Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat Travel Package Tours, Thailand Tour Information Hotel Guide

SUNGAI KOLOK OVERVIEW

This border town is located 66 km from Narathiwat and by virtue of its rail link is a much busier crossing point to Malaysia than Ban Taba which lies directly south of Narathiwat. A typical border town, Sungai Kolok has more than its fair share of hotels, many of them short-time joints catering mainly to Malay men who skip over the border or a bit of action in the town's many karaoke bars and coffee houses. The restaurant scene is also pretty basic (though tasty) with noodle shops, roti stalls and typical shopfronts the staple. The town itself has little to recommend it (unless you're after a bit of action yourself) although it is the closest town to the very interesting Pa Phru To Daeng peat swamp. Most travellers tend to move on through either south to Malaysia or to other destinations in the south such as Hat Yai, Narathiwat and Yala, but if you have the time, the couple of hour diversion to Pa Phru To Daeng peat swamp is well worth it. Sungai Kook can also be used as a base for visiting Hala Bala National Park on the Malay border. Aside from the swamp, Sungai Kolok's main asset is as a transportation hub with the train station by the centre of town and convenient mini-bus and songtheaw transport to destinations throughout the region. Sungai Kolok has suffered a series of bombings, arson attacks and killings as a result of the ongoing trouble in Thailand's far south and while none of these attacks have specifically targetted westerners, you should exercise care, particularly in the outlying districts. Expect to see a heightened military presence with humvees and soldiers fully kitted out both in town and in the surrounding area.

Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint
The largest border trading area in the province, the checkpoint opens between 5.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m. Cross-border traffic is via a bridge common between Thailand and Malaysia. Thais like to cross to Rantu Panyang to buy electrical goods and snacks while Malays come over to shop for food and fruits. The checkpoint is located around 1 kilometer from Su-ngai Kolok train station. There are 2 possible routes from the city. The first is via Highway No. 4055 (Narathiwat-Rangae). Proceed along the highway and turn left at Ban Manang Tayo, then take Highway No. 4056 to Amphoe Su-ngai Padi into Su-ngai Kolok. The second route is by taking Highway No. 4084 from Narathiwat town to Amphoe Tak Bai, turning right to Highway No. 4057 (Tak Bai-Su-ngai Kolok) and proceeding for 66 kilometers. From Su-ngai Kolok Checkpoint, visitors can drive across the bridge to Kota Bahru in Malaysia, but each car must be insured.