On 2nd Sept 2014, I went to Hadyai for one day trip.
Hadyai or also Hatyai as most Malaysian spell it, is a district located in southern part of Thailand.
How do I get there?
I was in Perlis for holiday and Hatyai is only around 1 hour away from Padang Besar.
At first I decided to get there by train and later when I found out train cost me RM16+, I choose to go by mini van.
After the immigration at Padang Besar, I walked (yes, literally walked by foot) to Thailand immigration. There are many cars from Thailand entering Malaysia, not sure why. Anyway, Padang Besar to Thailand border is only about 2KM.
You can also opt for taxi/motorbike taxi from Padang Besar. Upon arriving there, I was approached by a Thai guy whom offered to fill up Thai passport slip for RM1. I read in the internet about this and since all the wordings in Thai, so I just let him fill it up for me. The funny part is, he also asked if I'm married or not and he gave me a "name card" of the "person-in-charge" if I want to get married "legally" in Thailand.
Anyway, to reach to Hadyai, is almost one hour journey and not convenience to go on foot, so the best option is to use mini van.
The station is located almost 2-3KM from custom house, and since I didn't know the direction, the friendly brother also offered to take me there for RM5. At first I was bit skeptical, but since I went there with a friend, I figured we can try. As expected, he brought me to money changer first, which is a good thing, but I felt a bit *don't-know-how-to-describe-the-feeling-in-English* because he didn't asked me before. Arrived at the station, bought a ticket for 50Baht and wait until the van is full before we depart.
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| Hadyai local mini van/bus station |
What to do in Hadyai?
I took tuk-tuk to get to the centre of Hadyai and cost me 40Baht for two person. Not really sure what to do, so I proceed go to Lee Garden Plaza. I reach Hadyai at 10AM Malaysia or 9AM Thailand. Its a little too early actually. None of the shop open yet. So I waited and walked around. There are many tour guide in this area, standing around, approaching tourist with a scrap book that shows a lot of interesting place to visit/things to do in Hadyai.
My first intention was to visit the famous floating market, too bad it only open during weekend. So next, I went to Kim Young Market. One of the most famous and attractive place for shopping. This market sells a lot of fresh fruits and interesting snack. I bought myself cherries (it looks superbly fresh and delicious!) and Peppero. It was quite cheap too.
I also went to Santisook market, also sells the same thing as Kim Young market. To kill time, I walked around the city, cant help but to notice there a lot of massage parlor around, as low as 100Baht for massage. Being in Thailand, no matter which part, I definitely will visit the 7E. Haha. I sincerely think it should be consider as a tourist spot :P
Actually, there a lot more interesting place to visit in Hadyai, and if you have time and budget, can also visit Songkla.
What to eat?
No problem for me to find Halal food in Thailand, especially Hadyai. For lunch, I went to Hamid Restaurant, located next to Lee Garden Plaza. Judging by its name, I thought its going to be one of the Pakistani/Indian restaurant, but I was wrong! This restaurant is owned by local Thai and believe me, the food is as authentic as it can get. I ordered famous Tomyam and Somtam, and probably one of the best I've eaten. Alhamdullilah. This restaurant also accept Ringgit.
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| This restaurant also provide a praying room |
Besides that, you can find a lot of cheap café, selling "Chaiyen" or coffee in Hadyai. Funny, this is one thing I couldn't find in Malaysia, cheap café.
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| Just in case you are craving for some protein, this hotdog is Halal and can be found in 7E |
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| Cornetto Red Velvet, only available in Malaysia few months later |
Beware of motor-taxi scam
I decided to go back to Malaysia by train (train station is walking distance from city centre, but you can also took tuk-tuk. By the way, no taxi can be found here). Upon arriving the train station, unfortunately I have missed the 4PM train, so I had to go back by mini van again.
When I walk out from the train station, I was approached by motor-taxi drivers that offered to take me and my friend to the van station for 120Baht. They are talking in Thais and I was under the impression the fare is for two person. (I did repeat it multiple time though). Once we arrive at the van station, the driver asked for 120 Baht each. My friend who arrive first insisted to wait for me before paying. When I arrived, the first driver took the money from my friend and drove away. The second driver also asked for money, when we told him, we already paid to the first driver, he refuse to leave and insisted for the money. Confused and don't wait to prolong the situation, we ended up paying him another 120Baht. So, the journey took us 240Baht (which we can get it cheaper if we took tuk-tuk like we did earlier) Pfft.
Anyway, moral of the story, always confirm on the fare/cost before agreeing on anything especially in foreign countries. Still, Hadyai is an interesting place to visit and in the future, I wish to explore other part of Hadyai and Thailand too. Its a wrap! Alhamdulillah.
