Malaysia

Crustasian · #1 12-07-2007, 03:11

Just did a very fun trip back to Penang for a tourist Visa.

I used Firefly and had no snags either way.The flight from Penang back to Phuket is now at 1755 so you can collect your passport and fly the same day.

Georgetown was as normal with good mix of drinking holes to exploit.

20 Leith Street has gone and is derelect.The Hong Kong Bar is reopened in its old site down Chulia Street.

I am still in two minds as to which Indian restaurant is my favourite.

Dingo's · #2 13-07-2007, 17:45

Good to hear you had a good flight and enjoyed your time away.

I just got back last night after being down there for a couple of days. I took my gf with me and we went by VIP bus which we both enjoy. Take a good book and chill out.

I got my 1 year Non B from Penang without any questions.

Very happy!

AngloTeuton · #3 21-07-2007, 13:44

Dingo's:
Pleased to read that you got a 1-Year "Non-B" visa in G'town with no problems.

I want to do the same, but wonder what class exactly did you apply for? Did you use an agent? What was the cost (fees for agent and/or TH consulate)?

I did the visa process myself w/o agent in Penang in April and only got 90 days, single entry, but reallly need 1 yr multiple entry.

Thx,
AngloTeuton

Nicke · #4 21-07-2007, 15:05

Do you have work permit? Without wp you will not get one year visa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngloTeuton

Dingo's:
Pleased to read that you got a 1-Year "Non-B" visa in G'town with no problems.

I want to do the same, but wonder what class exactly did you apply for? Did you use an agent? What was the cost (fees for agent and/or TH consulate)?

I did the visa process myself w/o agent in Penang in April and only got 90 days, single entry, but reallly need 1 yr multiple entry.

Thx,
AngloTeuton

Dingo's · #5 21-07-2007, 18:10

Exactly what I just stated when I sent him a pm Nicke. No wp, only 3 months

AngloTeuton · #6 28-07-2007, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingo's

Exactly what I just stated.... No wp, only 3 months

Thx.-- You you guys are so right.

I could maybe get a WP but the hassles involved (like medical check-up, provide all old diplomas, a house registration, even a map where you live ect, ect) aren't worth it. I only got the 3 mo O and it cost me about THB 4100, 3.5 lost days at my mansion's poolside in the company of the visiting TG and ferang chicks, and a sore back from sleeping on buses.

FYI: went to Had Yai on the last bus out of Phuket at 21.50 arrived there at about 5 am, shared a cab with 3 other visa runners for 500 THB/ea to the TH consulate on Penang (double what it was 3 months ago from the same provider!), applied for visa, spent the rest of the day bored silly at the Blue Diamond Hotel & Mexican Pub on Chulia St, slept awfully on the lumpy mattress at 250 MYR, had an overpriced breakfast, took a ride on the free hotel bike all over town (liked what I saw), picked up passport at consulate at 14.00, cought microbus at 15.00 in front of hotel back to Had Yai, bus from there which got me to Phuket at 3.30 am.

I avoided the 17.55 Firefly flight because one of the visa runners reported they cancelled his flight recently just because there were not enough passengers :-0! The flight would only have increased the cost of the trip by about THB1200 but would have cut about 7-8 hrs.

In any case, after 6 years I'm getting bored and frustrated with the LOS and am seriously considering to move my base to Lankawi or Penang. MY gives everyone a free 90-day entry stamp on arrival (no visa needed) and reportedly 90 day extensions at the local immigration office on demand, with no questions asked. They now seem to be much more welcoming than the Thai administration who are more and more paranoid, greedy, totalitarian and imcompetent. --

Living expenses seem to be about the same in MY, maybe even cheaper (all of Lankawi Isl is a duty-free port), English is more widely spoken, they use the Latin alphabet and a lot of ferang words (f i bas = bus), lots of TG working there, the infrastucture is better developed and maintained than in LOS. Easy in- and egress by air via KL or SIN, or by ferry, train, bus.

Thai govmt don't seem to know or care that tropical islands with willing ladies are dime a dozen and expats are abandoning Thailand by the tens of thousands, while the hoped for 'quality tourists' pass them by for friendlier, more efficient, cleaner, safer and more welcoming shores.

Best, my GF from BKK promised she'll be just as happy to fly to Penang or Lankawi (THB 1700 on AirAsia) as to HKT on her monthly visits with me, bless her loyal heart. -- So Phuket tourism will probably soon lose two good customers in one single screw-up.

AngloTeuton · #7 28-07-2007, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dingo's

Exactly what I just stated.... No wp, only 3 months

Thx.-- You you guys are so right.

I could maybe get a WP but the hassles involved (like medical check-up, provide all old diplomas, a house registration, even a map where you live ect, ect) aren't worth it. I only got the 3 mo O and it cost me about THB 4100, 3.5 lost days at my mansion's poolside in the company of the visiting TG and ferang chicks, and a sore back from sleeping on buses.

FYI: went to Had Yai on the last bus out of Phuket at 21.50 arrived there at about 5 am, shared a cab with 3 other visa runners for 500 THB/ea (double what it was 3 months ago from the same provider!), applied for visa, spent the rest of the day bored silly at the Blue Diamond Hotel & Mexican Pub on Chulia St, slept awfully on the lumpy mattress at 250 MYR, had an overpriced breakfast, took a ride on the free hotel bike all over town (liked what I saw), picked up passport at Consulate at 14.00, cought microbus at 15.00 in front of hotel back to Had Yai, bus from there which got me on the island at 3.30 am.

I avoided the 17.55 Firefly flight becuase one of the visa runners reported they cancelled his flight recently just because there were not enough passengers :-0! The flight would only have increased the cost of the trip by about THB1200 but would have cut about 7-8 hrs.

