2025 Kembara Ramadhan Malaysia/Thailand

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined..." - Henry David Thoreau

(2025 Kembara Ramadhan routing)

For this year Kembara Ramadhan, we spent the middle 10 nights of Ramadhan in Malaysian and Thailand mosques. We entered Thailand via Sungai Golok and visited mosques in the southernmost provinces of Thailand. We joined the locals for iftar and performed sola tarawih in the main mosques of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Trang and Satun where the majority of Thailand's Muslims lived.

We also visited other mosques along our routes. There are more than 4,000 mosques in Thailand and the Southern region has roughly 85% of the total mosques. Pattani Province has the biggest number of mosques, followed by Narathiwat Province, Yala Province and Satun Province.

There are also significant minority of Muslims in other southern provinces such as Songkhla, Trang, Phatthalung, Krabi and Phuket.

2025 Kembara Ramadhan itinerary:

(10 - 19 March, 2025)

Day 01: Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu

Day 02: Kota Bharu - Narathiwat

Day 03: Narathiwat - Yala

Day 04: Yala - Pattani

Day 05: Pattani - Hatyai

Day 06: Hatyai - Trang

Day 07: Trang - Satun

Day 08: Satun - Alor Setar

Day 09: Alor Setar- Ipoh

Day 10: Ipoh - Kuala Lumpur

Next Road Trip: Route 12 Thailand in April 2025

KR 01: Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu👉

2025 Kembara Ramadhan Day 01: Kota Bharu, Kelantan

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up..." - Thomas A. Edison

(Masjid Andalusia Imanul Faizin, Kelantan)

Day 01: Monday, 10 Mar 2025
Route: Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu
Distance: 580 km
Hotel: Tanjong Inn, Kota Bharu

By 8.00 am we started from our Bidara House and drove leisurely on the LPT1. A brief comfort stop at R&R Maran then drove on the LPT2 and exited the highway at Toll Plaza Kuala Terengganu. 

(The start of our 10-day trip)

(A cool cloudy morning)

Drove on the KT - KB federal road and stopped in Jerteh to perform solat jamak Zohor/Asar at Masjid As-solihin Jerteh. When I was young, our family used to visit Makcik Jah and Tok Ghani's house which was located at the back of this mosque.

(Stopped for jamak prayers in Jerteh)

(Masjid As-Solihin Jerteh, Terengganu)

(The main prayer hall)

(The Terengganu/Kelantan boundary)

Arrived in KB around 4.30 pm and checked-in Tanjung Inn for RM120/night. Showered and got ready to drive to Masjid Imanul Faizin in Kampung Padang Kala for a date with my old gang. 

(Tanjung Inn, Kota Bharu)

(Spacious and clean room)

We had iftar and solat terawih with the Big 5 gang, Ubai, Kid, Bee, Ani and Yati. We had iftar under the shade instead of in the mosque compound as it was raining heavily earlier. Every year Masjid Andalusia catered for more than 500 pax for iftar.

(Masjid Imanul Faizin in Kg Padang Kala)

(Also known as Masjid Andalusia)

(Beautifully light up entrance}

(Iftar with my childhood friends)

(Mouth watering dishes for iftar)

Masjid Imanul Faizin is also known as the Andalusia Mosque, was built in 2020. It looks like a mosque built in Arab or Turkiye, which is mainly characterized by its majestic gate, as well as more than 100 large and small white domes that highlight its uniqueness and beauty. Built at a cost of RM17 million, this mosque is inspired by the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

(The two of us in KB)

(My best of friends since primary school)

(Good bye for now, till next time...)

Performed solat tarawih 8 rakaat and witir. After some photo taking, we bade goodbye to my childhood friends and split ways. We will be seeing them again in May at Ubai son's wedding in KB, insyaAllah.

(The last few to leaving the mosque)

(Having moreh at Anjung Selera Tomyam)

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Restoran Anjung Selera Tomyam along Jalan Long Yunus, for a packed nasi goreng seafood. Had colek and iced tea while waiting.

Slept soundly around midnight.

👈2025 Kembara Ramadhan Malaysia/Thailand

      KR Day 02: Kota Bharu - Narathiwat👉

2025 Kembara Ramadhan Day 02: Narathiwat, Thailand

 “If life were predictable, it would cease to be life and be without flavor...” – Eleanor Roosevelt

(Narathiwat Central Mosque, Thailand)

Day 02: Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Route: Kota Bharu - Narathiwat
Distance: 80 km
Hotel: Imperial Narathiwat Hotel

We had sahur of nasi goreng and sambal bilis.

This morning we drove to Istana Besar, Kota Bharu and parked our bigfoot at Dataran Rehal. The square is a captivating historical landmark located next to the Istana Besar. This serene square serves as a focal point for local cultural activities. As a historical landmark, Dataran Rehal is an excellent introduction to the cultural tapestry of Kota Bharu. This square is often used for public events, festivities, and gatherings, providing tourists with a glimpse into the daily life and traditions of the locals. 

