Following are his bits and pieces updating from Thailand.

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Dec 18, 2011

Greeting from Thailand!

Arrived at Hatyai on 17Dec, today is my 2nd day in Hatyai. Currentlt relaxing at a cafe and working on the net. Wonder how i can post the pics here?

Tomorrow will leave Hatyai to Trang and Krabi, stay 1-2nights there before heading to Phuket.

Nothing much in Hatyai. Perhaps will stay at Songhla on the way back i.e. on 1-Jan12.

Way

ps. manage to get my 1st party inserance coverage at Uni-Asia Butterworth. The staff there said my name is already famous in their company cos i calledd up almost all the branches and the HQ as well :P

Dec 19, 2011

arrive Trang today. went to the rest point (view point) that you went :)

Trang is a very nice small and peaceful town! i love it. stay at Thumarine (sister hotel to the one you stay i.e. thamarin thala) only 750baht very nice room value for money.

Will send you more once i have found more convenience in working on it.

24th Dec 2011

Am doing this posting in my Phuket budget hotel (http://phuket-blueoceanresort.com/rooms/studio/) room now. I ony searched for hotel when i arrives Patong beach yesterday. Drove around looked at some hotels and liked this one (blue ocean studio). asked the price the want charge me RM150, then i went to a few agency website and finally manage to online book through booking.com with only RM75!! IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME ROOM. So much defferent in rate. i always compare online booking and hotel walk-in during my this trip and i have save atleast 40% in rates. sometimes hotel walk-in direct offer much better rate than online booking. do compare. we like this way i.e. able to drive around look at the hotel options (go in look at the room also) then only make final decision with best rate. i tried once pre-booking before trip through net by turn out room not as nice as in website :(, so never do this again liao.

My drive from JB – Phuket is very relaxing and exciting. THANKS KENT FOR HIS BLOG, IT REALLY MAKE THE DRIVING SOUNDS SO SIMPLE (AND IT REALLY IS!).

This is my 1st time dirving to Thailand. AND I DO NOT HAVE A GPS! I STILL DO IT THE TRADITIONAL WAY, AND IT CAN BE FUN ALSO I.E. YOU WILL GET TO THE TOWN’S ROADS BETTER IN YOUR MEMORY. Just obtain those free maps when you reach every town. However i did buy 1 Southern RM12 and it is very useful when i drive between towns.

16Dec   – JB>Penang
17-18Dec – Hatyai
19-20Dec – Trang
21-23Dec – Krabi
23Dec-2Jan – Phuket
>3Jan – Msia…

Time flies. Today is the last day of my trip after 19nights out since 16dec.

Afterall it is a very enjoyable trip. it is easy and simple.

I would like to thank Kent for all his support. Communicating with this website(and Kent) is part of fun and encouragement we get throughout the whole trip. THANKS KENT.

My summary of trip below. Good luck to others who wanna try it.

Where   Hotel      Rate(RM)/night
1       16-Dec-11       JB-Penang       De Garden          125
2       17-Dec-11       Hatyai  The Regency 120
3       18-Dec-11       Hatyai  The Regency 120
4       19-Dec-11       Trang   Thumrin     75
5       20-Dec-11       Trang   Thumrin     75
6       21-Dec-11       Krabi   Luna House    80
7       22-Dec-11       Krabi   Luna House    80
8       23-Dec-11       Phuket Town Ekkamon Mansion     50
9       24-Dec-11       Phuket Patong Blue Ocean Studio 75
10      25-Dec-11       Phuket Patong Blue Ocean Studio 75
11      26-Dec-11       Phuket Patong Blue Ocean Studio 75
12      27-Dec-11       Phuket Town Ban Nai Inn2        55
13      28-Dec-11       Phuket Town Onnicha                     75
14      29-Dec-11       Phuket Town Onnicha                     75
15      30-Dec-11       Phuket Bangtao Dinar Lodge      130
16      31-Dec-11       Phuket Bangtao Dinar Lodge      130
17      1-Jan-12        Danok Sadao Satit Grand 120
18      2-Jan-12        Cameron Highland Equatorial     150
19      3-Jan-12        Seremban        Villa Hotel                       90
4-Jan-12        Home JB
Total   1775
ave per 19     night      93

1) Original Registration Card ( This is the official requirement, I have seen some using photocopy as well )

2) If you are not the car owner, get the authorisation letter from the car owner.

Before you cross the border, you need to purchase Thai insurance to cover the 3rd party in Thailand.

There are 2 insurance here. The first one is the Insurance that you purchase at the border. That  insurance cover 3rd party in Thailand but not your own vehicle. The insurance cost about RM15 for about a week coverage. This is compulsory.

In order to cover your own vehicle, you need to purchase from your local insurance company to cover your stay at Thailand.

However, this is optional if you do not think it is necessary.

The most convenient way is to purchase an extension from your existing insurance company.

For Kurnia Insurance, the insurance premium is 20% of the 1st party insurance that you pay in Malaysia for 30 days coverage. For example, if your car 1st party premium is RM1,000.00, then you need to pay additional RM200.oo for 30days coverage in Thailand. You need to inform the insurance company before you go and when you return. Multiple entry is permitted.

