I went with my family. We rented a bus decided to save on flights. This means that instead of reaching Thailand in one hour, it took us about 10 hours.
And that's just on the road, not including border control from both Malaysia and Thailand.
Because I travelled from Malaysia, passing through Malaysia land border was a breeze. Malaysian Immigration is suprisingly efficient this way.
It was the land border control at Sadao that killed us the most time.
Because our destination was Hat Yai, we need to pass through the land border control in Sadao. In the olden days when the old immigration office was in effect, my dad recountered that it took only 15 minutes between queue and stamping despite not being electronic. Now that they have moved to a new building with supposedly tighter regulations and modern equipments, it took me one fucking hour.
I'll tell you the "fun" facts now:
1. There is no crowd control in Sadao Immigration Office. So you see people cutting lines and pushing people like neanderthals.
2. There's only one queue line. This means the red-banner thing that supposed to keep a queue, only has one. You kind need to push people around JUST to get into the "actual" queue line. Picture this: a school of sardines pooling outside a cavern because only one fish can pass through at a time. It's absolute hell. I was lucky that we departed quite early in the morning and there were only 80 people at most. By the time I crossed, the queue had trailed way into the main road.
3. Immigration officers are rude as fuck. Just answer their question and smile. They can deny you entry simply because they are in a bad mood and can choose for the heck of it.
4. The new immigration office is extremely small and has no proper air conditioning. Be prepared to rub with sweaty, smelly, sticky people. DO NOT carry too many things with you except absolutely the necessary things. Forget about buying things in duty free during departure. Your priority should be standing in line first.
5. Empty all tanks and bring plenty of fluids, sunscreen and a hat. There's very little shade if the queue trailed way outside into the main road. They DO NOT make special arrangements for the elderly or disabled. You queue like everyone else.
6. Granted the new Sadao Immigration Office has only just begun operation but it's seriously badly managed.
7. If you must buy stuff in duty free, wait until Changloon Duty Free Complex. Throw all hope at Sadao Departure Immigration Office. Changloon has pretty nice chocolates.
8. Despite the general bullfuckery, it's a very clean place. You can shower and get spruced up there.
9. Because there will be shitloads of buses around, those with respiratory difficulties are advised to bring the necessary medications and supplies. Pollution is very bad there. Extremely important to stay hydrated.
10. Once you have passed through the departure immigration office, go get you a nice cup of coconut water. It'll help with the heat wave, hydration and any pollution you inhaled. There are plenty of hawker stalls selling organic drinks like coconut water etc.
11. Don't be one of those nutters that wear heels during travel. Wear sensible shoes.
12. They sell freshly cleaned petai for dirt cheap. My mom bought 2 packets. My dad also bought larger than usual cashew nuts from the hawker stall areas.
About Hat Yai
Hat Yai has a significant Muslim population because it's so close to the largely Islamic population of Northern Malaysia. They have a very beautiful integration of Muslims and Buddhists living together in perfect harmony. Hat Yai has many Hindu temples (Vinayagar and Ganesha temples)
Floating Market is a MUST-SEE. You get excellent street food and very nice clothes for dirt cheap.
If you visit Buddhist of Hindu temples: make sure you get blessings from the monk to ensure a safe journey for you wherever you are. They ask only that you make a small donation for the temples maintenance. They'd give you a divined necklace or cloth bracelets as gifts. It is an experience in itself.
Muslim food is Hat Yai is not very nice in my honest opinion. I had it only once and never wanted to eat them again. Go for genuine Thai or Chinese food. They're better.
If you pass by Perlis highway to enter Malaysia from Hat Yai make sure you eat at the Indian-Muslim (Mamak) shop near Changloon Shopping Complex (not to be mistaken with Changloon Duty Free Complex). It's a little corner restaurant. I believe they have a Marry Brown in the opposite of you want fast food.
Any questions feel free to ask!
And that's just on the road, not including border control from both Malaysia and Thailand.
Because I travelled from Malaysia, passing through Malaysia land border was a breeze. Malaysian Immigration is suprisingly efficient this way.
It was the land border control at Sadao that killed us the most time.
Because our destination was Hat Yai, we need to pass through the land border control in Sadao. In the olden days when the old immigration office was in effect, my dad recountered that it took only 15 minutes between queue and stamping despite not being electronic. Now that they have moved to a new building with supposedly tighter regulations and modern equipments, it took me one fucking hour.
I'll tell you the "fun" facts now:
1. There is no crowd control in Sadao Immigration Office. So you see people cutting lines and pushing people like neanderthals.
2. There's only one queue line. This means the red-banner thing that supposed to keep a queue, only has one. You kind need to push people around JUST to get into the "actual" queue line. Picture this: a school of sardines pooling outside a cavern because only one fish can pass through at a time. It's absolute hell. I was lucky that we departed quite early in the morning and there were only 80 people at most. By the time I crossed, the queue had trailed way into the main road.
3. Immigration officers are rude as fuck. Just answer their question and smile. They can deny you entry simply because they are in a bad mood and can choose for the heck of it.
4. The new immigration office is extremely small and has no proper air conditioning. Be prepared to rub with sweaty, smelly, sticky people. DO NOT carry too many things with you except absolutely the necessary things. Forget about buying things in duty free during departure. Your priority should be standing in line first.
5. Empty all tanks and bring plenty of fluids, sunscreen and a hat. There's very little shade if the queue trailed way outside into the main road. They DO NOT make special arrangements for the elderly or disabled. You queue like everyone else.
6. Granted the new Sadao Immigration Office has only just begun operation but it's seriously badly managed.
7. If you must buy stuff in duty free, wait until Changloon Duty Free Complex. Throw all hope at Sadao Departure Immigration Office. Changloon has pretty nice chocolates.
8. Despite the general bullfuckery, it's a very clean place. You can shower and get spruced up there.
9. Because there will be shitloads of buses around, those with respiratory difficulties are advised to bring the necessary medications and supplies. Pollution is very bad there. Extremely important to stay hydrated.
10. Once you have passed through the departure immigration office, go get you a nice cup of coconut water. It'll help with the heat wave, hydration and any pollution you inhaled. There are plenty of hawker stalls selling organic drinks like coconut water etc.
11. Don't be one of those nutters that wear heels during travel. Wear sensible shoes.
12. They sell freshly cleaned petai for dirt cheap. My mom bought 2 packets. My dad also bought larger than usual cashew nuts from the hawker stall areas.
About Hat Yai
Hat Yai has a significant Muslim population because it's so close to the largely Islamic population of Northern Malaysia. They have a very beautiful integration of Muslims and Buddhists living together in perfect harmony. Hat Yai has many Hindu temples (Vinayagar and Ganesha temples)
Floating Market is a MUST-SEE. You get excellent street food and very nice clothes for dirt cheap.
If you visit Buddhist of Hindu temples: make sure you get blessings from the monk to ensure a safe journey for you wherever you are. They ask only that you make a small donation for the temples maintenance. They'd give you a divined necklace or cloth bracelets as gifts. It is an experience in itself.
Muslim food is Hat Yai is not very nice in my honest opinion. I had it only once and never wanted to eat them again. Go for genuine Thai or Chinese food. They're better.
If you pass by Perlis highway to enter Malaysia from Hat Yai make sure you eat at the Indian-Muslim (Mamak) shop near Changloon Shopping Complex (not to be mistaken with Changloon Duty Free Complex). It's a little corner restaurant. I believe they have a Marry Brown in the opposite of you want fast food.
Any questions feel free to ask!
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