Driving Trip to Southern Thailand Part 1

I just came back from a driving trip to Hatyai, Southern Thailand. The trip was planned way back in December without any specific destination at first. It was supposed to be my birthday holiday trip.

We decided to take a driving trip this year with our brother and his daughters. All together there were 6 persons (3 pax each in a car) went on this trip. The planned was to stay 1 night in Perak on the way to Hatyai and a 2 night stayed at Novotel Central there.

We departed from eastern part of Singapore at 2.30pm on Sunday 16th March 2008 heading towards Johore 2nd link. We expected that the immigration clearance will be a little hassle though cause of the wanted Jemaah Islamiah fugivite escaped. Surprisingly, with the efficiency of the Singapore Immigration and Custom Authority service, we managed to pass thru the immigration less than half hour of checking and thumbprint takings.

We had no problem at Malaysia custom too. Its a breeze driving from the 2nd link checkpoint until we stop for our Asar prayer and coffee break at Machap R & R. We continued our journey to Perak and stop once again at Dengkil R&R for our Maghrib and Isyak prayer. There we had our dinner. All of us were not too enthusias on eating as we were so excited to reach Perak for the nite.

We reached Ipoh and we heading towards Seri Malaysia hotel. Unfortunely, there is no more room. The reception at the hotel was helpful enough to give us a few more other hotels contact number. After some calls, we decided to check in at Grand View Hotel at Jln Horley in Ipoh town. It was a much fuss to look for the hotel as the staff there said that the hotel is situated at Jln Holy. Looking at the map, we couldnt find any Jln Holy (as what the receptionist said. We found out later it is supposed to be Horley not Holy..heheee). Nevertheless, we just based on a lookout for the hotel and found it at exactly 11pm. The rate for the family room is RM$168. This room comprised of 2 king size bed. We took one of this room and another standard room which cost RM$89. I just had to try my luck at bargaining for the room rate. Lucky for me, we managed to get RM$20 discount for the family room and RM$10 for the standard room. So guys, it is no harm asking if there is any discount available. (Learn this trick when I went to London back in year 2000).

Night well spent, drivers had enough rest, we headed for Hatyai after having our RM$17.40 breakfast for 6 person at 9.30 am.

At approximately 12 noon, we dropped by a petrol station at Napoh in Kedah to pump full tank as petrol in Thailand is more expensive than Malaysia. I saw a restaurant called Jo Cendol Pulut. A colleague had recommended that we eat at this restaurant. So we did just that. I spoke to the owner of the restuarant, Hjh Roshidah. Thru our conversation, I came to know that the restaurant also provide service for Thailand insurance. The charges is quite cheap for us Singaporean. It cost RM$15 per car registration. An embarkation card was charged at RM$1 per card. Since I got to know the lady boss, we got a discount of Rm$0.50 per card and thats a saving of RM$3 for the 6 of us.

After settling all the immigration documents at Jo Cendol Pulut, we headed to Changlun checkpoint (Malaysia immigration checkpoint) at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah.

Here is the address of Jo Cendol Pulut :

Restoran Cendol Pulut Jo
Km 17.3 Lebuhraya Bukit Kayu Hitam
Pekan Napoh, 06000 Jitra Kedah
Tel:/Fax: 60 04 9162559
Waktu Perniagaan : 10 pagi hingga 11 mlm.

It was a breeze to pass by the Malaysia counterpart. I was quite nervous to pass the Thai border due to all the media reports about rioting and clashes at Southern Thailand. I never stop reciting prayer in my heart that Allah guided and blessed us on our journey.

We had some exciting encounters at the immigration at Sadao in Thailand. Will share with you in Part 2 as I need to finish up my monthly report for the bosses. So guys, see you soon.