Cross-Border Walk from Rantau Panjang Malaysia to Sungai Golok Thailand

Rantau Panjang is the border town of Malaysia in Kelantan with Sungai Golok in in Narathiwat Province, Thailand. The Malaysia-Thai international border is just about 500 meters away from Rantau Panjang Express Bus and Taxi Station. Continuing on my journey to Hat Yai from the express bus from KL, I crossed from Malaysia to Thailand at Rantau Panjang Malaysia to Sungai Golok Thailand by foot, which is one of the most popular forms of transport across the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok border.

Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex Malaysia

The Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex Malaysia opens from 7am to 10 pm Malaysia time (GMT+8). With my arrival at Rantau Panjang at 5.45am by Queen Express bus, I had about more than an hour to wait in front of the border for it to open.

The foot crossing lane is to the extreme left of Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex Malaysia.

The queue started in front of the border gates a few minutes before 7am.

The gates to Rantau Panjang ICQS Complex Malaysia opens at 7am Malaysia time (GMT+8).

The first wave of border crossers immediately enter Rantau Panjang ICQS Complex Malaysia at 7am Malaysia time (GMT+8).

Following the footpath for border crossers on foot.

Ironically, Malaysia immigration is in the area where the sign pointing to Thailand is.

There are 2 immigration counters available at Rantau Panjang ICQS Complex Malaysia, but only 1 counter was opened in the early morning. No e-gates for Malaysian passport holders are available at Rantau Panjang ICQS Complex Malaysia.

I was the second in line, so I cleared immigration fast enough. I needed to be one of the first as I have a train connection to make in 30 minutes.

Heading out into the international area after Malaysia immigration.

Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge

Heading onto the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge.

The small gate for the footpath on the Malaysia side was closed, so a detour on the main road is necessary for foot passengers.

Walking across the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge from Malaysia to Thailand over the Golok River (Sungai Golok). The walk between the 2 checkpoints is just 500 meters across.

The Sungai Golok Railway Bridge still sits parallel with the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge across the Golok River (Sungai Golok).

A commemorative plaque sits on both sides of the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok Bridge in English and Thai at the true international border over the Golok River (Sungai Golok) between Malaysia and Thailand.

Looking out between Malaysia on the left and Thailand on the right over Golok River (Sungai Golok) at the true border.

The small gate for the footpath on the Thailand side was also closed, so a detour on the main road is necessary for foot passengers.

Turns out that the gate for foot passengers was negligible anyway, as the footpath disappears in Thailand, and everyone must walk on the road anyway.

Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint Thailand

The Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint Thailand similarly opens from 6am to 9 pm Thai time (GMT+7). I have just gained 1 hour by walking a few steps.

The foot crossing lane is in the middle main building of Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint Thailand.

The immigration area for foot passengers at Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint Thailand is quite laid back, laid out in an open square. 3 immigration counters are available to the right of the immigration square, and all 3 are open in the morning, so there was no queue.

The TM 6 Immigration Form (Thailand Arrival and Departure Card), colloquially known as “White Card”, is still required for visitors arriving in Thailand by land and sea. This can be collected from the TM 6 counter to the left of the immigration square beside the customs channel.

1 piece of TM 6 Immigration Form is given for free at the TM 6 counter to anyone who requires it. A writing service is available at the same counter for RM3.

Following Thai immigration, I am officially now in Thailand.

My sprint to Sungai Kolok Railway Station continues, and I continued my sprint by motorbike. The motorbike taxi stand is now located within Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint Thailand at the end of the sheltered walkway.

From here, I took a motorbike taxi for 50 Baht from Sungai Kolok Border Checkpoint Thailand to Sungai Kolok Railway Station to catch the Local 448 onwards to Hat Yai.