Hat Yai Travel Forum

I will going to visit Hatyai at end of Oct 08. Since this is my first trip to Hatyai, I had several questions. Can I use the border-pass instead of passport since I borned in Perak. I check in the internet from Immigration department, that I can used the border-pass if dont have passport.

Secondly, I travel there by bus. Is the bus just stop at the border town and drop us at the travel agency office ? So we on our own, from the Sadao immigration check-point, we have to take taxi or bus to Hatyai ?

Answer for ur Q 2,usually bus stop at Hatyai town,that is around 45 min.drive from the border town known as Danok.

I had been browing the hotels to stay at Hatyai. So offer cheap and reasonable price per night. New Season Hotel, which is my first choice among hotels there. This hotel near the shopping district, foods and etc ? How about the distance ? Any commend for this hotel ?

How about Sakura Grand View, Lee Garden Plaza and BP Grand Tower ?

The bus usually drops you at a travel agent office in central Hat Yai. I've seen people (my friends) using border passes at Hat Yai, so it shouldn't be a problem. But bring your passport along in case they don't accept border passes.

Lee Garden Plaza is centrally located and convenient. So's Central, Grand Sakura, and Regency. Basically, go to the travel agent office almost right opposite Central, ask them to recommend and buy a voucher there, much cheaper than booking online or walk in rates. That's one peculiar thing about Hat Yai. Travel agencies gets you better rates.

Hi Loh,

Thanks for your infos. Here again, my passport expired. So I thinking use the border-pass instead. It is necessary to bring passport for just in case ? Malaysia side or Thailand side may not accept the border-pass ?

I had browsed throught the net for the hotels in Hatyai to get the best rate. My current choice is New Season Hotel. I seen some bad comment on Regency Hotel. Is it better get the discount coupon at the travel agent instead booked online ? Do the discount coupon applicable to all hotels around the town ?

Bad News!! I just checked with my Perak friend who frequents Haadyai. Border passes can be used to access places of border towns. In the past for Haadyai it's possible to use border pass. Recently a new rule states that you cannot access places beyond 25km radius from the M'sian border.

Therefore Haadyai is out of the question. You probably still may use border pass to access Danok, but in Haadyai, you're technically committing an offense. Plus, going by bus, the bus company process everyone's immigration form, they'd unload you when they discover you don't have passport.

I don't know about New Season or it's location. Lee Plaza is a GREAT location right in center. Anyway, buy your hotel vouchers from travel agents (whichever hotel you choose), it'd be cheaper than walk in or online.

Enjoy!!

Dear Loh,

Technically, it is bad news since cannot use the border-pass. Anyway, I going to use the passport to visit there.

Is it safe not booking in advance ? Would I able to get room when arrive only, then check-in the hotel of my prefer choice ? You recommend me, get the discount voucher at the travel agent office when arrive. How much it cost you per night at Lee Garden Plaza if u using the discount voucher ?

Since it's end of Oct, which is not a super peak like post Christmas-before New Year thing.... I am absolutely positive that you'd get a better price at whichever hotel you choose, from a travel agent, by buying vouchers.

This is done by agent calling and booking.

Do a general price check online, make sure agent charge you cheaper than online or walk in... simple.

Long time back, I stayed in Lee Garden Plaza for around THB1000, which is roughly RM100. Huge big clean room on a high floor. B'fast sucks though.