In any case, after 6 years I'm getting bored and frustrated with the LOS and am seriously considering to move my base to Lankawi or Penang. MY gives everyone a free 90-day entry stamp on arrival (no visa needed) and reportedly 90 day extensions at the local immigration office on demand, with no questions asked. They now seem to be much more welcoming than the Thai administration who are more and more paranoid, greedy and imcompetent. --

Living expenses seem to be about the same, maybe even cheaper (all of Lankawi Isl is a duty-free port), English is more widely spoken, they use the Latin alphabet and a lot of ferang words (f i bas = bus), lots of TG working there, the infrastucture is better developed and maintained than in LOS. Easy in- and egress by air via KL and SIN.

Thai govmt don't seem to know or care that tropical islands with willing ladies are dime a dozen and expats are abandoning Thailand by the tens of thousands, while the hoped for 'quality tourists' pass them by for friendlier, more efficient, cleaner, safer and more welcoming shores.

Best, my GF from BKK promised she'll be just as happy to fly to Penang or Lankawi (THB 1700 on AirAsia) as to HKT on her monthly visits with me, bless her loyal heart. -- So Phuket tourism will probably soon lose two good customers in one single screw-up.

Simbo · #8 13-08-2007, 22:00

Off to Penang tomorow on a visa run. Will update on state of Firefly, any changes to visas, etc on return.

DREW · #9 14-08-2007, 02:47

I must admit I have a bit of a soft spot for Penang, for all the reasons mentioned above.

The service is always great, the women just as pretty and the climate is the same, although the facilities are better than Thailand, you can even drink the tap water.

Maybe it would be nice to live there and then go to Phuket every few months for a Holiday so you would appreciate Phuket more.

Best wishes

Drew

Simbo · #10 19-08-2007, 14:40

Quick trip report. No probs with firefly going down to Penang. Only 16 on the plane though. late fight means ou can get to Georgetown, drop off passport and hit the ground running. G'town V quiet at the mo, not many in SoHo. Not many ladies around that I saw, perhaps they don't go out til after 10 or I was looking in the wrong places. I was warned that there may be a problem with me being a frequent visa seeker as there is a new consul there and he is trying to make his mark. I was expecting to get a warning stamp but it was all sorted. perhaps if he is too heavy handed and receipts go down he will have re-evaluated by the time I go back again in Feb. Still only single entry visas though. Return Firefly flight was delayed by 15 minutes- full this time though. No probs with Phuket Immigration- he didn't even comment that I'd left the country 2 das earlier on a different passport. All in all a quick succesful trip.

DREW · #11 03-10-2007, 02:53

Hiya

Does anyone have a good one showing everying on it.

I have recommended it to a friend and want to email him some directions.

Regards

Drew

Simbo · #12 03-10-2007, 23:31

Night life takes place in about 300m on the main drag- not much mapworthy unfortunately.

dennisinkamala · #13 08-10-2007, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

Night life takes place in about 300m on the main drag- not much mapworthy unfortunately.

As Im about to move to Penang in March some pointers would be appreciated.

I understand the 'night life' rules for girls are different (whatever that means).

Enlighten me please??!!

Simbo · #14 10-10-2007, 00:01

Crusty's update stuff probably the best. I never bother with the ladies there as I'm not bothered with being away for 2 days. The only thing I can think for the rules being different is that the whole scene is a lot discreet there and the pickings a bit slim. The 2 nights I was in SoHo there wasn't anyone I would have looked twice at.

Dingo's · #15 11-10-2007, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simbo

Crusty's update stuff probably the best. I never bother with the ladies there as I'm not bothered with being away for 2 days. The only thing I can think for the rules being different is that the whole scene is a lot discreet there and the pickings a bit slim. The 2 nights I was in SoHo there wasn't anyone I would have looked twice at.

Come on Simon, we all know you were checking out the ladyboy regulars there.. don't be shy mate, we're all friends here

Simbo · #16 11-10-2007, 23:24

LOL bet YOU checked out the Witnee link you dog you!!

richone · #17 14-10-2007, 13:13

I've booked to go to Penang next week, for a short break, come fact finding visit.

Can anyone recommend a comfortable but budget priced hotel in a reasonably central area of Georgetown, i.e. close to shops, restaurants, nightlife etc. I have read that Chulia Street is a good central location.

Simbo · #18 14-10-2007, 21:54

Crusty and I use the hotel Mingood on Argyll street- 3 minutes walk to SoHo and 15 minute walk to the big shopping malls. Cheap and cheerful would be the best way to describe it and they have free wifi in the rooms. If you book it on travellerspoint it is actually cheaper than booking the hotel direct. Approx cost to and from the airport was 36 ringit I think.

richone · #19 14-10-2007, 23:32

Thanks for the recommendation Simbo. I will be taking the GF, if that makes any difference. I had also stumbled across the Hotel Malaysia and the Merchant Hotel, whilst searching through Google. They are both on Penang Road.

Crustasian · #20 25-01-2008, 16:15

Firefly now have reduced shedule - they only fly alternate days.I went Monday and back Wednesday.

Flight departures have changed too. Depart Phuket 2025.Return Flight departs penang 1950.

This time I booked into The Orential Hotel right on junction of Chulia Street and Penang Road.Good room (a bit old) with double bed 80 RG per night.I booked through Asia Web Direct.

Soho and the other hang outs still on the go but not many people.They were all looking forward to Chinese New Year in early February.

Had a great Indian meal in the Kashmir again and last afternoon had Soho's Fish and Chips -yummie.

The bigest problem was that the Immigration in Phuket airport was swamped with travellers and the queues were over an hour and a half to clear.Our outbound plane had to be delayed because passengers could not get through in time despite checking in two hours early.