About the Malaysia Thailand borders
There are about 20 Malaysia / Thailand overland border crossings however only approximately 7 are open to international passport holders.
Currently Thailand only offers a 30 day on arrival visa for overland travelers that can be used twice a year. 60 day along with further visas are available at Thai consulates and are honored at overland borders.
Some website state 15 day visas overland but the visa regulations changed in 2018.
Do insure you have all the necessary paperwork (visas) needed before crossing these borders. These include:
- Visas (if applicable)
- Fees (if applicable)
- Passport photographs
- Your Passport!
If planned well an overland journey from Malaysia to Thailand can be a great experience. Do take long car/bus/train/ferry times into account. Stay well fed and hydrated. Do try to obtain some local Thai currency before crossing. Usually border exchange rates are not as good compared to larger cities.
Malaysia / Thailand border crossings
Wang Kelian (MY) - Wang Prachan (TH)
How to cross the border: From Kaki Bukit (bus station) take a taxi to Wang Kelian. Get stamped out of Malaysia and walk the 100m to the Thai immigration checkpoint.
Once in Thailand (Wang Prachan) take a Songthaew (Thai pickup truck/ public transport) to the town of Satun where you can catch a bus/ferry to your destination.
Padang Besar (MY) - Padang Besar (TH)
There are two land border crossings here. One for road transport and the other for rail.
How to cross the border via road: The Malaysia Thailand border checkpoints via car are complete via drive-through lanes which are about 300m apart.
How to cross the border via train: both the Malaysian and Thai immigration stations are located at the same railway station in Padang Besar. Thai customs is also located here so if crossing by train make sure to bring all your luggage with you.
Bukit Kayu Hitam (MY) - Ban Dan Nok (TH)
How to cross the border via road: Delays at this border are frequent by road as it's on a direct motorway to Bangkok. There are drive-through immigration and customs lanes on both sides of the border plus a pedestrian lane. The border checkpoints are about 800 meters apart. There is a large duty free shopping complex located between them.
Pengkalan Hulu / Bukit Berapit (MY) - Betong (TH)
How to cross the border via road: This is a busy border checkpoint but the formalities are straight forward. After crossing from Malaysia you need to visit Pengkalan Hulu immigration checkpoint for formalities. Pengkalan Hulu is actually 6 km from the Malaysian border town of Bukit Berapit but on the same road.
Betong in Thailand is actually at the border.
Bukit Bunga (MY) - Buketa (TH)
How to cross the border via road: This is one of the latest Malaysian/Thai border crossings (opening Dec 2007). It involves crossing the Ban Buketa-Bukit Bunga Bridge.
Rantau Panjang (MY) - Sungai Kolok (TH)
How to cross the border via car/bus: There are no cross-border buses. The only way to cross is take a bus to the Malaysian border at Rantau Panjang. From there you will cross the border by foot. Once in Sungai Kolok (Thailand) you can take another bus to your next destination. By car both immigration and custom services are located before the bridge.
How to cross the border via train: From the Malaysian side there is no passenger service. So you'll need to take a train to Pasir Mas which is the nearest train station and take a taxi or bus to Rantau Panjang. Once you cross the Thai border at Sungai Kolok you can catch an onwards train.
Langkawi / Kuala Perlis (MY) - Satun Tammalang (TH)
How to cross the border via ferry: From Langkawi island in Malaysia you are a short ferry ride away from Thailand's town of Satun. From Satun you have access to Thailand's islands in the Andaman Sea.
Malaysia / Thailand border crossings map
Border crossing names: All border crossings here use the geographical name of the border crossing. Keep in mind local's may have a nickname for border crossings or abbreviations..
Southern Thailand border safety
Rumors are still abound about problems in Thailand's southern region. Thankfully there has been no trouble here involving or targeting tourists since 2006. See below for a timeline. Having crossed this border on multiple occasions I've never had or seen a problem other than people reading from outdated guidebooks!
In 2004 there were a number of violent episodes in Yala. Narathiwat. And, Pattani provinces. None were near nor involved tourists.
In 2006 three foreigners were killed in Hat Yai which is Thailand's third largest city and on the Southern train route. Violence towards foreigners was threatened along with some tourist destinations. However none of this came to to fruition.
in 2007 a bomb exploded outside a school killing one person.
In 2014 a teacher was shot by extremist's.
There have also been numerous violent clashes and deaths between authorities and extremist's at the border.
Despite the above the Thailand Malaysia border crossings have been safe for foreigners to cross.
Easiest border crossing from Malaysia into Thailand
The biggest problem people face in crossing the Malaysian Thailand border overland is having more than 2 Thai visas in their passports for one year. This is the limit Thailand has put on all entries into Thailand. However, there will be exceptions if you are just darting in and out of the country. For example if had a two Thai visas and extend both for 6 months in Thailand then there's a very strong chance you will not be allowed to enter Thailand..
All border crossings themselves are relatively easy with no reports of "extra" payments or fines.
The easiest overland border crossing is at Padang Besar via train. Trains run directly from Butterworth in Penang to Bangkok. You can even take the train from Kuala Lumpur or Singapore to Bangkok.
The overland rail border at Padang Besar really only involves getting off the train, get stamped out of Malaysia and going through Thai immigration. It's all done within the railway station.
Another easy border crossing is from the port at Langkawi to Satun in Thailand. You are stamped out in Langkawi and following the ferry ride you go through immigration at Satun Tammalang. From there you can go to Hat Yai for a train further north or take another ferry to explore more islands in Thailand!
Malaysia / Thailand overland border crossing tips & FAQs
Going from Malaysia to Thailand is relatively easy. The only hic-up as mentioned above is if travellers do not know about Thailand's back to back visas rule. If you have already stayed several months in Thailand with two visas in one year then they may well refuse you entry.
Likewise Thailand does offer 30 day exempt visas to the following countries. Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and South Korea get 90 days.
Andorra, Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan are known countries that only get 15 days for exempt visa on arrival.
Again, if you arrive into Thailand overland you can only do so twice in one year. Flying in is more flexible but back to back visas are being cracked down on.
Coming the other way Malaysia gives a 3 month on arrival free visa to most nationalities.
Do keep your arrival/departure cards safe. With overland borders immigration control often asks to see them. It's not a big deal if you lose it, but it's better if you don't lose it!
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