only got 2 (TWO) weeks at the border!!
Hello Petra,
We have been going to Koh Lipe for 25 years, the first 15 years as a leave in the winter 2x 30 days, the last 10 years every year 6 months wintering.
We are avid divers and have always worked with Tarutao National Park “Reefgardians”
We know all the islands in the deep south above and below the surface.
Now in connection with your journey:
In July you can go from Penang to Langkawi by ferry and from Langkawi to Koh Lipe also by ferry (not by speedboat).
The park is closed but you can still visit many beaches on the outside of Tarutao west park.
You will certainly have the bounty feeling there and it is a paradise for the children with "Nemo" in front of the door.
Dolphins are rare to see.
Some practical matters:
Koh Lipe is open all year round.
It may rain in July but it clears up very quickly.
In July the water is very clear and you can see up to 50 meters underwater and you can see the bottom at more than 20 m depth.
There are speedboats that go to Pakbara, at least 5 a day.
There are speed boats that sail to Phuket, but it is not recommended.
Do not book a hotel in July, there is plenty of room and at a reasonable price.
An alternative route is Penang – Hatyai – Pakbara – Koh Lipe.
You can spot dolphins in Nakhon Si Thammarat
https://beachbumadventure.com/pink-dolphins-thailand/
Eric and Farie
Thank you for your detailed story!
I'm going to take a good look into it.
Quick googling in any case already yielded very nice pictures of Kho Lipe.
We are excited!
Yours faithfully,
Petra
I went to Thailand by boat from Langkawi last November.
To the Tam Malang pier in the Thai province of Satun.
Not a special boat, sailing takes about 1 hour.
On arrival there are the Song Taews taxis that will take you into town. And from there you can continue by bus or personal taxi.