Trip to Koh Lipe (22th Oct 2008)with photo

Look atthe water


On the 19th Feb 2007, 2nd day of Chinese New Year, we left our house in Tanjong Bungah at 5.00am and arrived at the Thai Malaysian border town, Kayu Hitam, at around 7.00am (Mal time). We went to the carpark that we normally park our car and paid a total of Rm15 (RM 5/day) for 3 days.We locked the car and then walked into the Malaysian Immigration Check point. We got through the checkpoint surprisingly speedily ,secured with the new passport. After that we walked straight across ( 7 minutes walk) into the Thai Immigration post at Changlun. Here we spent almost 45minutes going through the new system set up by the Thai Immigration system where every visitor will have his or her face taken with a webcam and as normal procedure everyone has to pay Rm 1 for processing fees.

Finally we were in Thailand,(adjusted our watches 1 hour earlier) ,Thai local time 7.00am, and took a Taxi (Baht 500) to Hatyai ( 1 hour to reach Hatyai). Normally we would take a local van in front of "7 Eleven" and paid Baht 50 per person for the trip to Hatyai but not for this trip due to shortage of time. Note: the van will only move when it is full

Told the Taxi driver to drop us at the Van Station in front of the Hatyai Railway Station. Most of the Van leaving to the outskirt town of Hatyai are parked here. Upon arrival we asked the van station master of the van to Pakbara Port and paid Baht 120/person(Total Baht 480) for the trip. We also paid for the Speed boat ticket Baht 1200 round trip ( Baht 650/trip) to Koh Lipe.We were informed that the Boat will leave from the Pakbara Port to the island twice a day ,10.30am and 1.30pm ,which we decided to take later one. The trip to the port will take approximately 2 hours that mean we have to leave Hatyai by 10.30am.The Time was 8.30am by then.
Reason to take the later trip is for us to take our Breakfast (cheaper) over here in Hatyai and also ease ourselves and even purchased some grocery( water,soap ,cards etc). Grocery at the island and port are normally expensive.

Left, 10.30am sharp and arrived at the port at 12.30pm. Took our Lunch over here and the fried rice or noodle cost Baht 50/plate compare to Baht 35 at Hatyai.
The Speed Boat left the port at 1.45pm and arrived at Koh Lipe 2.45pm. We were lucky for the captain of the speed boat drop by a small island for us to enjoyed the crystal clear water.


At one of the island....................................the smaller boat that took us to the island


Upon arrived at Koh Lipe, we could not land on the island immediately but have to transfer ourselves to a smaller boat, Long Tail boat, that cost us Baht 50/person again, due to the low tide. We have to take this long tail boat to board the speed boat even when we were departing the island on our last day.

We stayed in the resort called Lipe Resort and the room per night(peak season) was Baht 900 +250 an extra bed. We took our dinner (4 person) at a restaurant at the sea front and the cost that night was Baht 650 comprising of 1 barbecued fish,1 fried rice, 1 fried
noodle, 1 plate of barbecued cuttlefish and mixed fried vegetable including coke drink.
On the next day, we took a package trip to the 4 islands, Baht 400 per person, The trip started at 9.00am and finished by 3.00pm.
Dinner was at the same restaurant and the dinner was more costly by Baht 200 for we have balanced budget before we left the next morning.
Left Koh Lipe at 9.30 and arrived Hatyai by 12.00noon. Did some shopping in Hatyai
and left at 4.00pm and by 10.00pm.we finally reached home. Home sweet home.
Well, this trip was the first trip we took during Chinese New Year. Both my sons commented that Ang Pow collections were less for this year due to the trip!

Time and Cost to travel to Koh Lipe via Penang/Hatyai

From /To/ Time Travel (approximately) /Cost /Remarks
Penang to Kayu Hitam /1hr 30min /Rm 23 -24 /By Van from any tour company in Penang
Kayu Hitam to Hatyai/ 45 min to 1hr /Baht 50 /Changlun.By van in front of 7 Eleven
Main market to Van station/ 10min Baht 10 /By Tuk Tuk
Hatyai to Parbara Port /2 hours/ Baht 120 per trip
Parbara to Koh Lipe /1hr 45min /Baht 650 per trip or Baht 1200 round trip /By speed boat twice a day at 10.30am or 1.30pm
Koh Lipe(sea)to Koh Lipe (shore) /10 to 15 min /Baht 50 /By Long Tail boat
Koh Lipe to Marine Islands /6hrs /Bahts 400/ Dep 9.00am & Ret by 3.00pm.Lunch provided

Trying to get above data in chart form but unsuccessful.