Driving Adventure - Penang to Phuket - Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah

If you are planning for a holiday trip, why not consider driving to Phuket it's affordable, fun, adventurous & exciting. Just forget about airlines booking, just pre-book your accomodation with any of the hotels or resorts in Phuket, have your vehicle serviced and that's all off you need and off you go & drive all the way from Penang to Phuket !!! For seating comfort of the passengers & with more leg room space, ideally 4 adults would be just nice and of course with plenty of car boot space for all the shopping spree which would definitely filled to the brim on the returned trip.

I am sharing the trip experience and the milestones which would be helpful if you intend to drive.

Journey by road- Driving from Penang to Phuket, Thailand

Penang >> Bukit Kayu Hitam(BKH) >> Sadao >>Patthalung >>Trang >> Krabi >> Phang Nga >> Phuket

As you drive along, follow the above sign board showing the direction to the above destination and these are quite easily seen ( green colour for standard highway signage )

Example: From Sadao after Immigration & Customs clearance, drive along until you could see Patthalung direction sign board, then follow Patthalung direction all the way until you could see Trang direction sign board, then again follow Trang direction all the way until the next………

Mileage : Penang to Phuket = about 650 kms
Sadao to Phuket = about 500 kms

Penang to Bukit Kayu Hitam about 130kms about 1 ½ hrs (fill petrol before arriving BKH – 2 petrol station at Napoh : Shell & Petronas as petrol is much higher in Thailand & also change currency into Thai Bhat can be done here. Petrol in Thailand is about MYR3.90 per liter)

Bukit Kayu Hitam, Malaysia Immigration clearance – exit Malaysia ( drive through counter about 10 to 20 minutes)
Sadao, Thailand Immigration & Customs clearance – entry into Thailand (about 20 minutes to 1 hr & depending on the passenger & traffic situation)

MILESTONE

Sadao to Patthalung about 52kms about 45minutes (can have breakfast here-Koay Teow soup)
Patthalung to Trang about 200kms about 2hrs (stopover Trang for Lunch, alot of Hokkien people here and famous for roast pork)
Trang to Krabi about 114kms about 1 ½ hrs
Krabi to Phang Nga about 95kms about 1hr(coffee break at Phang Nga-Amazon Cafe..nice coffee and not to be missed)
Phang Nga to Phuket ( crossing through Sarasin Bridge, you would not realise you have cross this bridge until someone told you) about 50kms about 1 hr
Sarasin Bridge to Phuket Town/Patong area etc about 30kms about 20 minutes

Road condition :
Penang to Bukit Kayi Hitam : Malaysia Highway – superb & excellent
Sadao to Trang : 2 lane highway - excellent
Trang to Phuket : 1 to 2 lane highway – easy, careful & overtaking required

Overall comment : Relaxing, quite easy & enjoying motoring all the way with some overtaking skills required at provincial areas. If it rains then have to be extra careful driving at provincial areas & nearby district areas

Ideally, the journey from Penang should be as early as possible (depart at 0700hrs) so that you could be in Phuket before 1700hrs ( Thailand local time as the total journey is about 650kms and driving time is about 8 to 9hrs) to search for the hotel, shower, rest & have a nice dinner.

Note : Thailand time is + 7hrs GMT thus is 1 hr behind Malaysia Time. All time shown in Malaysia Time and need to adjust accordingly upon arriving Sadao , Thailand

Stop over in Phang Nga for a drink at "Amazon Cafe", their coffee is one of the best we have ever drank...yummie

Vehicle Requirements :

Vehicle to be in tip top condition ( to have vehicle serviced before the journey)
Purchase additional vehicle insurance coverage ( from your current car insurer’s) for 1st party coverage for vehicle to be in the Kingdom of Thailand as our present insurance coverage is up to Malaysia & Singapore only. It’s an additional of about MYR190.00 for a 9 days coverage period and please confirm on the number of days required & at different charges.
Original vehicle registration document ( from JPJ ) please remember to get it from your Bank one day earlier (if your vehicle is still under loan servicing)
Purchase Thailand insurance coverage and this can be obtained at any insurance agent counter in Bukit Kayu Hitam ( BKH) . It’s about MYR16.00 for a 7 days coverage and will be given a certificate to be displayed in the front windscreen

Vehicle & Passenger clearance at Bukit Kayu Hitam (BKH), Malaysia

After Immigration clearance at BKH for passengers ( passengers need not get off from the vehicle as passport clearance can be done through the driver by handling all passport to Immigration officer stationed at drive through counter) , drive vehicle to Malaysian exit check point and show to the officer stationed there the original vehicle registration certificate (from JPJ). It’s simple from Malaysia side and just drive into Sadao after that.
Vehicle & Passenger clearance at Sadao, Thailand

After Immigration clearance ( must prepare & pay MYR1.00 or BHT10.00 for overtime service for each passenger) at Sadao for passengers ( all vehicle passengers need to get off from the vehicle and present passport & embarkation card personally to Immigration office as instant photograph will be taken – the vehicle will be parked at an assigned location), go to Customs check station for declaration of import of vehicle into Thailand by submitting a copy of vehicle registration certificate ( from JPJ) and passport of vehicle owner.

