A New Border Crossing: Kota Putra - Ban Prakob

The well known border crossings on the Northern part of Malaysia are Bukit Kayu Hitam, Padang Besar and Pengkalan Hulu while the less known are Wang Kelian and Kota Putra.

I have written in my blog about the Wang Kelian - Wang Prachan border crossing earlier, now I am writing about the latest border crossing at Kota Putra - Ban Prakob.

Kota Putra is located near Durian Burung in the state of Kedah. The border crossing was opened in 2010 but only the Malaysian customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) complex was completed while Thailand's CIQ complex were still under construction. Before the completion of Thai CIQ complex in 2013, Thai authorities use the portable container office to conduct the transactions. 

22nd January 2015

1.15pm

I drove from Butterworth to Alor Setar to meet Zally. Parked my car there and hopped into Zally's. We're off to our next 'exploration'.

2.20pm

Zalli and I decided to try the new border crossing at Kota Putra. The route is from Alor Setar - Kuala Nerang - Kota Putra. It took about one hour's drive from Alor Setar to reach the border at Kota Putra.

The road towards Kuala Nerang.

The scenery along the route in Kedah.

Chickadees ...oops! Chicks for sale. Kuala Nerang.

Heading towards Durian Burung / Kota Putra.

The last junction towards the border.

3.30pm

We reached the border crossing. The were only a few cars were seen crossing the border including us. The number of staff on duty at the CIQ complex were more than the people crossing the border.

The entrance to the Malaysian CIQ complex.

After we had settled our passport clearance with the Immigration, we stopped by at the General Operations Police Force's post. We were greeted by them and stepped out of our car for inspection. After they had done with the formal inspection of our car and the documentations, we went to meet the Sergeant in charge. Zally interviewed him with regards to the border crossings and asked whatever questions that came across his mind. They were very friendly and we had a nice chat with them. After we had settled everything, we took some photos with them. 

They were from the 3rd Battalion, General Operations Force, Royal Malaysian Police. They were also known as the Senoi Praaq. Senoi Praaq Battalion consists of mainly 'Orang Asli' (aborigines) from Peninsula Malaysia. Senoi Praaq means 'Orang Perang' or 'Men of War' in the Semai language. They specialize as trackers in the jungle to hunt down communist terrorists during the Malayan Emergency. They are considered as one of the finest jungle fighting forces. After the Malayan Communist Party had laid down their arms in 1989, the Senoi Praaq are stationed at the border crossings.

The guy on the far right uses Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun.

Then we entered the newly completed Thai Immigration complex. The counters to get our passport checked and stamped are located indoor and with air-conditioning. I believe this is the first indoor and air-conditioned Thai Immigration counter at the Malaysian-Thai border.

The passport counter is located indoor with air-conditioned.

Thai Immigration complex

We are the only travelers there at that moment.

There was nobody except us at that time. The Immigration officer asked a lot of questions about us in a nicely manner. I believe he too was bored as there was not much people there. After we had done with our passports, we took some photos with him.

With a Thai Immigration officer.

As a standard procedure, we had to get the vehicle permit to enter Thailand at the Thai Customs counter.

Outside the newly opened Thai CIQ.

Not many people here. Some hawkers selling drinks and snacks.

4.00pm

After we had settled everything, we moved on straight to Songkhla. The distance from Ban Prakob border crossing to Songhkla is 90km, about one and a half hours drive.

The route is from Ban Prakob - Na Thawi - Songhkla.

The road in Ban Prakob

Rubber plantation along the road.

Thai rural areas are no different from Malaysia.

Helmet regulation is not being enforced here.

They are in the midst of widening the road to the border for the convenience of tourists/visitors from their southern neighbours. Tourism is a major contributor towards Thai economy.

Military checkpoint after Na Thawi.

A well maintained classic car.

Thai beauties :)

It is normal in Thailand for passengers to be seated at the back of a pick-up truck while it is against the law to do that in Malaysia due to safety reasons.

No helmets? No problem. Mai bpen rai!

5.30pm

Upon reaching Songhkla, we decided to have our meal at Samila Beach. The food was awesome. I love their Tomyam, not too salty like what we've had at some other outlets.

No, we didn't eat here. It's just the sign that had attracted my attention. This place is located somewhere in Songkhla town. A non-halal restaurant.

The bill was 275Baht. It's cheaper if compared to some seafood restaurants located further up Samila beach.

The aftermath :)

Toyota Yaris. Direct currency conversion price is about RM59,000 but after being imported here (CBU) plus the tax & etc, the price is around RM108,000. "It's ok, the petrol price in Malaysia is cheaper than Thailand." - I've heard this somewhere before but can't quite recall who said it. hehehe

6.30pm

After that we went to take some photos around that area. The sunset at Songkhla was magnificent.

Nag, the serpent. The statue, I mean. hehehe

Some offerings for Nag.

Love the sunset

Sunset at Songkhla.

Royal Thai Navy monument.

Torpedo away!

The local girls are friendly and sporting. Even though we had some difficulties to communicate as they don't speak English, they don't mind taking photos with us. (Sila bersangka baik, ye. hehehe)

A Royal Thai Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) berthing at Songkhla Naval base.

8.00pm

After sundown, we drove back to Malaysia through Hatyai - Sadao - Bukit Kayu Hitam. The time taken from Songkhla to Bukit Kayu Hitam is about one and a half hour.

9.30pm

We reached Dannok and had our dinner there before crossing into Bukit Kayu Hitam.

11.30pm 

Zally dropped me off at Alor Setar, I took my car and drove back to Butterworth.

12.30am

Home sweet home.

From Butterworth to Songkhla and back in less than 12 hours. Kinda hard to believe, eh? hehehe

It was a brief but fruitful journey. We just love travelling to see and discover the places that we haven't been before. As the Malay saying, "Jauh berjalan, luas pemandangan" i.e. the further you travel, the wider is your view.

So, where's our next destination?

Phatthalung, perhaps 

...or beyond. hehehe

Cheers!