I almost walk 5.6 KM to cross from Malaysia to Thailand, but something memorable happened!

Padang Besar Malaysia – Thailand Border Crossing Experience

Before you start reading, there's one thing I want to alert you about. 

This is a personal experience of me crossing the Malaysia-Thailand border. I may express a lot of personal thoughts and beliefs, which we can agree to disagree with. 

My reason for writing this is to share my real feelings and experiences on this journey.

Just like a regular train commute, here I reached the last station – Padang Besar. Time to get off!

At the Padang Besar station, then what?

There were a lot of people that day, and everyone seems to know where to go. As it was my first time, my initial thought is to find where the exit is.

Before this trip, I learned that there was a bridge to cross to get to the Malaysian Immigration Office. I’ve researched about it – but the latest one I found was from 3 months ago when it was still closed.

At that moment, I was hoping that the bridge is already open, so I was looking for a sign to point me to where to go.

The Padang Besar station is packed and I just followed where the people were going.

My thought was, why is there no clear direction where to go or maybe was it just me not really knowing what to do?

Later I found myself outside the KTM Padang Besar Station where many people are standing, and they seemed to be waiting for someone to pick them up.

I know I have to properly pass through immigration so I can travel without any problems later on. That made me think to walk back inside the train station and probably ask someone in uniform.

When I got back inside, I finally found the crossing bridge I was talking about, but sadly it was still closed. There was no specific instruction or post about why the bridge is closed, but it can be seen from there how close the other side where the immigration is if I were to cross that bridge.

It’s probably less than 10 minute’s walk (I can’t find any information on how long this bridge is, but I can only estimate the distance by using time measurement)

I eventually got some help here – was advised to take a taxi because walking to the Malaysian immigration will take a long route instead of less than a 10-minute walk (to an hour walk – it is almost 5km long).

I can manage walking this distance. I’m glad I still can if I wanted to, but can you imagine walking this much at past noon?

I was also told that I have to pay something when exiting the Malaysian border. As I thought I was all set here, I started observing how I can get a taxi as there were many people also waiting for the same.

I see arriving taxis but people were already on the tail even before these cabs can drop off their passengers.

There were some people who probably have successfully hailed a Grab or AirAsia ride, or were just lucky to have someone to pick them up in a private car.

I tried hailing a Grab ride but I couldn’t get any after several attempts. Then I tried an AirAsia ride next and added an extra tip just to be able to get a ride, but as you can imagine, the demand was high. No successful booking happened.

There’s nothing much to do than wait and hope that there will be more taxis to arrive, so I can get myself a ride.

I still have a lot of time before my next train to take, as it will leave at 17:00 Thailand Time (which is 18:00 Malaysian Time).

It’s been almost an hour since arriving at this station, and despite having so many cars, vans, and even scooters picking up people, the number of people does not seem to get any lesser.

There were still many people standing outside the KTM Padang Besar station. They were just waiting just like me.

I decided to try my luck to get a taxi again by approaching some drivers, sadly communicating was a little difficult here. I can only speak in English, and most of them will respond in the local language.

In some instances, some will just drive ahead. I can only think of that as a refusal of the ride.

I thought I should just start walking.

If I begin moving even at a slow pace, I’ll get there with enough time.

Though I’m not rushing, I also knew that I had to pass two (2) immigration offices. The first is from exiting Malaysia and the second is to enter Thailand.

There may be long queues there, and of course, I have to catch the train.

It got me worried about getting exhausted so much as it was really hot that day. I’m also carrying a backpack and a picnic bag.

But then, this beautiful sunny weather is great for traveling.

I started walking. At the back of my mind, I think someone may offer a ride if they see me walking in the same direction. (I believe in humanity and I have had so many lovely experiences like this in my life).

While walking, my mind is just thinking of what is waiting for me in Thailand. I just look forward to what this trip is going to teach me.

I just thought, “when else could I ever walk this path again? I’m here for a new experience, so why not?“

*a little insert to get to know me* ahem 

I always travel in a budget. Though I definitely would love to, but with my financial capacity and my wallet health, I would take the cheapest accommodation and transportation possible. So walking from time to time is not a biggie.

Just about 5 minutes into this leisure walk, a car going in the opposite direction stopped and offered a ride. My mind went “Whoa! Thank God!“

This moment is very special for me. I thought that this only proves God moves in a splendid way a human like me didn’t even think of.

I was only thinking that someone going in the same direction would perhaps offer a ride if they have a vacant seat, but this was different. It was a car driving in the opposite direction.

I told this friendly car driver that I was going to the Malaysian Immigration but I couldn’t get a taxi ride. I’m so thankful that he offered a lift.

As we were driving to the Malaysian Immigration Office (Padang Besar Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex), I was looking out the window where I watch the sun glowing brightly.

Not long, we reached the roundabout. I was dropped off there and I was pointed to walk towards the Malaysian Immigration Office.

I just assumed that must be the maximum point where Malaysian cars can drive – I’m not sure and I really don’t mind. That was a short walk to the Malaysian Immigration Office anyway.

When I get inside the Immigration Office, the Officer checked my passport and ask some clarifying questions about my job in Malaysia. That was it, then the stamp is done.

Now I’m off to the Thailand Immigration Office (Padang Besar Immigration Checkpoint). I’m honestly not sure if you can take a car to take you there.

I didn’t even ask around since I just relied on the map and I saw that walking is doable.

The thing is, why did I choose to wear black then? There was like an oven out there! haha

I've seen some amusing videos where people are jumping between different countries, and I really want to create one for this trip but mine failed so bad. T_T

This photo of me entering Thailand could perhaps compensate a bit? hehe

It took about 20 minutes when I finally reached the Thailand Immigration Office. I went inside and lined up. I saw the people who are lining up have some sort of paper and I do not have that.

There was no clear sign on what to do actually. For some reason, I was kind of shy to ask those who were already lining up. I moved away from the line and went outside.

That’s when I found where those people are getting those small pieces of paper that they were holding. I was guided to where to go next and got my passport stamped for entry.

I paid 2 MYR for the assistance – this must be what I was told at the KTM Station beforehand.

[Now that I’m writing this blog, I realized I may have avoided paying for that assistance. I mean, I could have just lined up and probably gotten my passport stamped too. Since I got an expectation that there was something I have to pay for when I pass through Immigration, so I didn’t mind about it at that moment. Honestly, it wasn’t a big deal. It was just part of my journey to cross the Malaysia and Thailand border.]

As I’m a Philippine passport holder, I was able to take advantage of the Visa Exemption Program for entering Thailand.

At this point, I can’t believe that I just crossed another country by walking. It’s a unique experience for someone like me who came from an archipelago country.

I’m finally in the land of smiles – Thailand! Yay!

ALSO READ: Overnight Train to Hua Hin from the South- Insane Experience!