2024 Borders of Thailand 4x4 Trip

"The road is there, it will always be there You just have to decide when to take it..." - Chris Humphrey

(4×4 Trip - a complete circle)

We are embarking on a 4x4 trip exploring the borders of Thailand with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

This long road trip can be an adventure of discovery, relaxation, and sometimes a bit of spontaneity! We're going to drive along the borders of Thailand, exploring new towns and scenic routes to make our journey more enjoyable. We have map out the major destinations and breaks, but leave room for detours or unexpected stops to explore interesting spots along the way. While we are on the road, we will try to visit as many mosques and halal eateries and will be documenting them as reference for other fellow travellers.

We are not in a hurry! It’s worth taking the time to enjoy the views on the open road, and embrace the freedom of a free and easy travel.

Our tentative 4x4 trip itinerary:

(10 Nov - 02 Dec 2024)

Day 01: KL - Hatyai
Day 02: Hat Yai - Tha Sae
Day 03: Tha Sae - Samut Sakhon
Day 04: Samut Sakhon - Trat

Day 05: Trat - Aranyaprathet
Day 06: Aranyanprathet - Surin
Day 07: Surin - Chong Mek
Day 08: Chong Mek - Mukdahan
Day 09: Mukdahan - Nong Khai
Day 10: Nong Khai - Uttaradit
Day 11: Uttaradit - Chiang Khong
Day 12: Chiang Khong - Mae Sai
Day 13: Mae Sai - Chiang Mai
Day 14: Chiang Mai - Pai
Day 15: Pai - Mae Hong Son
Day 16: Mae Hong Son - Mae Sot
Day 17: Mae Sot - Kanchanaburi
Day 18: Kanchanaburi
Day 19: Kanchanaburi - Cha-am
Day 20: Cha-am - Chumphon
Day 21: Chumphon
Day 22: Chumphon - Kuala Lumpur

Thailand Borders 01: Hatyai

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart..." - Helen Keller

(Sunset view from the Hatyai Golden Crown Hotel)

Day 01: Sunday, 10 Nov 2024

Route: Kuala Lumpur - Hat Yai
Distance: 527 km (6:17)
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel, Hat Yai

By 8.00 am we started from Bidara house then to Restoran D'maju for breakfast. We drove with care as there was intermittent light showers along PLUS highway north bound. We did not stop at Petronas Simpang Pulai as it was undergoing major renovation. Normally we would stop here for refueling but this morning we drove further north and refueled at Petronas Sg. Perak.

(Heavy breakfast to start the journey)

(Less traffic in morning on PLUS Highway)

We had Nasi Goreng and Mee Goreng Udang for lunch at Ida Mee Udang Sg Dua. There were already a bus load of ladies having lunch there even though we were quite early. Around 2.30 pm we stopped for prayers and toilet break at Hentian Tol Hutan Kampung.

(One of our favorite stops)

(Nasi goreng udang, quite tasty)

(The mee goreng udang is also a must try)

(Prayer break at Hentian Toll Hutan Kampung)

(A light shower in Jitra)

(A full tank before entering Thailand)

By 4.45 pm we completed immigration and custom checks at Bukit Kayu Hitam/Sadao border. It was less crowded than usual but the queue was a little sluggish. We paid B30 fee for two.

(Malaysian Border Check-point at Bukit Kayu Hitam)

(Malaysian vehicles queue at Thailand Border Check-point)

(Entering Thailand on a bright day)

(After office traffic jam in Central Hatyai)

Checked in at Hatyai Golden Crown Hotel at Rm103/night which we earlier booked online. Walked to Lee Garden Night Market to change some Aud to Baht then had an hour of relaxing foot massage at Sawasdee.

(Nasi lemak dinner at Lee Gardens night market)

(More than sufficient for the road trip)

Had nasi lemak dinner at the night market. There was quite a crowd of Malaysian tourists around the Lee Garden Night Market even though it was not even the weekend. Bought one Thai sim card to be used during our trip.

