I'm looking to leave Bangkok by chartering a bus later today. Anyone want to join us on a drive to Penang where we can pick up a flight to SIN or KUL?
Warning - 16 hour trip time
If we can get eight people then the Hilton will arrange a bus for a total of 36,000 Baht. About USD 130 each.
We are currently being quoted USD600 for a flight from the military airport.
Someone is making a lot of money out of stranded tourists
Will check back to FT at 1200hrs BKK time to see if there are any takers.
I used the train to go to Hat Yai last Thursday. Left on the night train and arrived in Hat Yai around noon Friday. Taxi to the border, completed immigration out with Thailand and in with Malaysia, then taxi to Butterworth/Penang for train to KL. Had to remain in Butterworth overnight for morning train. From there I went to Singapore (same train) and flew back home out of Singapore airport. Train from Butterworth to Singapore via KL arrived in Singapore around 10 PM.
There are private buses that you can book through travel agencies that will take you to Penang/Butterworth through Hat Yai. Better to have a shared van or bus from Hat Yai to take you to Butterworth than taxis, much cheaper. None available when I went through on Saturday.
Good luck.