Date : 16th September 2011
Time : 8.00am ( Malaysia Time ) – 12pm ( Thailand Time)
Destination : Changlun – Songkhla
Distance : About 150KM
Depart 5pm from KL and overnight at T-Hotel Changlun. After breakfast, head towards Mini Cafe ( Now Change name to Naluri ) for insurance and rush towards Bukit Kayu Hitam… the queue is about 100M from of Malaysia custom and it is not moving an inch for 15 minutes, notice that the jam is all the way to Thai check point due to Malaysia day holiday.
Detour to Padang Besar check point at Perlis. This is the first time I travel to Perlis and along the way to Padang Besar, you will pass this largest sugar cane farm in Malaysia… nice view…
The traffic in Padang Besar is lesser for passenger car but quite heavy for bus, this is indeed the other way round in Bukit Kayu Hitam. Being first time here, just have to ask around the right place to do the right thing but it is very similar to Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Crossing Malaysia check point is straight forward, just stay in your car and hand over the passport to the drive in counter. Follow the signboard or I rather say follow the others car to Thai check point. Before the Thai Check point, there is a Malaysia uniform officer ( I cannot recall Polis, Custom or Army ) who will ask for your car registration card and verify with the road tax sticker.
The Thai check point is more organize here as I can see officer directing traffic unlike in Sadao.
In less then an hour we are in Thailand.. heading towards Songkhla for lunch…
The lunch destination is Koh Yo, an island in the largest lake of Thailand. There are bridge connecting the island from Songkhla and highway to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
As you drive to Koh Yo, you will notice there are some shops and restaurant along the main road. Since we are hungry.. we just stop by one of the restaurant cum distribution centre of local food product.
The restaurant is located at the back portion of the shop facing Songkhla lake.
The far end is Songkhla Town centre.
Lots of food product and the price is cheaper then Hatyai. This shop looks more like a distributor.
After lunch, drive around Koh Yo.
The sleeping Buddha cannot be missed as you will see it as your drive to Koh Yo
Koh Yo is a fishing village and we found a few restaurant mainly cater for local.. that will be our lunch target tomorrow.
Check in to Pavillion hotel at Songkhla Town, take a rest and head over to the night market near the hotel. The hotel is located in the heart of Songkhla town where weekend night market and Sunday market is just walking distance. However, it is about 2Km from the beach. If you prefer beach activities, then this hotel is not for you.
The night market is is cater more for local then tourist, so to speak is price is cheaper then Hatyai.
My Favorite MPV used as a popular desert stall.
Zheng Yuan become a part time staff here…
Live performance by teenager still in school uniform..they are good..early exposure to music..
Lots of food…dessert..etc….
My favorite coconut jelly…
Very attractive… but just not sure about the coloring
and worms … insect…Zheng Hao has his first bite of grasshopper here..
I like this t-shirt… 
Making Ice-cream a traditional way..
Free wayang kulit show…
We had a Japanese dinner at the mobile restaurant on a truck.. why ? Because the truck restaurant looks cool…
The chef this on top of the truck ..
Kent, no story yet! Haha
Yalor… busy with work…
Give me some time ya….
Hi, may I know how far is Songkhla from border? Any nice places in Songkhla that you can recommend? We plan to drive up to Hatyai from KL in next 2 weeks (this is our first time to drive up), so, wonder if it’s difficult to find the places? All the sign board will be in Thai language, right?
Thanks,
Lee
Hi Lee,
The distance between border to Songkhla is about 100KM, took about 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Sonkhla is a much quiet town compare to Hatyai.
Songkhla zoo is a nice place to visit, for your information, they have a water park inside the zoo now, so you can prepare to stay almost the whole day there. There is a restaurant inside the zoo overlook Songkhla town and Koh Yo, nice view and environment.
Besides that, you can also visit Koh Yo for seafood and stop by the shop along the main road in Koh Yo. It is cheaper compare with Hatyai.
I will try to finish my trip journal to Songkhla soonest possible.
Hope the information helps.
Please note the road sign in Thailand is English and Number. MalaysiaFreeMap has the Southern Thailand map that will be able to guide you around. You can download the map free here http://www.malfreemaps.com/.
Kent
Thanks for yr kind advice, Kent~~
Finally your stories posted haha
Ya.. still trying to finish the rest…. holiday mood.. Merry Xmas and Happy new year to you and family Quek.
Padang Besar is MUCH MUCH MUCH better border crossing than BKH……. no need to pay toll (cos I live in Perlis also). Just the Malaysian side needs brushing up, too much bumps.
Hi Albert,
Thanks for your comment.
May I know where to get insurance done at Padang Besar ?
I took the way from University Perlis and came out at a T-Junction under the flyover, once I turn right towards check point, there are shops along the way but no sighboard for insurance agent.
Kent