(Ample parking space near the old palace)

(Dataran Rehal next to Istana Besar)

From the square, we walked to Masjid Muhammadi for our subuh prayers. Masjid Muhammadi is the state mosque for Kelantan Darul Naim. This mosque was originally a wooden mosque located on the banks of the Budor River, Seberang Paloh, before being moved here due to the threat of frequent floods. It is believed to have existed since the reign of Sultan Muhammad II who ruled Kelantan from 1837 to 1886. There is also the belief that this mosque was built even earlier, namely during the reign of Sultan Muhammad I between 1801 and 1837. It is clearly steeped in history. The renovations and additions to the Mosque building have been carried out several times. At present the mosque can accommodate about 2,400 worshippers. During the month of Ramadhan the mosque prepared 2000 packed iftar food for the public. The festive atmosphere of iftar in the compound of the Muhammadi Mosque is an attraction sight for tourists and locals.

(Masjid Muhammadi Kota Bharu)

(The spacious main prayer hall)

(A brief history of Masjid Muhammadi)

Checked out of Tanjung Inn at 8.30 am. Drove to Kampung Laut Cultural Heritage in Tumpat where the oldest mosque, Masjid Kampung Laut is located. With its long history dating back to the 18th century, this mosque is a popular destination for tourists and Islamic history lovers. 

(Entering Tumpat District)

(A new elevated highway to Tumpat)

The Kampung Laut Mosque was built around the 18th century, believed to have been built by Islamic missionaries who traveled through the area on a preaching mission. The construction of this mosque is said to have been carried out by a group of missionaries from Champa, who brought with them prototype plans for building the mosque. 

(Visiting the oldest mosque in Malaysia)

(Kampung Laut Cultural Heritage Complex)

(The history and description of the mosque)

The uniqueness of the Kampung Laut Mosque lies in its construction technique. This mosque was built without using any nails, instead using traditional techniques where all parts of the mosque are tied together with wooden pegs and mortars. 

(The exterior view)

(The interior view)

(The unique minaret and the old geduk)

The mosque has survived two big floods that occurred in Kelantan, the first in 1926, with the flood known as Bah Air Merah, and the other in 1966. The second flood severely damaged the mosque when parts of the mosque close to the river were swept away by flood waters. In 1967, it was moved to Nilam Puri due to a major flood that destroyed it. 

(Laman Warisan Seni Kampung Laut)

(The jetty - Boat services to cross the river)

The mosque was repaired subsequently without changing its original shape. It's now relocated back to its original site in Kampung Laut, Tumpat on the banks of the Kelantan River. After Dhuha prayers, we took some photo shots of the historical mosque complex.

(The two of us in Kampung Laut, Kelantan)

Drove towards Rantau Panjang via Meranti small rural road. Some stretches were damaged during the recent flood. 

(Following the detour signages)

(Collapsed bridge needs major repair)

In Rantau Panjang we detoured to Masjid China Jubli Perak Sultan Ismail Petra also known as Masjid Beijing. The architecture of this mosque is unique because it combines Chinese and Islamic architecture. The Chinese-style mosque resembles the 1,000-year-old Niujie Mosque in Beijing, China. The mosque can accommodate 1,000 worshipers at one time. 

(Masjid Beijing, Rantau Panjang)

(The main payer hall)

We refueled full tank at Petronas and changed some Ringgit to Baht at a money changer in Rantau Panjang before we entered the Thailand/Malaysia border at Rantau Panjang/Sungai Golok. The border process was smooth and efficient. Because of the recent shooting and bombing incidence, the border crossing looked deserted. This morning, we were the only Malaysian crossing the border!

(The Immigration Complex in Rantau Panjang)

(No other Malaysian vehicles crossing the border)

(Crossing the Sungai Kolok into Thailand)

In Sungai Golok town, bought a Thailand sim card and some provisions from the 7-eleven. Without the hustle bustle of Malaysian tourists, the town looked forlorn and abandoned. The shooting and bombing incidents which happened two days ago, killed two police volunteers and injured many bystanders. The Malaysian Government had issued a security alert for those travelling to Southern Thailand.

(Completed immigration and custom documentations)

(Sungai Golok Boundary Post)

(Sungai Golok Custom House)

(Street Arts in Sungai Golok)

Drove direct to Narathiwat. The journey was smooth and we passed the many check points without hassle. Arrived safely in Narathiwat around 12.30 pm and checked in Imperial Narathiwat Hotel for RM80/night. Rested well in the afternoon.

(The Imperial Narathiwat Hotel)

(The hotel reception area)

(The cosy spacious room)

By 5.30 pm we were already at Narathiwat Central Mosque, a short driving distance from our hotel. The mosque is uniquely design with a futuristic arabesque multistory design. I joined the local ladies to break fast and Maghrib prayers. The men had their iftar separately under the tent. The last time we were here was in 2019 in the month of Ramadhan too. Although the tarawih prayers were only eight rakaat, the Imam completed one juzuk for each night. A challenge to the weak knees of elderlies like us. The prayer halls were fully air-conditioned for the comfort of the jemaah. Handed over a small contribution to Hajjah Yah who managed an orphanage in her village.

(We were early for iftar)

(Breaking of fast under the tent for the men)

(A sumptuous iftar dishes)

(The spacious Muslimah prayer hall on the lower floor)

Before we drove back to the hotel, we had roti pisang and Thai iced tea for moreh at the Deana & Deeny Cafe located in front of the mosque. Packed nasi, tomyam and omelette for sahur later.

(Having moreh in front of the mosque)

(One of the many halal restaurants near the mosque)

(My favorite banana pancakes topped with condensed milk)

👈KR 01: Kuala Lumpur - Kota Bharu

        KR03: Narathiwat - Yala👉