Thailand is a famous destinations for Malaysian riders not
just because of its close proximity but also it has a lot to offer. After
spending a year of charting peninsular Malaysia’s ride routes, we have decided
that it is the right time to cross borders.
The plan is to cover most of the southern region from border
market of Wang Prachan, Satun, Trang, Patthalung and coming back through
Songkhla and Betong.
Together with my riding companion Syahril, we started out
from R&R Rawang northbound around 7.00am on Saturday morning. The weather
is cloudy with an occasion light rain all the way up until state border of
Kedah.
We stopped for petrol in Sungai Perak around 9.00am and met
a couple of riders heading to Sadao Bike Week.
We stopped again in
R&R Gurun around 11.20am for another round of petrol refill and insurance
for our bikes.
It is here that Syahril got inspired and poured diesel into his tank. Only after riding about 150m from the station he realized that he have made that mistake as the bike was choking.
So he have to wait for Allianz Bike Warrior insurance to send a truck to carry his bike to a workshop in Pendang to flush his tank while I continue the journey to our first stop – Pak Bara Beach, Satun.
Upon reaching Changlung, I met with more riders probably heading to Sadao.
I stopped to buy some Baht currency before turning towards Felda Chuping and Wang Kelian.
Riding predator is en route to Sadao most probably
Superb views of Felda Chuping
Twisties road in Kaki Bukit heading to Wang Kelian.
Official means of transporting goods here- Motor Taxi.
I met a group of riders on cubs heading north as well
Border market of Wang Prachan. Malaysians can take a motor taxi to this market from Wang Kelian with a passport.
Road in this part of Satun province is good without any damaging potholes.
I arrived at Pak Bara beach around 4.00pm after a quick stop for lunch and Thai sim card purchase
A local sim card, cost B150 and you'll get 1.2GB of internet for 7 days. I used it only for three days, has a very good coverage and broadband speed in this southern region.
Marina chalet at Pak Bara Beach, Satun (cost us B700 per night)
Later that night I went to Pak Bara night market for dinner
Variety of celup tepung are available and mind you, that fresh ketam celup tepung is B20 each!
Ketam celup tepung at B20!
Syahril have finally arrived in Pak Bara around 8.30pm after going through a long day at the workshop
The beach in the morning
We went for breakfast and have some laksa, pulut with ayam and coffee.
My favourite breakfast set ~ Pulut wangi, ayam goreng, bawang goreng
We check out of Marina Chalet around 9.00am and stopped by a petrol station.
Ron95 is sold at B30.79 here.
Syahril is checking if the girl also got inspired or not and filling up the right fuel… haha
It is dark and raining quite heavily when we head to Trang but that does not stops us.
Trang province has a lot more of rubber estates on the road sides than Satun province.
Navigating wet roads in Trang.
But be mindful because many small cubs and pickup truck will stop and cross the road at their will
Most shops are closed as it is Sunday but the city is still lively
There are a lot of railway crossings in this route
As we are leaving Trang and entered route 4151, the road began to wind
Stopping for petrol and toilet break
I quickly spotted a local children admiring our ride. A pack of keropok segera fresh from Kemaman cheered them!
Checkout the decoration on this truck
Pak Phanang district
Tricycle as a local people transporter in this region
Onboard Tinsulanonda bridge crossing Songkhla Lake, the longest concrete bridge in Thailand
That night we stayed at Sabai Sabai Resort which cost B700
The chalet is very convenient as you can park your bike right
next to the room
That night we went to Hedaya mosque for Maghrib
prayer and have dinner in one of the tomyam restaurant along Khaosan Road in Songkhla
Full fledge seafood tomyam at B70 per bowl
Songkhla Lake is very beautiful in the morning as water
level rises and flock of fishermen were out on small boats
This lake is not an actual lake because the water is saltwater. Its more like a really huge river confluence.
We head out around 7.30am that morning and have a simple
breakfast.
The ride back to Rawang today is expected around 11 hours
We head straight to Yala through coastal road as Songkhla
city is bustling with activities on Monday morning. Yala town is bigger than I've expected.
I stopped to shop for some dresses here. An adult jubah cost around B400 - B500
Winding road towards Betong
On board Lake Hala-Bala bridge (Bang Lam Dam) in Yala province
We reach Betong around 3.00pm
Make a quick stop at Piyamit tunnel
Make a quick stop at Piyamit tunnel
Some oiling is required in the heart of Betong town
We crossed to Pengkalan Hulu around 3.30pm
We went back through Pengkalan Hulu, Gerik and Lenggong. Weather in Tasik Raban is dark and very cloudy that evening
We went back in through Tapah and it is raining heavily in
Bidor but it soon clears as we reach Bidor
We made it safely to Rawang rest area around 7.30pm and say goodbye to each other.
This by far our longest ride but it really felt short, as not enough time is spent exploring new places.
This by far our longest ride but it really felt short, as not enough time is spent exploring new places.
You really have to be here to experience it as it worth all
the hurdle and pain we have to suffer to complete this ride.
My special thanks to Syahril for being part of this journey and may this not be the last!
Ride snippets
Rider: Mr. Shahril Zulkifli & Myself
Distance: 1747km
Duration: 3 days 2 nights
Petrol:
RM120 in Malaysia
RM125 in
Thailand
Accomodation: B70 + B60 split 2 ways
Miscellaneous:
Thai Sim Card: B150 for 1.2GB 7 days
Motorcycle Insurance: RM18
Currency Exchange (current): RM100 = B880
Date: Saturday 13th - Monday 15th June 2015
