Kota Bharu - Page 2 - Ajarn Forum

Bubba · 14th April 2008, 02:17

Theres a couple of real old 'the sun never sets on the British Empire' type ex-military, waxed moustache type expats knocking around KB. Once you get past their weirdness they're good for a couple of beers and a chat.

Cyrille · 14th April 2008, 02:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by upagumtree

Will report back.

Yeah, let us know how you get on.

jonny danger · 14th April 2008, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by aging one

I will always prefer the atmosphere of Penang. Seems much more civilized and British than Kota Baru.

Me too. Penang is a kool place once you know the score. KB seems like a latent murder capital. Although alot of people say the consulate is an easy one, it isn't as easy as hiring an agent in Penang. Those agents are connected. You just might need a connection if all your stuff isn't in order.

I've heard bad reports about KB too. They seem to be inconsistant, moody if you will.

upagumtree · 14th April 2008, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

Me too. Penang is a kool place once you know the score. KB seems like a latent murder capital. Although alot of people say the consulate is an easy one, it isn't as easy as hiring an agent in Penang. Those agents are connected. You just might need a connection if all your stuff isn't in order.

I've heard bad reports about KB too. They seem to be inconsistant, moody if you will.

Penang said they won't give me another visa, so talked to my contacts in Penang (seriously connected folk) and they said KB. No hassle, no grief. We'll see - leaving on Sunday.

grasshopper · 14th April 2008, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonny danger

Me too. Penang is a kool place once you know the score. KB seems like a latent murder capital. Although alot of people say the consulate is an easy one, it isn't as easy as hiring an agent in Penang. Those agents are connected. You just might need a connection if all your stuff isn't in order.

I've heard bad reports about KB too. They seem to be inconsistant, moody if you will.

never struck me as moody - did meet guys in prison tho', fake visas - guess ow they got them? Agents in Penang!!

upagumtree · 23rd April 2008, 09:52

UPDATE: The good news and not so good news!
Just got back from a successful visa run. The Consulate there is easy to find and staffed by charming and very helpful young ladies. Turnaround was 24 hours which brings me to the other news!
As you enter KB there's a sign to the effect that it is the major Islamic centre for Malaysia. Never a true word ...! The city is dull, featureless and characterless. There is nothing to do. No bars, no beer anywhere, can't get around easily (I had to take a taxi to go buy a packet of fags!) The people though are very nice once they get over the shock of coming face-to-face with an infidel. A winning smile breaks the ice.
The upshot is, if you need to go, get your timing right to minimise the time there, and take something to keep you occupied.
Rather that give chapter and verse, PM me if you need to go and I'll pass on what I've learned.

russellsimpson · 23rd April 2008, 12:06

Quote:

Penang said they won't give me another visa, so talked to my contacts in Penang (seriously connected folk) and they said KB. No hassle, no grief. We'll see - leaving on Sunday.

Definitely Penang seems to be tightening up. They are now red stamping two month visas with a stamp saying "not to apply here again'.

Being down south I run across quite a few folks who are aware of this and are now using Kota Baru because they don't want that warning in the passport. Kota Baru may be less fun but I think if there's any doubt about the visa better then Kota Baru is the safer option.

jonny danger · 23rd April 2008, 13:21

I've heard that but they haven't done mine yet. I have four of their 60-day visas.

upagumtree · 23rd April 2008, 13:48

I got one of Penangs nasty "don't ever come back here" stamps and I only had two visas! No rhyme or reason to it. I appealed and was turned down. Flat!
KB my only option and it worked. The young lady behind the counter pointed to the stamp and raised an eyebrow. I just smiled, she smiled and passed my application without further comment. So JD, when and if you get one of Penang's jingoistic stamps, KB is the answer.

russellsimpson · 23rd April 2008, 16:57

Quote:

I've heard that but they haven't done mine yet. I have four of their 60-day visas.

K.B for you then jonny.

Quote:

I got one of Penangs nasty "don't ever come back here" stamps and I only had two visas!

I'm being told that some folks are getting that nasty stamp on the first entry. Hard to believe I know but I've heard it from three sources in the last couple of days. It seems some folks get the stamp and some don't and their circumstances are exactly the same.

One of the folks I talked to managed to speak pretty good Thai and got out of the immigration officer that "Bangkok told us we were giving out too many stamps"

So who the hell knows.

kenkannif · 23rd April 2008, 17:04

^ Mate....always kind of been like this....KB used to be the place to go 7 years or so ago....then it got strict and Penang was the place...now that's strict etc. Repeat until you go insane

Same with Vientienne and Savankette.....as one door closes, another opens

Cyrille · 23rd April 2008, 17:31

Good info, chaps!

toong tao daeng · 23rd April 2008, 17:45

How long is the drive from hat yai to kota bharu?
-----
KM and hours. Thanks.

upagumtree · 23rd April 2008, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by toong tao daeng

How long is the drive from hat yai to kota bharu?
-----
KM and hours. Thanks.

Dunno how far it is from Hatters to Sungai Golok at the border but it takes 3.5 hours by van. Exit Thailand, enter Malaysia and KB is about 35k up the road. Plenty of taxis.

russellsimpson · 23rd April 2008, 20:58

Sounds about right. 100 kilos from Hatters to Pattani. Nother hundred to Narathawit. Another 100 to the border. Easy three hour drive.You'll run into a few roadblocks, in fact quite a few, which will slow you if the traffic's heavy. Easy drive otherwise.