Hat Yai to Penang by Train and Ferry

Hat Yai to Padang Besar BORDER
There are only 2 trips for Hat Yai-Padang Besar train route. The morning trip will leave Hat Yai Junction Station at 7:30 a.m. (Bangkok time) and 1:05 p.m. for the afternoon trip. It will take at least 1 hour to reach the border. The ticket price is 50 Baht.  Remember that Malaysia has a different timezone. It is 1 hour ahead of Thailand. So if you take the morning trip, you'll arrive in the border at 10:55 in the morning.

At the border, a staff will direct you to the Thai immigration counter for an exit stamp. Then another staff on the other side will direct you to the Malaysian  immigration counter for an entry stamp. The Malaysian official will usually ask the questions about your plans or activities that you will do in Malaysia. Don't forget to check the dates of the stamps you've got. Then proceed to the x-ray detector machine for security check.

Padang Besar to Butterworth
Go to the second floor to buy a ticket going to Butterworth. The cost is around 11.40 Ringgit. There's no money changer there. Proceed to the entrance on the same floor then go down to the platform on the first floor. You may ask the staff at the platform about the arrival of the train going to Butterworth or simply look for it on the train departure/arrival information monitor.

Butterworth to Penang Island
When you're at Butterworth station, go up to the exit on the second floor and a staff will be there to get your ticket. If you lost it or cannot provide it, you'll pay 30 Ringgit. Then, take the exit going to the ferry station. It's a long walk but comfortable enough because of the covered footbridge. The ticket price for a short ferry ride is 1.20 Ringgit for adults. You will reach the jetty port of Penang Island in 20-30 minutes. Free toilets can be found at both ends of the Ferry. The bus station is very close to the port. You can take bus 101 going to CHULIA street where you can find cheap hostels for backpackers. You can also walk going there if you don't carry a lot of things.

ALIBABA SCAM!

CHINA SCAM!

Beware of Shenzhen HongYan Electronic Limited Company. Their website address is hyline.en.alibaba.com or hongdak.cn. I did not receive the items that I ordered to them last JUNE 19, 2014.

Hat Yai, Thailand to Penang Island, Malaysia by Van (Land Travel)

One convenient way to travel from Hat Yai to Penang is by van. There are many travel agencies that you can find in the center or downtown of Hat Yai that offer transportation services going to Penang Island. I chose to take the last trip of the van from Hat Yai at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The cost of the fare is exactly 400 Thai Baht. The van can leave even if there are still some vacant seats. 

Van from Hat Yai, Thailand to Penang, Malysia

Vietnam Job SCAM

Below is the true story of a foreigner who worked under NES EDUCATIONAL SOLUTION Joint Stock Company in Vietnam.


Here's my story:

I worked for almost 3 years as a teacher in Thailand until I decided to move to Vietnam on June 12, 2015. Upon arrival, I went straight to my teaching assignment located at a far-flung area of the country. However, I was later offered a job by NES EDU Company (www.nesedu.vn) that is based in Hanoi under a 6-month term contract. At that time, my visa was about to expire on September 3, 2015 (a week after I moved to the company) and NES EDU assured me that they have all the means and connections to extend it.

Free Vegetarian Restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam

Delicious and Nutritious Vegetarian Food for free in Hanoi, Vietnam

Free Vegetarian Restaurant in Hanoi, Vietnam

The owner of  Rau sạch Đại Ngàn restaurant has his own farm in Vietnam and strictly practicing a Buddhist lifestyle. It is free to eat all the food inside. There are so many Vietnamese people and I'm the only foreign national who eats there as far as I know that's why I'm sharing this to all of you so more foreigners will have a chance to experience eating vegetarian food.