A Scenic Road Trip from Penang to Betong – A SITI Experience
- Li Li Chen
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
This school holiday, I embarked on my first-ever road trip from Penang to Betong, Thailand — a short but fulfilling journey filled with nature, culture, food, and family moments. Under SITI’s “Invest in Experience” theme, this trip reminded me how enriching it is to explore beyond borders, even for just a weekend.
Day 1: Crossing the Border and Exploring Betong
We left Penang Island at 5:30am to beat the school holiday traffic — and it worked! The roads were clear, and the 1 hour 45-minute drive to Bukit Berapit Immigration Station was smooth and scenic.
The drive from Sungai Petani to Baling and Pengkalan Hulu was lovely — we passed through cool, misty highlands that made it feel like we were overseas.
Since all our documents and Thai insurance were arranged in advance by a helpful agent in Penang, immigration clearance went smoothly. After Malaysian Immigration (just a drive-through), we parked the car and queued at Thai Immigration, presenting our passports and digital arrival cards. The process took just 20 minutes.
Next, we submitted the original car geran to the Thai border office to get a temporary import permit for the car — again, a smooth process. From there, it was just a 15-minute drive into Betong town.
Betong has a charming small-town feel with a strong Malaysian presence. The main attractions are centered around the clock tower and the Betong Mongkolit Tunnel, the gateway into town. The town is known for its giant chicken statues, symbolizing good fortune — and yes, chicken rice is a must!
Since we arrived early, we went for breakfast at a local boat noodle shop near Grandview Landmark Hotel. Delicious, affordable, and just the right portion.
Then came the highlight for the kids — 7-Eleven stops! Every store was a mini adventure. Thai snacks, drinks, yogurts, and buns (my healthier picks), while the kids couldn’t resist their favorite snacks.
After some leisurely walking and exploring, we enjoyed Thai tea and coffee at Café Amazon, relaxing and watching daily life pass by. Lunch was wonton noodles and char siu rice, followed by a Teochew mooncake biscuit packed with salted egg yolks — rich and satisfying.
We checked into Grandview Landmark Hotel in the afternoon — clean, spacious rooms, covered car park, and great location close to food and 7-Eleven.
In the evening, we visited BM Super Wholesale Store for Thai groceries — great deals if you’re buying in bulk. For dinner, we tried Goh Tong Restaurant, located next to our hotel, serving a mix of Chinese and Thai dishes. The food was presentable, tasty, and reasonably priced.
Day 2: Flowers, Hot Springs, and History
We started with a simple bun and yogurt breakfast before heading out to the Winter Flower Garden, a 30-minute drive from town. The road was steep, requiring low gear, but the journey was worth it. Located at the hilltop, the garden was bursting with colors, fresh cool air, and plenty of photo spots. Chalets are available for those who wish to stay overnight.
Next, we visited the Betong Hot Springs, where we boiled eggs in the 80–90°C tub and soaked our feet in a cooler 50°C pool — soothing and fun. Right opposite were local eateries and stalls selling Musang King durians (RM48/kg).
After that, we visited the Piyamit Tunnel, once used by the Communist Party of Malaya. A small museum displayed daily essentials used by the fighters, and walking through the tunnels gave us a glimpse of their ingenuity and resilience. It was also a fun way to refresh my son’s history lessons!
In the evening, we headed to the Betong Night Market near the clock tower. The air was filled with delicious smells, laughter, and vibrant lights — a perfect way to end the day.
Day 3: Final Moments and Farewell to Betong
We started our final day with a wide spread of local dimsum at a reasonable price of only RM3.00 (THB 20) per tray. The pace in Betong is unhurried, and we took our time to enjoy the morning calm.
Before heading home, we squeezed in a few last-minute stops — another 7-Eleven run (because there's always something new to discover) and a short stroll around the clock tower area to soak in the atmosphere one last time.
Then it was time to pack up and check out of Grandview Landmark Hotel. We left Betong mid-morning and took the same scenic route back through Pengkalan Hulu, Baling, and Sungai Petani. The journey home felt shorter, perhaps because we were carrying back wonderful memories.
The border crossing back into Malaysia was smooth — a quick passport check at Thai Immigration, and another at Malaysian Immigration, before continuing our drive back to Penang.
We reached home safely by early afternoon, feeling grateful for the experience — a short but meaningful adventure under SITI Network’s "Invest in Experience" initiative.
Final Thoughts
This short road trip was a refreshing break, packed with simple pleasures — cool air, good food, friendly people, and a sense of discovery. Driving into Thailand may sound daunting, but with some prep and early timing, it’s surprisingly easy.
Most importantly, it reminded me that investing in experiences — not just destinations — is what truly matters.
Tips for First-Time Drivers to Thailand:
Arrange Thai insurance, filing documents and digital arrival cards ahead of time (I did mine at Thai Insurance agent at Siam road, Penang)
Bring original car registration (geran) & passports
Buy a Thai sim card at the road side store before immigration (RM25 for unlimited data for 7 days). This is importance for navigation via google map and Touch n Go payment. Roaming doesn't work well in Thailand.
Start early to avoid queues at immigration
Use low gear for hill climbs
You may use our Touch n Go in Thailand, under Alipay. Most vendors accept our Touch n Go. Do spare some cash for street vendors.
Carry snacks and water for kids
Enjoy the journey — not just the destination!
Till my next trip!
S(I)TI - (I)nvest in Experience.
SITI Network 10th June 2025
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