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Thats My Bush
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Lets see, I will compare the 2 points of taking flight vs. taking the bus.
Flight from KLIA to Alor Star to Hadyai
[1] Fast and there's two flights a day from KLIA to Alor Star (7.30am and 6.30pm). Price range from RM40 and above for one way.
It will depend on the early reservation made for this price to stay low. Probably 1.5 week to two weeks before departure. Book through their site.
[2] Taxi ride takes only 2 hours + from Alor Star to Hadyai town. It will depend also on the traffic queue at the border and also your taxi driver's charm on the custom officers.
Note: You have to take two taxi rides. One from the airport to the border, they will stop at the duty free building and you will be transferred to another Thai taxi that have the licence to drive in. Price may vary on this, roughly around RM 60-ish from my previous experience.
I like this setup because I can buy my booze and cigarrattes for dirt cheap price at the duty-free at my own leisure.
Pros on this method:
Its faster in terms of total hours spent. Probably more comfortable as you can adjust your time on how many hours you want to spend in between. E.g.:calling your boss that you will be hometown for the w.end or your best friend to take care of your wife/gf for the w.end. Up to you 
Cons for this method:
Slightly more expensive than the bus. You will pay for the ride to take the trip to KLIA either wee early in the morning or in the midst of traffic jam in the evening.
This method I take is geared for those whom planned ahead and expensive for those last minute or unplanned mongers.
Total price for one way ride: RM100-ish
The bus from KL (Pudu Bus Station) to Hadyai.
There are practically dozens of buses that goes to Hadyai from the bus station. Either you book early or walk-in, the price stays the same except during peak season like school holidays or NY or CNY. It may change to RM45-ish easily.
I prefer the evening ride rather than noon.
Price for the 10 hour ride: RM35
Pros:
[a] Cheap and consistent for the past few years in terms of price and travelling time.
Many times you WILL see some TG on the bus, as this is a preferred mode of transportation for them going back to LOS. Work your charm on them if you are able to.
[c] The bus driver will stop at a restaurant/money changer/ hotel booking a few kilometers before reaching the border. This is where I deal most of the time of my plans in Hadyai.
My personal preferance of bus company: Konsortium Supercoach. The bus looks like a grasshopper in red.
Cons:
[a] Comfort factor depends on the size of your body to the bus seat, whether there are "kids" that screams and shout musically to your ears will depend solely on your luck. Slip some of the drugs into thier milk if you must (careful with this, you might popped in your "vitamin V" and then you will indefinitely laugh your ass off). Just joking...
No toilet facility at your disposal till your next stop. Will hurt (>.<) to those have bladder at the size of an infant. Bring a bottle at the worse desperation.
[c] Limited time at the duty-free and usually only at "one place" where the bus driver that get paid to stop at.
[d] Probable factor that you will die from road accident. Mmmm, probably higher a few weeks before and after the F-1 or Japan GT show at Sepang circuit. The driver tends to be fast and furious most of the time anyways. So far, I lived to tell the tale.
Last but not least is to drive to Hadyai itself:
This is the most expensive method I had ever took.
KL-Hadyai:
RM160 for gas (includes return)
RM65-ish for toll (couldn't remember exact price, but this is around the ball park) per way.
RM5 per day to park you car at the border.
RM35 to take a cab to Hadyai town.
Total hours of drive to the border: 4.5-5 hours
Another mode of transportation is the train ride. I never want to travel in one as it takes too long (16 hours) and the price (maybe) slightly more than the bus. No experience in one and never want to.
If there are any correction needed or an update from other members, report in. Most appreciated.
Thats My Bush
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:56 am on June 14, 2004
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Dunhill
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Bush,
What time will the dutyfree shop close? If you take the late flight by AirAsia from KL to Alor Star, can you make it to the border before the dutyfree shop closing time?
Another thing is, is there any taxi for rent from Alor Star to Padang Besar and how much is the charges? I always go by way of the late night coach from KL to hatyai so don't know the other details.
Thanks
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 5:09 am on June 15, 2004
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TonsilBasher
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You might just make it for shopping at the Duty Free complex if you take the last AirAsia flight.
There are cabs even from the Alor Star airport to Padang Besar...probably RM40 plus. But why there when Dannok's only 40km away from the airport?
Bush, I agree with you about the pros and cons but I like to get there early and spend a bit more than usual. Arrive early as the goodies leave the hotel they spend the previous nite in, and book them before the arrival of ALL the other tourists from Penang, KL, Singapore etc. Get the good ones and leave them with the ones you wouldn't pick for free.
I normally go there Thursdays morning through Sunday morn...if and when I have to go.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:26 am on June 15, 2004
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Thats My Bush
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Agree to TonsilBasher on the duty free part.
If you are taking the air asia flight, you will have some access to the duty free items (no too sure about domestic though, as I always bought my stuff at the border). The airport's duty free might not be as cheap as the ones at the border, but still cheaper than the streets.
Dunhill,
If you are taking the bus ride, from my experience, The National Coach (and a few other freelance bus companies) never stopped at any duty free shop, as it's early hour in the morning (5 am) and most of the shops aren't open till 9 or 10.
As for the time these shops close, I have no idea, probably late at night around 10pm my guess.
But, I took several times with the Konsortium express (not a promoter here, mind you) and they made a stop at a duty free shop at 5.30am after the early breakfast at CTC enterprise and before reaching the border at 6am.
It's probably best to ask the bus driver if you are on another company, so far this company works for me among the lot and I wouldn't bother with others unless they sold out thier tickets (yes, this happens alot during the holidays).
TonsilBasher,
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Arrive early as the goodies leave the hotel they spend the previous nite in, and book them before the arrival of ALL the other tourists from Penang, KL, Singapore etc. Get the good ones and leave them with the ones you wouldn't pick for free.
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Lucky dog (^^), no wonder I ended up walking up and down the town to look for a decent lay *piff*
Hahaha, next time I have to go on Wednesday to beat you to it. Come to think of it, there's always next time in LOS...hehehehe.
You mentioned too about Chaiyakul Rd. Soi 3, is it the one on Phetkasem Rd.? (the wet market area and also a church around the corner) I had never thought that part got some goodies to spare, how's the girls there btw?
Thats My Bush
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 11:01 pm on June 15, 2004
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TonsilBasher
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Chaiyakul soi 3 is in the vicinity of Florida hotel and HatYai Garden Palace.
Like I said, when you go shopping for meat, the earlier, the fresher, the better the choice.
Have fun, bro.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 8:36 pm on June 16, 2004
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Dunhill
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TonsilBasher, Thats My Bush,
Thanks for the guide.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:08 am on June 18, 2004
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