Rantau Panjang
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Note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, foreigners except for diplomats, expatriates, MM2H holders and lorry drivers delivering goods between Malaysia and neighbouring countries are barred from entry until 31 August 2020. Tourist objects, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants are open but with strict social distancing measures. |
| (Information last updated 11 Jun 2020) |
Rantau Panjang is a town in Kelantan, Malaysia. It is the major border crossing between Malaysia and Thailand for the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The town on the Thai side across the Golok River which forms the boundary between the two countries is Sungai Kolok.
The town has a duty-free shopping area where you can find electronic goods, cigarettes and clothes.
Get in
Visa
Rantau Panjang is a major road crossing between Malaysia and Thailand. For visa requirements to enter Malaysia, please see Malaysia | Get in section.
By road
Rantau Panjang is about 40km from Kota Bharu, the state capital of Kelantan. The road between Kota Baru and Rantau Panjang goes via Pasir Mas. Rantau Panjang and Sungai Kolok are linked by the short "Harmony Bridge" over the Golok River. See below section for details.
By bus
Bus No. 29 operated by Syarikat Kenderaan Melayu Kelantan (SKMK) (which is owned by the same owners as Transnasional , hence the names on the buses), runs between Rantau Panjang and Kota Bharu every half hour and also stops at Pasir Mas in between. The journey takes about an hour. The bus leaves from the back of the Kota Bharu Bus Station, and the fare is RM5.10 as of May 2019. If you're going directly to Thailand, don't get off at the Rantau Panjang bus terminal - the next stop is much closer to the border crossing.
There are no cross-border buses into or from Thailand.
By taxi
Shared taxis also run between Rantau Panjang and Kota Bharu as well as other destinations in Kelantan, or even further. Establish the fare before getting in. Again, taxis do not cross the border into Thailand.
By train
Although there is a railway line linking Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas where it joins the main East Coast line, there are no passenger train services. The nearest station is Pasir Mas on what is known as the Jungle Railway. The town can be reached by bus or taxi.
To/from Thailand
A bridge links Rantau Panjang and Sungai Kolok. The Malaysian immigration is right in the middle of town just before the bridge. Most people without their own transport walk across the border. See Sungai Kolok page for connections to destinations in Thailand.
Get around
Rantau Panjang is small enough to be covered on foot. The bus station is located about 100 meters from the Malaysian immigration complex.
See
There is not much to see in town. If borders fascinate you, take a walk down to the Golok River near the bus and taxi station (walk in between the rows of shops). You will be right on the border between Malaysia and Thailand and you will be able to see how many people, and goods (rice from Thailand, consumer goods from Malaysia), cross the border without the hassles of immigration and customs. All this goes on under the watchful eyes (well, they will have to be closing one eye for this to happen) of the border guards. If you are not from the area, it is advisable NOT to exit or enter Malaysia in such a manner.
Do
To acquire some ringgit just walk into the town square (see 'sleep')and there are plenty of atm's available.
A DO NOT TRAVEL WARNING has been issued by some foreign embassies regarding this part of Southern Thailand, particularly Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla due to terrorist attack. valid at March 2008. Refer: http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/asia/south-east/pages/thailand.aspx So take care!
Buy
- Shopping at the duty-free zone in town. Numerous shops offering items like electronic goods, clothes, cigarettes and others.
Eat
Drink
Sleep
If you walk past the immigration office you have to take a right turn to enter the town. Keep on walking until you reach the main square. In the evening time there are eating stalls there and the guesthouses are also on this square, just ask. Single room RM15 and double room RM25. No luxury but clean.