Heaven in Hadyai

We have been driving to Hadyai for numerous times now. Why Hadyai? If you love cheap shopping, cheap massage and cheap seafood, Hadyai is the place.  

What we enjoyed here with lots walking and bargaining after shopping, go for a massage and relax yourself before indulge in Thai Food.

If you are driving, as you reach Changlun Kedah; look for a corner coffee shop that can help you to fill up your embarkation form, the new rulling TP2 forms and purchase car insurance.  Bring along your original car registration card.  If you are not the owner and the car belong to your company, do have an authorization letter from your company or owner of the car with copy of car registration card.

You will have your passport stamp at Bukit Kayu Hitam. Then owner of the car will have to proceed to another different counter to get a form fill up before you can proceed with your journey.  The forms are suppose to return to immigration as you exit Thailand.

As for hotel, we prefer Centara as its location at town centre with lots of shopping and food around.  You can also try Regency or Mayflower Hotel.  Nearby there is also a small market where you can purchase glutinous rice dumpling, dried stuff eg. dried shrimp and some foodstuff like cashew nuts.

As for Thai massage, we prefer to patron Hadyai Central Hotel, clean and comfortable environment which cost you THB300 for 2 hours.  If you prefer Oil massage, it will be THB700 for 2 hours.  Be generous to pay some tipping to your masseur.

Food wise, Restaurant Kan Eng is a good choice. Just two shops away, try the stall with sesame glutinous rice ball in ginger syrup soup.  If you love to explore, we normally will have seafood in Songkla,  a restaurant by the name of Sujinda along the Samila Beach.

Shopping at Kim Yoong Market, you will find lots of clothing, shoes etc.  There is a shop just selling Zebra brand product. You can actually walk to Kim Yoong Market that what we usually did but will take a tuk-tuk back after shopping.  Tuk-Tuk will cost you THB20 per person.

For us, a 4 days 3 nights was good enough to rejuvenate.  However, do note not to travel to Hadyai during Malaysia School Holidays or worst still Public Holidays because you will be stucked for hours at immigration and also on the highway. So plan your journey wisely.