5th of January 2006 - My first time in Thailand

Morning : We just had breakfast at Susu's place and we're on our way to Thailand! (note no1: Susu's place is almost at the border of Thailand and Malaysia; note no2: we passed by many plantations yesterday. From starfruits, dragon fruits to tabacco, mini yam, and pumpkins).

a nice little watch-out. From where we were we could see the border already (the black shade in the background is where Thailand is already).

Late Morning: We're at Bordertown (That's what they call it. It seems pretty obvious why it's named that way). It's also called Padangbesang. According to Uncle, there are quite a lot of businesses from Thailand. I'm starting to see a couple of Thai cars here.

Later part of the Late Morning: (Hahaha I know! It sounds almost lame) We're at Kompleks Bebas Cucai C'le Duty Free Shopping Complex. Haha! We are in between Thailand and Malaysia - no man's land. Sniffles. The officer in the Malaysia Check-point thought I was a Thai. =((( Anyway we're going in to get ourselves our Brother Chivas =)

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Occupation: Student
Country of Residence: Singapore
From/Port of Embarkation: Padang Besar
Next/Port of Disembarkation: Hatyai

hahahahha taking one of those tourisy shots. Anyway we actually needed to pay money for the Thai's "overtime" sheesh. Like WTF. Thailand is still that corrupted. I'm almost disgusted.

10.30am (Thai time: it's one hour behind Malaysian time) Sawadika! We're in Thailand already! =p The land of smiles. Just an observation- There are so many more motorcycles here. Where are the vehicles?? Where are the notorious jams?? Unfamiliarity sets in. Even their license plates look different. Hmm somehow I'm reminded of Fon. Wonder whether she's in Thailand.

Anyway we're probably on our way to Hatyai. Passing by forests with occasional delapitated single houses. Did I mention that Susu, Cheng, Lai and I are squashed behind? Well fitting in real well. It's a good start to the day.

squashed. we were enjoyin the ride nonetheless =)

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It's amazing to see families squeezing in one tiny motorcycle. To think we Singaporeans complain about our cars and the lack of space. =p

Anyway we're in Sadao, another small town in Thailand. Uncle told us we may have dinner here. Haha! He also let us in on another snippet of Information - alot of businesses here are owned by PRCs.

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We passed by Patini, another town where 5 million Muslims reside! Susu told us this gruesome story where some of these Muslims killed a few monks! Scary!

Just like Malaysia, Thailand gives a totally different feel. I'm not too sure whether it's a good feeling. I've certain mixed feelings about this place.

11.15 am (M'sian time: 12.15am):We're at Hatyai! First stop: a buffet lunch! We're going to get fat! We're going on a tuk tuk (for the next video, click the image)

click the image to play the video

taking a tuk tuk to the hotel for lunch

nice view from the hotel (Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel) where we had our buffet. The buffet cost only S$10!!!

my gals looking stuffed. hahahahha the problem with the 3 of us - no control =p

walking around after lunch.

as usual i got a little distracted by food.

i couldn't help taking this photo. hahah i was reminded of how 'pirated' their goods are. =P

after a looooong day of shopping and haggling in the main market and shopping centre, we were in another tuk tuk on our way back to the car =p

click on the image for another video of a tuk tuk ride.

we went to the vicinity of "happy new" (as stated in lai's phone)

another satisfying meal! thanks Uncle and Aunty!

ahhh we topped up the meal with Singha. Yummm...beer and good food - a good combination!

Night time: We went from the hotel to shopping centres (Odeon and Diana) to the market to dinner. It was a long and tiring day. I spent quite a bit in Thailand. It's more than enough for the day.

I really enjoyed myself today, Susu's parents' company and well everyone who squeezed in the car with me.

(for more photos, click here)