Making the Kota Bharu Malaysia Visa Run From Samui, Krabi or Phuket

I've made this visa run about 6 times in the last few years. One time I did the run while having dengue fever. It's by far the hardest logistically but the easiest from the embassy side of no long lines of

three hundred people in front of you or big paperwork hassles. I am told now there is a Plane from Surat Thani to Kota Bharu but I couldn't find any information on it. I think one of the visa guys from samui has a charter plane. More on that later.

Plan your Trip

Go to the Thailand website and be sure to check the holiday schedule of the consulate to avoid extra stay in Malaysia. Let's face it, this place is pretty mild compared to Thailand. The consulate website is here: Thai Embassy   ***One thing to note about this embassy is that they are open on a Sunday and closed friday and Saturday.

Taking the Train
You can take the train from Surat Thani to either Hai Yai or directly to Sungui Kolok. The downside to this is you will arrive late at the consulate and will not be able to turn your paperwork in until the next day. Here is the train schedule from Surat Thani:

The train comes around 2:00 am in the morning and you arrive in Sungai around noon. Time you make it through immigration and get a taxi to the consulate its closed for the day and you have to return the next day. This delay extends your stay in Malaysia an extra day.

Driving to Hat yai and Taking a Van to Sungai Kolok
Here is another option you can drive to either Hatyai bus or Train station and then take a bus or train to Sungai kolok. I have done this option a few times as well. You can take a van from Hatyai to Sungai almost every hour until about 5 PM. This option still will cost you a extra night either in Sungui or in Malaysia. If your real early in the morning or late at night you can take the train. Hai Yai Train schedule: 

Thai Immigration
After you make it here the process is quite easy. Give them your passport and let them stamp you out. Then you need to grab a taxi to Kota Bharu Thai Consulate. The taxi ride takes about 45 mins to a hour and will set you back 1000 thb. 

Thai Consulate Kota Bharu 
I think this is one of the harder consulates to get to but i feel they  are more easy going on the paperwork side than Laos. 
Consulate is open Sunday to Thursday from 9 am to 12 noon.

Then reopen for collection 2 Pm to 3:30 PM. It is very easy to get a visa here if you have everything in order. I am told as of October 2018 on, that one year visas will be harder to get now if your working and applying for non- immigrant "B" visa.

 Tips for Kota Bharu

• Take malaysian currency for Consulate
• Travel on a Saturday so can be there on a Sunday
• Avoid Mondays because of large tour groups
• Bring something to do like a laptop or a book

Returning to Thailand

When finished getting your visa head for the border. There is usually a taxi waiting around the consulate to take you to the border. I find this trip to be boring but if you have a few days to kill and don't want to go to laos, this trip is for you. I recommend this trip to anyone that is south of Chumphon to consider. If your in Surat Thani, Krabi, Phuket or anywhere in the deep south I feel this is a good option for you.

Holiday Schedule for Consulate