Tuesday 29 December 2009

DESTINATION: Bukit Kayu Hitam


Bukit Kayu Hitam is Kedah's main border town on the Malaysia-Thailand Border. It marks the end of the North-South Expressway and Malaysia Federal Route 1, the longest Malaysian road which runs from Johor Bahru, Johor in the south till the border at Bukit Kayu Hitam pass. The checkpoint and duty free shopping complex is located near the border. Across the border to the north is the town of Ban Dan Nok in the district of Sadao, Songkhla province in Southern Thailand. To its south in Malaysia is the town of Changlun.

The Bukit Kayu Hitam is the main road crossing between Malaysia and Thailand and lies at the northern end of the North-South Expressway. The expressway connects directly to Phetkasem Road (Thailand Route 4). The Bukit Kayu Hitam customs, immigration and quarantine checkpoint lies about 800m south of the actual border. The checkpoint consists of drive-through immigration and customs lanes.

The Thai checkpoint is called the Sadao immigration checkpoint and is located immediately after the Malaysian-Thai border in the town of Danok. The checkpoint also handles drive-through immigration and custom facilities, although some of the lanes are converted to handle pedestrian traffic.

Midway between the Malaysia and Thai checkpoint is the duty free shopping complex owned by Quintmas Sdn Bhd. People from Malaysia to pass through the checkpoint to get to the duty free shopping complex without going through immigration formalities. One is however not allowed any duty free items and any items found will be subjected to tax. There is also a golf course located behind the duty free shopping centre.

There is an army post between the duty free shopping complex and actual border where passports and other travel documents may be checked.

Source: Wikipedia