Answered8 years ago
What should I know about visiting Penang and applying for a Non-B visa to return to Thailand?
Hi all, a few questions for you. I'm going to Penang tomorrow. I understand Monday is the holiday so I'll just wait till Tuesday to go to the embassy.
I haven't been to Penang in four years and I just have a few questions for you.
- recommended accommodation in Penang? I stayed at Stardust guest house last time and it was decent. Fast internet and private bathroom would be a plus but not necessary.
- I'm gonna be returning to Thailand after my trip on a three month Non-B visa. Do you need to show 10,000 baht for a non b? I've heard conflicting reports about this because they change visa laws every month and it seems to depend on the mood of your border guard and which station. Considering the phase of the moon now who knows lol. I'm an American and on tourist visa I've been asked for 10,000 on the spot.
- do you know minivan or train time schedule from Hat Yai to butterworth/penang? Last time I went here I took a morning train from hat yai and it was very pleasant. I also heard there is a night train.
- any big updates in the last four years in Penang? I loved the Indian food last time. Any museums worth checking out? I missed them last time.
***-also, everyones telling me Penang is now more more "strict" but I have no idea what this implies. What does that mean? Will I run into a potential issue for my non b? I have all the paperwork needed.
Thank you!
I haven't been to Penang in four years and I just have a few questions for you.
- recommended accommodation in Penang? I stayed at Stardust guest house last time and it was decent. Fast internet and private bathroom would be a plus but not necessary.
- I'm gonna be returning to Thailand after my trip on a three month Non-B visa. Do you need to show 10,000 baht for a non b? I've heard conflicting reports about this because they change visa laws every month and it seems to depend on the mood of your border guard and which station. Considering the phase of the moon now who knows lol. I'm an American and on tourist visa I've been asked for 10,000 on the spot.
- do you know minivan or train time schedule from Hat Yai to butterworth/penang? Last time I went here I took a morning train from hat yai and it was very pleasant. I also heard there is a night train.
- any big updates in the last four years in Penang? I loved the Indian food last time. Any museums worth checking out? I missed them last time.
***-also, everyones telling me Penang is now more more "strict" but I have no idea what this implies. What does that mean? Will I run into a potential issue for my non b? I have all the paperwork needed.
Thank you!
Answer summary
The user seeks advice prior to their trip to Penang, including accommodation suggestions, clarification on the cash requirement for a Non-B visa, travel schedules from Hat Yai to Penang, and recent updates about Penang's attractions. Respondents mention requirements for showing 20,000 baht at the border and the importance of having all necessary paperwork for the visa application.
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Marco *********
You can apply your visa from 9 am to 10 am only.
You can take back your passport the day after from 2 pm to 3 pm only.
You need to show all papers from your company accounting.
At Sadao border you will be asked to show 20,000 baht cash.
If you will work as a teacher they are very strict about police clearance.
You can take back your passport the day after from 2 pm to 3 pm only.
You need to show all papers from your company accounting.
At Sadao border you will be asked to show 20,000 baht cash.
If you will work as a teacher they are very strict about police clearance.
Janine ******************
Trains from Hat Yai to Pedang Basar is at 07:25 and 13:00 only. 2 trains per day. Trains to Butterworth runs every 2 hours. The Thai consulate wants all the docs including 2 police clearance checks. 1 from your home country and 1 from Thailand. If you go in person there make sure you get there early as they only accept 100 applications per day. And yes just carry 20,000 baht on you when coming back to Thailand.
Janine ******************
Okay cool. Enjoy your trip to Penang. Let us know how the visa thing goes.
Anthony **********
OPHey Janine! The train today is at 14:00. I don't know if that's a usual thing or not but I thought I'd let you know!
Anthony **********
OPGod bless you
Janine ******************
@Anthony *********
you can just show up for the tickets. No problem.Anthony **********
OPone last question: Do I need to buy the train ticket in advance? Or can I show up at, say, 10 minutes before the train leaves?
Janine ******************
Vans usually continues till 4pm ish.
Anthony **********
OPok great. Thank you so much
If by some crazy chance I miss the 13:00 train, do you know how late the vans run?
@Janine *****************
. You've no idea how helpful you are right now. So I will plan on catching that 13:00 train. It runs every day, even Saturday/Sundays? I agree the train is way nicer than van and certainly cheaper.If by some crazy chance I miss the 13:00 train, do you know how late the vans run?
Janine ******************
@Anthony *********
yeah. You leave the train go through border. Get both stamps. Go upstairs. Buy the next train ticket and wait about 30minutes or so. Its much better than the van. And much cheaper. The whole train trip with the ferry will cost about 240 baht. Van are between 400 and 800 baht. Vans I dont really like because every place that sell tickets have different times and different prices.Anthony **********
OPand then transfer to another train to Butterworth which leaves every 2 hours. There was no transfer last time I took the train, we got on the same train again. I'm wondering if van is easier now. Do you know the van times as well? Would be a massive help.
Anthony **********
OPok awesome. So there's for sure a 13:00 train to Pedang Besar on Sunday?
Janine ******************
@Anthony *********
I live in Hat Yai so found the information at the train station and I go to Penang every 3 months. There is 1 train that is specific just for hat yai - pedang besar twice a day.Anthony **********
OP(and the night trains are cancelled)
Anthony **********
OPThis website confirms there is only 1 5:50am train
******************************************
Anthony **********
OPFor example, this website says there is 1 train at 5:50am only
*************************************************
Anthony **********
OPJanine! Where did you find this train information? I've been going bonkers trying to look up the Hat Yai Train schedule and I am getting several different conflicting time schedules and cannot figure out which information is accurate!
So basically I need to know 100% what the train schedules are. Are you totally sure that's what the time is? Some websites say there is now only 1 train that leaves at 5:30am! It seems wrong. I don't understand. Can you please share a link?
So basically I need to know 100% what the train schedules are. Are you totally sure that's what the time is? Some websites say there is now only 1 train that leaves at 5:30am! It seems wrong. I don't understand. Can you please share a link?
Robert *******
If you have all the papers needed than it should be no problem to apply at the Thai Consulate in Penang. On going back inside Thailand Immigration officers at the checkpoint can and regular ask for 20.000 Thb in cash before given you the stamp. On your other questions, a travel page would be more handy to give that information.
Anthony **********
OPGot it. Thank you for your help
Robert *******
As you can read on the sign it is a rule set by Immigration, You don't have to like or understand the rules, only follow them up to stay inside Thailand.
Anthony **********
OPI can understand charging tourists cash to make sure they're not gonna freeload but people who are working in the country? It seems CrazY to me
Anthony **********
OPDo teachers need to show 20,000 as well? Or just normal folk
Anthony **********
OPEdited to show** 😅
Robert *******
Not sure what you bought for 10.000 Thb, but it should be a nice item. When you pass Immigration on the southern border you only have to show that you have 20.000 Thb in cash with you. You can spent the money later inside Thailand.
Anthony **********
OPOh I see, non b is different
Anthony **********
OPI feel like I've seen that exact sign in Sadao and I only had to show 10,000
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