Sungai Kolok checkpoint in Narathiwat province is the gateway to Malaysia! This is the largest border trading checkpoint in Narathiwat province, and the atmosphere is particularly lively as both Thai and Malaysian people travel back and forth to shop. **Getting There:** Getting to Sungai Kolok is not difficult at all! * **Train:** For those who prefer a relaxed journey, I recommend taking the train from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station to Sungai Kolok Station, which takes about 14-16 hours. Sungai Kolok Station is the last station on the southern railway line and is only about 1 kilometer from the Sungai Kolok customs checkpoint. * **Car:** If you're driving from Narathiwat city, there are two main routes to choose from: Highway 4055 (Narathiwat-Rangae) and then turn left onto 4056, or take Highway 4084 to Tak Bai and then turn right onto 4057 (Tak Bai-Sungai Kolok). * **Airplane:** You can fly into Narathiwat Airport and then take a minivan to Sungai Kolok. **Overview:** Sungai Kolok is a border town full of charm and cultural diversity. It serves as an important center for cross-border trade. The Sungai Kolok checkpoint operates from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Thai people often cross over to the Rantau Panjang side of Malaysia to buy duty-free goods and snacks, while Malaysians come over to purchase food and Thai fruits. In addition to being a crossing point, Sungai Kolok has many interesting places to visit, such as the Sungai Kolok train station which has nice photo spots, vibrant street art near the train station, the King Rama V monument, and the To Mo Shrine, which is respected by Thai people of Chinese descent and Malaysians. There are also plenty of delicious options to choose from, including authentic Bak Kut Teh and cute cafes. I can assure you, this place has it all!
Photo Credit: Facebook Page: ด่านศุลกากรสุไหงโก-ลก Sungaikolok Customs
Su-ngai Kolok checkpoint
Province: Narathiwat

