Bright Start & Smooth Checkout
It was time for another border crossing. We were up bright and early at a quarter to eight, the kind of lazy Sunday morning where everything feels slower and softer. Most of the packing was done the night before, so after a quick shower we checked out of Kien’s cosy unit an hour later, ready for the road.
Easy Drive Out of Hat Yai
The self checkout was effortless, and five minutes later we began our drive toward Sadao Immigration. Hat Yai was already awake but unhurried — shutters lifting slowly, breakfast stalls steaming, motorbikes drifting by without weekday urgency. As we left the city, shophouses gave way to rubber trees and quiet villages, all moving at a relaxed Sunday pace.
Punthai Pit Stop
Half an hour in, we stopped at a PTT station for breakfast at Punthai Coffee. The place was calm, with only a few travellers passing through. We ordered:
- Iced Milk Green Tea
- Iced Caramel Coffee
- Ham & Cheese Sandwich
- Tuna Sandwich
All for THB265 (≈ MYR33/USD8/EUR7). After stretching our legs and a quick restroom break, we resumed our drive at 8:45am.
Rainy Cruise Toward Sadao
The remainder of the drive carried that gentle Sunday calm. Rubber plantations cast soft shadows, villages stirred slowly, and the soundtrack was just the hum of BiBi and distant motorbikes. The weather shifted playfully — soft rain, then heavier bursts, then clear skies again — leaving glistening patches on the highway.
Sadao Immigration & A Wrong Turn
By late morning, we reached the Sadao Immigration Complex. Immigration was smooth: TM2 and TM3 handed over, stamps done. Customs was equally straightforward with the Temporary Import Permit.
But before reaching Bukit Kayu Hitam CIQ, we made a classic border crossing mistake — keeping left instead of right at the final fork. A quick loop back fixed everything.
Bukit Kayu Hitam — The Sticky Part
Malaysian Immigration was a breeze. Customs, however, was where things got interesting. Our four Makro boxes drew immediate attention. A customs officer inspected every single item — snacks, sauces, toiletries, drinks — the full Hat Yai bounty laid bare. Thorough, not tense, just the kind of scrutiny that comes with a haul big enough to stock a small shop.
Cleared & Southbound
We finally got a clean bill of health and were on our way by a quarter to ten. Both complexes were busy but organised, with clear hand signals and smooth lanes. Once past Customs, the road opened up again and we continued south without delays.
Rainy Fields & Familiar Roads
The drive toward Alor Setar was peaceful. Light traffic, shifting rain, wide green fields, and small towns appearing occasionally. Even with the weather changing, the journey stayed calm and open.
Arrival in Alor Setar
As we reached the outskirts, the rain softened. Familiar shops and neighbourhoods welcomed us back. At 11:50am MY time, we arrived at Grand Alora Hotel, ending another smooth northern crossing.
Parting Gift & What’s Next
Before signing off, we shared a full showcase of our Hat Yai haul — every box from Makro, every bag from Big C, every snack and find from Odean and beyond. A colourful farewell to our northern shopping spree.
There’ll be no filming during our stay in Alor Setar as I’ll be on relief duty at the branch.
Stay tuned for the final video of our northern adventures as we drive back to Kuala Lumpur this coming weekend!
(Do visit our YouTube Channel Have Perut Will Travel)
📍 Location:
Lee Mansion - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YwERzVnV7sSpQmid7
Sadao Border Checkpoint - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hA46wpkAqFwEwTwP7
Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS - https://maps.app.goo.gl/dh68woS15JTVwccj6
Grand Alora Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/qGrn4YxvbCC5C1U28
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