Betong 勿洞

If you are looking for a budget and relaxing trip, 2 days 1 night in Betong is a definitely good choice for you.
 
 Betong is a town in southern Thailand. It is near to the border of Thailand and Malaysia.

Betong Town

Betong Street

There are few things that you need to know before getting to Betong:
1.) Ringgit Malaysia is accepted in Betong
2.) There is prostitution activity in Betong
3.) You need a passport/border pass
4.) Most of the residents in Betong can speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay and Hokkien
5.) The time zone difference in Thailand is 1 hour (GMT+0700). If it is 3pm now in Malaysia, then it will be 2pm in Thailand.

Getting there
i)Head to Gerik, Perak if you are from southern.

ii)Head to Baling, Kedah if you are from northern. 

Then, look for signboard to Pengkalan Hulu.Once you reach Pengkalan Hulu,then look for signboard to Betong,you will reach the Immigration Checkpoint very soon.


Transport
-If you plan to go Betong by your own car, then you have to bring along your car registration card under your name with you. Show it to the police after Malaysian Customs.

**If you forgot to bring your car registration card, there is "cerita lain" .....You can bribe the police, I think it should not be expensive. Maybe less than RM50.

-If you plan to go Betong by Taxi, what you need to do is to look for people (a group of motorcyclists) stationed around Malaysian Customs.They will guide you where to park your car and call a taxi for you. Then, they will charge you RM10 for kopi and another RM10 (per day) for parking. The taxi charge is around RM30 to reach Betong town.


We chose to go by taxi...

Getting in

Wen Hao, Ck, Sally

The taxi will bring you to Thailand Customs where you need to have your passport stamped. A lady will fill up the immigration form for you. They charge RM 2 person. This is an open secret. No receipt will be given.

You may deal with the taxi driver to bring you to see the attractions in Betong. Bringing us to 3 attractions (Piyamit Tunnel, hot spring and a templer) and Malaysian Customs cost around RM130 for 6 persons.


Hotel
We stayed in Grand Mandarin Hotel - the most luxurious hotel in Betong. The rate is RM 138 per room (Breakfast for two included).

Grand Mandarin Hotel

Penny , Sally , Ck

Restaurant of the Hotel

  

Lobby

Hotel Washroom

 

The Room

View from Washroom

As mentioned, there is prostitution activity in Betong, so you won't be surprised to see the design of the room is something like that. We were quite stressful while using the washroom.XD

Food

I would say Betong is a food paradise. The food is good and served at affordable price. Maybe it's due to the mixture of Chinese, Thai and Malay culture here, the taste of food here is quite unique. I am sure that you won't be regret of trying it.

1.) Chinese Restaurant opposite to Grand Mandarin Hotel

This shop is highly recommended.It is just located at the shop lots opposite to the guardhouse of the hotel. You will be able to see the restaurant if you turn right after the guardhouse. The restaurant is just few shops after few massage centers and a cyber center.

Barley is served in bottles

Roast Pork

Eggplant with Minced Pork

 The ingredients are eggplant that is green in colour, minced pork,chilies and basil (九层塔). Perfect match !!

 

Pork Knuckle

Pork Knuckle with Pineapple

The sauce is very good. A big bowl of rice is a must!!

Steamed Chicken

 Steamed chicken (白斩鸡) is a must try dish in Betong. The local chicken is famous for its tender meat with less fat. The best chicken that I have ever tried.

The bill was around RM 70 only for 6 persons.

 
2.) A Siam Restaurant


I do not know how to get to this restaurant. The taxi driver brought us there.

Bamboo Juice

 

Betong Fei Chow Fish

The size was so big...Topped by coconut meat.

Mango Salad

The salad was good , even it's a little bit spicy.

Kaku Choy

Steamed Chicken Again

The bill was around RM 160, the service was very good. A waiter was allocated to refill drink and rice for us.



3.)Random Food


- Tong Shui Stall


Tong Shui in Betong (maybe Thailand) is salty. Bubur caca, green bean , and etc are all salty.

Tong Shui

Tong Shui 2

- Satay Rendang
Rendang sauce is served instead of the kacang sauce that we usualy have in Malaysia.

Pork Satay

 

Pork Satay 2

- Roti Canai

Roti canai here is special. Different from Malaysia, no dhall will be served and all roti canai is sold by Malays. Roti canai is fried until crispy. With sugar added, the original roti canai is the best!

You can have banana or egg roti canai too. 

Roti Canai Stall

 

Original

Attractions
There are few attractions in Betong that people always go.




1.) Piyamit Tunnel
Here was the base of Malaya Communists last time. RM 5 per person as entrance fee is applicable.

Main Entrance

Info Board at Entrance

Board 2

Bell

Wishing Pond

Heading to the Tunnel

Map of the Piyamit

 A former communist will explain the map for you.

Cooking Area

Tunnel

I did not capture photos inside the tunnel as I am too tall to stay inside the tunnel. I need to bend down all the time. ZZZ

Combat Group

Besides the tunnel, there is a chinese temple in that area.This temple seems very "leng", it's so crowded in there.

Bridge Leading to the Temple

Wishes

 2.) Hot Spring


A normal hot spring.

We were not impressed by the hot spring, but a lady selling herbs here.

The Lady

The lady is a former communist too. She shared a lot of stories with us, including Chen Ping and the educational system in Thailand.

She told us that Chen Ping was an outdated leader. He sent people to die and was hated by many. Without him, Malaya would have been a republic country. (I did some research after back to Malaysia - there were 3 groups of  Malaya Communists in southern Thailand last time. This lady was not with Chen Ping. Maybe this could be the reason why she hates him so much. )


In Thailand, they do not differentiate races. All people must learn Thai. The new Chinese generation in Betong is able to read and write chinese characters, but they are not willing to speak even local Chinese people established Zhong Hua School for them. 

Herbs and Traditional Medicines

Reading

 Her marketing strategy was good. She successfully to earn our money after telling stories to us. We bought some herbs from her.


3.) Temples 

There are many temples in Betong. This is one of the attractions included in the RM 130 package.


4.) The Market

Betong Market

 You may buy some fruits like watermelon, crystal pineapple, and etc. I think it's good even I did not try it.

Local Products

This is a good place for you to buy souvenirs too. The Thai Instant Noodles is available here too.

Market 1

Market 2

Market 3

Market 4

Girls can't get their clothes easily here. You know the reason la. haha

5.) Betong Clock Tower
 Landmark of Betong Town

Betong Clock Tower

 6.) Betong Pos Box


The Pos Box in Betong is huge.
 

Old Pos Box

New Pos Box

 7.) Others
 

Betong Museum

Condom Selling Machine

 8.) 7-11


7-11 in Thailand is a fun place to visit too. XD..

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Each of us just spent around RM 100 for 2 days 1 night. It is cheap right ? XD


 Thanks for reading....