Overland from Penang to Hatyai by van

One of the best ways to get into Thailand from Penang is via van. RM35 is the going rate and if you get a good agent they will even throw in a departure card filling in service and deposit you at your preferred doorstep in Hatyai. 

My travelling companions consisted of 2 ladies who were heading to Hatyai for their new hairdo. One of them bragged that she could get a cut, perm and colour done for all of RM90 only. Me, I'm paying more for mine because I'm so pleased with having found Ph'kem last year in Bangkok and while it's gonna cost me RM150 for just cut and colouring alone , transport & hotel not included , I'm ok with that.

Anyway , this is the first time I'm using this agent and we soon pull up at this stop below . 

  

            

Great all in one stop. They even have counter clerks to fill in your departure card for you when you hand over your passport . Get this traveller sim card when you see it and follow the instructions once you cross the border. Excellent coverage.

Upon reaching the first check point , there are 2, you need to get off and walk up to the Malaysian immigration counter and present them with your passport. Once done , walk back to the van waiting for you over on this side.

The area to the left of this flag is the Thai check point while beyond that on the right, is known as a no man's land . 

Total chaos on the Thai border . There doesn't seem to be any system as you can just line up where you want. Get RM1 ready if your van driver did not collect it from you before. 

If you think that's bad , then you obviously have not seen JPJ officers from our side squeeze RM50 out from the Thais in broad daylight. Happens. 

Once you've gotten your passport chopped , very likely, your van driver will be parked behind, at the large carpark waiting for you.

 Across from this signboard  , is the sin city of Danok. 

I really don't like going into Danok, as it reminds me of the seediest , most sleaziest parts of Nana and Patpong all put into one. Try not to stop here if you are a lone female traveller, lots of men old and single looking for a good time with the masseurs, bargirls, hairsalon girls in this town.

The sight of this bullock at the back of a pick up truck soon makes me forget all about Danok and we end up in Hatyai by noon. A 4 over hour journey of occasional lunacy and chaotic sights.