For MSIG insurance, coverage for less then a week is 20% of your existing premium x 1/8. Less then 1 month is 20% of your existing premium x 1/4.  That means if your premium is RM1,000.00, the coverage for less then 1 week is RM25.00, less then 1 month is RMRM50.00

Please call your insurance company to find out more.

You can purchase the Thai insurance at any agency at Changlun town, usually those restaurant cum rest area along the highway after Changlun town offer this services.  You can have the agent to fill up the Thai arrival card/white card at RM1 each. There are a few restaurant / rest area besides the highway after Changlun town toward Bukit Kayu Hitam like the photo below.

This is the insurance document that you will get from the agent.

After you get your Thai Arrival Card/White Card and Insurance done, proceed to Bukit Kayu Hitam Check Point.

Passing through the Malaysia custom is very simple, just drive to the available counter and hand over your passport ( Passenger does not need to get down from car ). Once its done, we proceed to Thailand border where we need to park our car at the parking area and everyone must get down from the car and proceed to the immigration office. Once the passport is stamped, the car owner must proceed to custom counter in the middle of the drive through lane to obtain a car entry permit.

All you need to do is hand over the passport and the car registration card to the officer and he/she will print out a copy of the car entry permit to you.

You must proceed to the next counter in front of you to hand in the car entry permit to another officer ( The officer will ask you to sign on the car entry permit ), once you hand over the car entry permit to the officer, you can now proceed back to your car and drive through the custom, as you pass the custom, the officer will return the car entry form that you submited early on, please have a quick check to make sure that you collect the correct car entry permit.

Please keep the car import permit safely as you need to return to copy to the custom when you return to Malaysia.  Please take note that you can exit in any other checkpoint.

All done and Sawadee Khrap, welcome to Thailand.

On return, if the traffic is less, you may park your car at the counter area and return the car import permit at the custom counter, you are required to sign a log book. Please take note that you car must park in front of the custom counter when you return the document.

If the traffic is heavy, then I will suggest your go straight to the custom counter ( In the middle of the driving lane ), return the car import permit, and park you car at the car park.  Then only you proceed to the immigration counter to stamp your passport. After that back to the car park and drive straight back to Malaysia.

Back to Malaysia is a simple process by hand over the passport to the immigration counter, all passenger remain in car. The custom check point is right after the immigration. Do as what the customer officer told and answer politely.

There are 2 insurance here. The first one is the Insurance that you purchase at the border. That  insurance cover 3rd party in Thailand but not your own vehicle. The insurance cost about RM15 for about a week coverage. This is compulsory.

In order to cover your own vehicle, you need to purchase from your local insurance company to cover your stay at Thailand.

However, this is optional if you do not think it is necessary.

You can purchase an extension from your existing insurance company. That means if you car is currently insured under MSIG, then you can only buy the extension from MSIG, not from any other insurance company.

For Kurnia Insurance, the insurance premium is 20% of the 1st party insurance that you pay in Malaysia for 30 days coverage. For example, if your car 1st party premium is RM1,000.00, then you need to pay additional RM200.oo for 30days coverage in Thailand. You need to inform the insurance company before you go and when you return. Multiple entry is permitted.

For MSIG insurance, coverage for less then a week is 20% of your existing premium x 1/8. Less then 1 month is 20% of your existing premium x 1/4.  That means if your premium is RM1,000.00, the coverage for less then 1 week is RM25.00, less then 1 month is RMRM50.00

Please find the following addition policy that you will get for the coverage extension.

Some may ask if i purchase the extension 1st party insurance from my local insurance to cover in Thailand, do i still need to purchase the insurance in the border to cover 3rd party in Thailand?

I am not able to verify due to language barrier with Thai Authority.

The different is the one that you extending insurance coverage is a Malaysia company, the insurance that you purchase at the border is a Thai Insurance company. The best person to answer your question is the insurance office in Malaysia.

Of course our common understanding is that 1st party insurance cover 3rd party as well, why need to double insured. But what I can imagine is should something happen and if you are covered under a Thai Insurance Company, they will take care of everything since the insurance policy is made in Thailand or simply say they speak the same language.

If you cover under a Malaysia insurance, you may ( just my guess ) have more claim procedure and hassle. ( For the 3rd Party ) since dealing with foreign company – their legal department may have a long battle and we customers are the one who suffer.

BUT since it merely cost less then RM20, I will just pay and have it insured 3rd party under Thai Insurance Company to avoid any problem if it happen.

Just my personal opinion. Please call your insurance company to find out more.

Destination : Songkhla, Hadyai

Last day at Songkhla before moving to Hadyai.

Wake up in the morning and visit the morning market just in front of the hotel.  The Sunday morning market is huge selling all kind of stuffs.

Sunday morning market view from hotel.

 Delicious local food.

 Check out noon and we proceed to visit Songkhla Zoo about 10KM from Songkhla town.  The zoo open everyday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.  I dont remember the exact entrance fees, it is about like 50 baht per person.  As you drive to the entrance of the zoo, you need to buy the ticket at the entrance booth.  Car is allow to drive to the zoo and follow  the road direction to visit all the animal zone.  Or you may walk ( I dont recommend this with young kids ) or hop in to the cart/bus shuttle around the zoo.