Thailand Customs will data entry such details into their systems and will be given a declaration permit to hand over for manual registration & process and getting owner’s signature on the Customs form.

Then take the vehicle out and this can then be then be brought into Thailand and upon arriving the control station, a copy of the import declaration will be given to driver by Customs officer there and THIS MUST BE KEPT PROPERLY as upon exit from Thailand back to Malaysia, this import declaration need to be registered before the vehicle is allowed to go out from the Kingdom of Thailand. Without this import declaration shown, the vehicle will be forfeited and not allowed to leave Thailand. This is quite fast & without much hassle and depending on the traffic situation. You and your vehicle is now into Thailand and can drive anywhere that you would like to visit.
We put up in this small boutique hotel "Baipho Lifestyle Hotel" and it's very near to Patong Beach & Bangla Road ( the happening place in Patong) and it's just 5 minutes walk to Phuket latest international shopping complex "Jungceylon"

Everything is definitely good in Phuket, the food, plentiful of shopping ( Jungceylon, Robinson, Tesco Lotus, Carrefour, Big C Supercenter, Central Departmental Store etc etc) , sightseeing and of course don't forget the many international SPA resort which is as big as our hotel size and you will definitely pamper yourself with the many menus for your SPA pleasure. Enjoys

RETURNED JOURNEY - Home Sweet Home after 5 days & 4 nights in Phuket

Journey by road - Driving from Phuket, Thailand to Penang

Phuket >> Phang Nga >> Krabi >>Trang >>Patthalung >> Pattani >> Sadao >> Bukit Kayu Hitam >>Penang

Depart Phuket cross over Sarasin Bridge and follow Phang Nga route until Krabi signage and follow all the way to Trang signage.

From Trang, drive until Phatthalung signage and later will come to Pattani signage ( avoid Hat Yai & Songkla signage direction) drive on which will later shows Sadao & Border signage. Clear Immigration at Sadao and drive car to Customs for car clearance & surrender the import documents here .At BKH clear Malaysia immigration & Customs then Home Sweet Home.

Penang Bon Odori Carnival 2008 - 19 July 2008

A traditional Japanese festival with dance and drum performances held to welcome the homecoming of ancestral spirits and the organiser is The Consulate-General of Japan, Penang.

For this year, "Penang Bon Odori Carnival 2008" would be held at the Esplanade (Padang Kota Lama) on Saturday, 19 July 2008 from 6pm to 11pm
.

Bon Odori Festival in Penang, like in other parts of the world, is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Bon Odori is observed during Obon, which in turn is Buddhist holiday that originated in Japan to pay tribute to the ancestral spirits. The customs of this festival varies from one region to another but the traditional celebration includes a Bon dance with people dancing to the tune of musicians and singers of the Obon music around a wooden building.

More about Bon Odori ........

This Buddhist dance festival is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward their ancestors. Bon Odori originates from the story of a Buddhist disciple who envisioned his deceased mother in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts where she was endulging in her own selfishness. Greatly disturbed, he went to Buddha and asked how he could release his mother from this realm. Buddha advised his disciple to perform some charitable act in memory of his mother. The disciple did this and, thus, saw his mother's release for the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. He also began to see the true nature of her past unselfishness and the many sacrifices that she had made for him. The disciple, happy because of his mother's release and grateful for his mother's kindness, danced with joy. From this dance of joy comes Bon Odori or Bon Dance, a time in which our ancestors and their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated.

Today the Bon Odori Festival participants continue this custom as they dance in traditional Japanese dress, including kimonos, yukata (cotton kimonos), and hopi coats (short coats styled like a kimono top). The dances may include the use of fans, castinets, straw hats or cotton towels and recall both daily life in Japan and rememberance of ancestors.

The festival in Penang will see many stall selling food, Japanese & local as well as promotion of Japanese products during this time.

So folks, make a date to be at this festival and Enjoys to celebrate another festival happening in Penang......

Launching of the "Wheelchairs On Loan Scheme" by Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah on 10June2008

About "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme"
The ROTARY CLUB of TANJUNG BUNGAH together with the cooperation from KOBAY TECHNOLOGY BERHAD, a company listed on the Main Board of Bursa Security Malaysia Berhad, has set up a "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" to offer a helping hand to those in need of a wheelchair to transport and aid mobility on temporary basis, or yet are unable to purchase one. This is another community service project of Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah. It is the intention of our club to make this project sustainable and also on a long term basis by working with any corporate organisations and private individuals to fund this project on a continual basis.

Target groups for the "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme"

1.All individuals that are temporarily mobility disabled due to accidents or other mishap

2.Others as and when the need deem appropriate by the Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah and Tejani Medical Clinic

Administration
The "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" shall be implemented by the Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah and managed by Tejani Medical Clinic, Tanjung Bungah.

All requests for loan of wheelchairs and the Terms & Conditions for the loan of the wheelchairs shall be handled by Tejani Medical Clinic.