(Hatyai Golden Crown Hotel)

(Our usual room in this hotel)

Thailand Borders 02: Tha Sae

"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light... - Aristotle

(Pok Dogol at Khun Sarai Cafe)

Day 02: Monday, 11 Nov 2024
Route: Hat Yai - Tha Sae
Distance: 487 km (6:46)
Hotel: Jumbo House, Tha Sae

Breakfast with nasi dagang and roti canai at Khalid Restaurant. By 7.00 am we checked out and drove north bound towards Chumphon.

(Restoran Khalid next to the Golden Crown Hotel) 

Had a brief photo stop at Route 41. Met a couple of Malay bikers having their breakfast at the halal eatery. We noticed that there were no new designs t-shirts at the souvenir shop, so we did not buy any from there.

(Cowboy Town Route 41 rest area)

(The Lucky Gate at Route 41, Phatthalung)

By 11.00 am we were already in Thung Son for an early lunch. There is only one halal eatery left at the PTT R&R. There used to be three in the older days. Tried to look for the Esso surau along the way but unable to locate the petrol station as Bangchak is now the new name for Esso. We must have missed the placed because of the change in signage.

(Nasi lauk lunch at Pak Ju Halal Food)

(Driving on Highway 41 on a cloudy day)

(Passing through Surat Thani province)

(Refueling at a Lang Suan PTT petrol station)

Around 4.30 pm stopped for prayer break and early dinner of nasi telur, soup and ulam2 at Khun Sarai R&R.

(By passing Chumphon town)

(Early dinner at Khun Sarai R&R)

(Many halal stalls and two prayer rooms)

Drove to Tha Sae PTT R&R, located about 20 km from Khun Sarai and checked in Jumbo House at RM70/night.

(A busy night at Tha Sae R&R) 

(Jumbo House is located at the back row)

(Our lodging for the night)

Thailand Borders 03: Samut Sakhon

“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not...” – Oscar Wilde

(A choo-choo train in Cha-am)

Day 03: Tuesday, 12 Nov 2024
Route: Tha Sae - Samut Sakhon
Distance: 413 km (5:38)
Hotel: Grand Inter Hotel, Samut Sakhon

Breakfast was half boiled eggs and bread in the room. By 7.30 am we checked out and drove north towards Samut Sakhon. Stopped to take pictures at Kuil Huai Luek - the Big Yellow Bird of Thap Sakae. The weather was clear and bright for a leisure drive.

(Checking out early in the morning)

(Ready to drive to Samut Sakhon)

(The Big Yellow Bird of Thap Sakae)

(Looking out for road signages)

(Collecting coupons at 7-eleven)

We had nasi lauk lunch at Restoran Abang Mana in Cha-am and performed our prayers at the surau located in the PTT R&R area.

(The rest area at PTT, Cha-am)

(Many halal restaurants at the food court)

(Having lunch at Restoran Abang Mana)

(Performed our jamak prayers at the surau)

Drove direct to Samut Sakhon with a few comfort stops in between. Samut Sakhon is located along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and is part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region.

(A temple along the route to Bangkok)

(Taking the route to southern Bangkok)

(A new highway is under construction)

(The heavy traffic heading to Bangkok)

(The junction to Samut Sakhon)

In Samut Sakhon we visited Masjid Noor Ullah. It is located along the Ekkachai Road. It is a nice mosque in a residential area about 500 m off the main road. The mosque can easily accommodate a few hundred worshippers. We performed solat sunat there.

(A detour to Masjid Noor Ullah)

(The beautiful mosque of Samut Sakhon) 

(The spacious main prayer hall)

(Performed two rakaat of solat sunat)

By 4.15 pm we checked in Samut Sakhon Grand Inter Hotel at Rm96/night. Our hotel room was at the new wing and very spacious. There was ample parking space. As we were quite full, we shared a bowl of meehun soup for dinner.

(Crossing Tha Chin Klong River, a distributary of the Chao Phraya River)

(The Grand Inter Hotel, Samut Sakhon)

(A spacious, comfortable room)

(And a good night sleep)