Please pay attention to the following schedule for animal performance.

You may also buy fruit to feed the animal at 20 Baht per pack. 

 Very close touch with the deer especially when you are feeding them…

 Run….. the deer is chasing Zheng Er

 Animal performance.

  There is a restaurant inside the zoo serving good Thail food. The view from the restaurant on top of the hill overlooking Koh Yu at the far distance. 

 There is a water theme park schedule to open Oct 2010. During our visit, the water park is partially open and we took the opportunity to enjoy it with great fun.

Best water massage.  

We left the zoo at about 4pm and proceed to Hadyai. Along the way we visit the famous Guanyin temple on top of the hill. The entrance is located at the Hadyai municipal park.

Rabbit Zheng Hao 

Dragon Zheng Ni Goat Zheng Yuan

 And Piggy Zheng Er

My favourite  laughing buddha. Jade Emperor

Check in to Hotel at Hadyai and enjoy the usual food and shopping around the area. 

Destination : Songkhla

Due to the last minute booking, I am not able to get a hotel with swimming pool.  Luckily Pavilion Hotel has a sister hotel call Rajamanga Beach Resort which is located near the beach side has a nice pool that we can use.

Rajamanga Beach Resort is located about 1.5KM from town centre just across the road from the beach. We took the words from the hotel staff  ” walking distance”  and it took us about half an hour to reach the resort.  Show the hotel staff our key card from Pavilion Hotel and we are enjoying all the facilities.

Hours later, we are going back with tuk tuk….

About noon, we decided to do “dragon hunting” in Songkhla Town… if you happen to be there, please try to find the tail, body and finally the dragon head.

After that, we move on to Songkhla Aquarium on high expectation and felt disappointment after the visit.  The entrance fees is about RM30 per person. The Aquarium is small and the only highlight is the fish feeding time where the diver having fun with the fish and turtle.

The best is still the family ice cream time after the visit.

Lunch time.. we decided to go back to the restaurant at Koh Yu where we discover yesterday during the round island tour.  On the way to Koh Yu, we found this road side stall selling our favorite coconut jelly…and we pack some for our dessert.

The restaurant is located at about few hundred meters from the main road. Once your reach the island, turn left at the first junction ( Same junction to the sleeping buddha ), drive along the small road and turn left again when you hit a T-junction. There are a few restaurant along the road, we choose the 3rd restaurant as we noticed a lot of locals dining there.

The restaurant setup is very similar to sea food restaurant at Port Klang, wooden structure built on top of water.

Nice view from restaurant.

Fresh and delicious Thai Style food.

After lunch, we drive north to explore further.  We discover a beach resort call Haadkaew Beach Resort. It is located at a remote area where life is peaceful here.

We decided to return to Songkhla after hours of exploring via a different route – Ferry instead of driving over Koh Yu.  Right next to the jetty is a temple inside a cave housing God of mercy and my favorite laughing buddha.

When you approach the jetty, you will notice a lot of kids running up and down offering their services to buy ferry ticket.  In fact you don’t need their service as the ticket booth is just located next to the the jetty ( just like a parking booth ). However, the kids will be very happy if you pay them a Baht of two as a tips.  I  don’t remember the exact price of the ferry fees, I guess its around 20-30Bahts per car, passenger inside the car is free.  It is a short cut bring you directly to Songkhla town instead of driving kilometers passing Koh Yu. But during peak hours, the queue can be quite long. The ferry journey took about 10-15 minutes.

Back to Songkhla town, we visit the famous Samila beach where the statue of mermaid located.

Having fun time at beach till sunset, back to hotel, having dinner and slow walk at nigh market…. continue shopping…

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 ..

Bravoo  Sunny and please keep it going.

Please visit Sunny blog at http://roadtriptothailand.blogspot.com/

Each year in late November to early December, the world famous River Kwae Bridge built by Allied prisoners-of-war during World War II , becomes the focal point of celebrations.

Event highlights include historical and archaeological exhibits, a carnival, folk and cultural performances, rides on World War II vintage trains, and a spectacular light and sound presentation re-enacting the bridge’s World War II legacy.

Kanchanaburi is the place that I have yet to got a chance to visit, I might plan to drive to Kanchanaburi next year because it is just another 3 hours drive from Hua Hin.

In Bangkok:
November 19 – 21, 2010
Nationwide:
November 17 – 21, 2010

As the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in mid-November) lights up the night sky, throughout the Thai kingdom, hundreds of thousands of ornately-decorated krathong or traditional banana leaf floats are set adrift in rivers and waterways in a spell-binding ritual called “Loi Krathong” — the ‘festival of lights”. This is one of the Kingdom’s oldest and best-preserved traditions. The Loi Krathong tradition we know of today has evolved from the royal rituals of the early Rattanakosin period in which several types of lanterns were set afloat in the Chao Phraya River and its waterways.

If you are driving to Bangkok, this will be a good chance to witness the festival.