For further enquiries on the "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme:, please contact :

Tejani Medical Clinic, Tanjung Bungah at 604-8903999

Launching of the Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" - 10th June 2008 at Wisma Masyarakat Penyayang ( Penang Caring Complex)

The "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" was officially launched with the participation and assistance rendered from Penang General Hospital team and this was graced by the Pengarah of Penang General Hospital (Director of Penang General Hospital), Puan Dr.Juita.

The emcee for this event is PP Ricky Ch'ng and he welcomed Puan Dr Juita for being able to be with us to witness this launching, our Corporate Sponsor for this project, Kobay Technology Berhad which was represented by Mr KS Wan, COO of Kobay Technology, Administrator of the Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme, Dr Jitendra of Tejani Medical Centre and his staff, staff of Penang General Hospital,fellow Rotarians, partners in service, recipients of the Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme,invited guest and friends.

There was also an address by President of Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah, Chuck Yin who introduce the audience on Rotary Club activities and their communities service projects and highlight the contributions made by Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah and now in particular the benefits of "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" to those in need of a wheelchair and unable to purchase one.

The Pengarah of Penang General Hospital, Puan Dr Juita was also invited to gave a speech on this auspicious occasions of the launching and she share with the audience on the many activities and programme undertaken by the hospital on community health care for the people. It was indeed beneficial to all of us present on the facts & figures of the number of patients handled by the hospital and the many challenges and progress the hospital have made in giving out health care services to the people. While touching on this project of "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" undertaken by the Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah , she commended the club of the contributions to the general public and it was indeed a noble one which could in a way help to provide assistance to those in need of a wheelchair for the unfortunate who are unable to purchase one.

The highlights of the "Wheelchairs on Loan Scheme" was the presentation of a mock cheque of MYR5,000 towards the sponsorhip on the purchase of 20 wheelchairs which would be given on loan to those needy recipients by Mr KS Wan the COO of Kobay Technology Bhd to the club which was received by President Chuck Yin and witnessed by Puan Dr Juita, the Pengarah of Penang General Hospital.

Later, Mr KS Wan together with President Chuck Yin presented the wheelchairs to the recipients present and with this the Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah has launched yet another service community project and congratulations to the club and fellow Rotarians who have contributed tirelessly to make this project a success. SYABAS to ALL...

Enjoy viewing our slide photograph show taken during the launching....

20th Anniversary Dinner Celebration of The Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah-24May08

Enjoy viewing some of the pictures taken during the 20th Anniversary Dinner celebration of The Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah which was held on 24th May 2008-Saturday at Paradise Sandy Bay Hotel, Tanjung Bungah.

The MC of the dinner was none other than our PP Ricky Ch'ng who took us down memory lane way back in 1988 with the slide presentation show and from the archive photograph, many Rotarians were really very young, macho and handsome way back 20 years ago.

Wow , you would not be able to recognise our 2 founding members of the club in 1988 from the photograph and who are still with us tonight and it's a wonderful reflection of how they look 20 years ago and they are our PP Ricky Ch'ng and PP Ronny Tan. They really without doubt looks young, handsome and macho then. Our appreciation to both of them for still being with the club and look forward to their continuous support, guidance and contributions to bring the club to greater heights.

President Chuck Yin gave us a welcome speech and thanks all Rotarians for their support & contributions given to the club and of course their effort to organise this 20th Anniversary Dinner which was attended by fellow Rotarians, Rotary Anns, Rotary Kids, Interact Club members and invited guests.

There was a sumptuous buffet spread of dishes prepared by the hotel for this dinner and we are sure everyone of us had a good meal and time together with The Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah in celebrating their 20th Anniversary Dinner Celebration. Enjoys ......

Happy Dumpling Festival - 08 June 2008

Hi folks out there, do you know that dumpling festival is coming soon and maybe just to remind you all of this rich traditional Chinese festival which is celebrated yearly please read on the folk tale of the Dumpling Festival which is also celebrated by Chinese in Malaysia.

On the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, Chinese communities celebrate the Duan Wu Festival 端午节, also known as the Dumpling Festival, Dragon boat Festival.

The festival commemorates Qu Yuan 屈原, a patriotic poet from the Kingdom of Chu 楚国during the Warring States period 战国时代who committed suicide upon hearing the fall of Chu’s capital city to the Qin armies 秦军.

He was believed to have drowned himself in the Miluo River 汨罗江on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in 278 BCE. Civilians around the area row their boats out to try to save him or to recover his body. They beat on drums and gongs to frighten away fishes and sea creature to prevent them from eating his body. When these efforts proved futile, they threw rice dumplings into the river to prevent the sea creatures from attacking his body.

Qu Yuan came to symbolize patriotism and on his death anniversary date, it became a custom to organize Dragon boat races 赛龙舟and to consume dumplings 粽子

In 2008, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month falls on 8 June 2008 which is a Sunday.

So any dumpling for all of us ....maybe someone will bring us some dumplings for all of us during our next weekly meeting of The Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah on 10 June 2008 - Tuesday at Paradise Sandy Bay Hotel at 2000hrs. Yummie...we must all keep our stomach empty....we need more than 10 pieces...make my mouth watery !!!

Anyway, HAPPY DUMPLING FESTIVAL to ALL.

Or how about durian party.....anyone care ?