Kota Bharu - Page 3 - Ajarn Forum

toong tao daeng · 23rd April 2008, 21:13

Thanks for the info upagumtree (including the PM), and russellsimpson.

I just mentioned to my wife that I'm thinking of driving down to KB for the visa, and she thinks I'm crazy. Any thoughts on the risk factor...as in getting shot at?

Also, I'll be able to legally drive my car in Malaysia, right? Do I need any special docs?

upagumtree · 23rd April 2008, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

You'll run into a few roadblocks, in fact quite a few, which will slow you if the traffic's heavy.

I lost count at 12. Some of them unmanned but others heavily armed with sandbagged revetments, APCs and the odd armoured car thrown in. You have to feel sorry for these young conscripts, sweating cobs in full body armour, Poor lads.
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Quote:

Originally Posted by toong tao daeng

Thanks for the info upagumtree (including the PM), and russellsimpson.

I just mentioned to my wife that I'm thinking of driving down to KB for the visa, and she thinks I'm crazy. Any thoughts on the risk factor...as in getting shot at?

Also, I'll be able to legally drive my car in Malaysia, right? Do I need any special docs?

You'll certainly need docs. Get some advice on that one. Insurance is vital. There are police roadblocks on the way to KB.
Getting shot at - nah, Very unlikely IMHO. Don't piss the Thai Army off though they could waste you and no one would raise an eyebrow!

hodd · 24th April 2008, 03:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by upagumtree

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!)

Sounds about right. Chinese restaurants (I´ve seen two in KB!) sell beers, drink in or take away.

upagumtree · 24th April 2008, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodd

Sounds about right. Chinese restaurants (I´ve seen two in KB!) sell beers, drink in or take away.

Didn't spot any Chinese restaurants but then it was too hot to strut around too much. Good info though for the next time I'm down there. Thanks

grasshopper · 29th April 2008, 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by upagumtree

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.

sa-trange - last time I was there was 3 years ago and, as in the other 3 or 4 times, there are at least two bars on the main drag where you can drink beer - one is small and usually occupied for some reason by muscular German birds - best avoided - but on the corner is a big place, Malay guy Thai wife, nice food, TV, beer

as for the rest I finded them friendly
fags weren't a problem
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nice nosh on the market toooo
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(long as you don't mind someone buggering off and praying halfway thru serving you)

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you still in that nice flat gummers?

upagumtree · 29th April 2008, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasshopper

You still in that nice flat gummers?

Yup.
Where is the 'main drag' in KB - it all seemed the same? Can't be near the Consulate ços I walked 30mins down that main road and saw SFA. Going back in a couple of months or so for me marriage visa!!!

russellsimpson · 29th April 2008, 11:29

Quote:

You'll certainly need docs. Get some advice on that one. Insurance is vital. There are police roadblocks on the way to KB.
Getting shot at - nah, Very unlikely IMHO. Don't piss the Thai Army off though they could waste you and no one would raise an eyebrow!

I agree with that. Very little chance of getting shot. Baisically they just want to peep through your window and see if there are any obvious bombs on the floorboard. Being farang I always just get waved through. Never been asked for anything.

It should be a breeze.

grasshopper · 1st May 2008, 04:04

the main drag has a couple of backpack hotels and one or two better ones including the Sabrina where I stayed last time - has what looks like a very long bandstand at one end where all the locals sit, then the marketplace opposite - at least it was

going the opposite direction I think you walk down it and veer off left towards the Consulate near that funny-shaped hotel - 20-30 min stroll if I remember rightly

I'd drive down there quite happily - if anything I'd say the minivans are riskier and I'd still use them

despite what the media says it's hardly no-man's land at Passchendaele

upagumtree · 1st May 2008, 06:55

best I google a map and take it from there. Last time, I askrd the taxi driver for the Sabrina Hotel, as per yr suggestions grassy, and he just looked blank. Oh well, got a couple of months.

grasshopper · 3rd May 2008, 04:57

think I got the name right - Sabina, Sabrina - anyway there's a few hotels there - you'll be orl roight bor

russellsimpson · 3rd May 2008, 11:19

Another one that get good reviews is the Ideal Traveller's Guesthouse. About a fifteen to twenty minute walk from the consulate. Clean and inexpensive.

And if the taxi drivers say they don't know where it is, change cabbies.

grasshopper · 3rd May 2008, 17:03

or there's the big funny-shaped one - don't know how much it is - looks weird enough to be ok tho' - Chinese I think

toong tao daeng · 4th May 2008, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasshopper

Sabrina

Quote:

Originally Posted by russellsimpson

Ideal Traveller's Guesthouse

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasshopper

the big funny-shaped one

Do any of these places have secure parking? And do you think reservations are required at this time of year?

BTW, I'm planning on doing a Non-O Visa run in about a week, and will try to keep a log of important data/details and take a lot of photos and post it all here.

upagumtree · 4th May 2008, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by toong tao daeng

Do any of these places have secure parking? And do you think reservations are required at this time of year?

BTW, I'm planning on doing a Non-O Visa run in about a week, and will try to keep a log of important data/details and take a lot of photos and post it all here.

Dunno about secure parking. When I was there the place was quiet as: I don't think you'll need to book anywhere. Plenty of places to choose from.
And your travel guide would be very useful indeed. I'm also planning a non-im O run in the next few months.

LeedsLeedsLeeds · 4th May 2008, 20:44

Best of luck to the pair of you. I was sent to Kota Bharu on a Non-B mission a couple of years ago and my former employer failed to provide sufficient documentation for my application. So, I apart from wasting a day (I just came straight back to Thailand), I also had to do border hops until my former employer pulled his thumb out of his fat arse and found out that the regulations had been tightened up and that further documents were indeed required. The tosser wouldn't even pay my travel expenses.