Thailand – Malaysia border Checkpoints

There are 7 land border checkpoints between Thailand and Malaysia. Officially it is called ICQS, which is abbreviation of “Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex”. Namely, Sadao / Bukit Kayu Hitam, P. Besar / P. Besar, Betong / Bukit Berapit (Pengkalan Hulu), Sungai Kolok / Rantau Panjang, Ban Prakob / Kota Putra (generally known as Durian Burung), Wang Prachan / Wang Kelian and Buketa / Bukit Bunga.

Sadao / Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint is the busiest among all due to its geographical convenience and connectivity between the two countries at the main expressway, Kanjanavanich Road in Thailand and North-south Expressway, NSE (E1) in Malaysia. Both are also part of AH2 (Asian Highway route 2).

The second busiest checkpoint shall be Padang Besar Checkpoint, which is also the checkpoint for travelers using railway trains. Thirdly, the less popular checkpoint belongs to Ban Prakob / Kota Putra, because of its 45 minutes more traveling time. However, it’s still a good alternative route during weekend, or Public Holiday eve, when the two busiest checkpoints would incur queuing time of more than an hour.

Thailand-Malaysia border checkpoint Opening / Closing Times

The earliest opening time for Thailand / Malaysia Border Checkpoints start from 06:00 (05:00 Thai Time) in the morning, checkpoints including Sadao / Bukit Kayu Hitam, Padang Besar, Betong / Bukit Berapit, Sungai Kolok / Rantau Panjang and Bukketa / Bukit Bunga.

Border Checkpoints Closing at 00:00 (23:00 Thai Time) is the longest opening time among all the checkpoints, which is Sadao / Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint. Follow by Betong / Bukit Berapit checkpoint at 23:00 (22:00 Thai Time).  Padang Besar and Sungai Kolok / Rantau Panjang checkpoints closing at 22:00 (21:00 Thai Time). Wang Prachan / Wang Kelian and Bukketa / Bukit Bunga checkpoints closing at 19:00 (18:00 Thai Time).
The earliest closing checkpoint at 18:00 (17:00 Thai Time) applicable only to Ban Prakob / Kota Putra checkpoint.

Checkpoint name (Thailand / Malaysia) 

(1) Sadao (Dannok) / Bukit Kayu Hitam
(2) Padang Besar / Padang Besar
(3) Ban Prakob / Kota Putra (Durian Burung)
(4) Betong / Bukit Berapit (Pengkalan Hulu)
(5) Wang Prachan / Wang Kelian
(6) Sungai Kolok / Rantau Panjang
(7) Buketa / Bukit Bunga
(8) Tak Bai / Pengkalan Kubor (*by Ferry)

Checkpoint Open / Close

(1) 06:00 / 00:00
(2) 06:00 / 22:00
(3) 08:00 / 18:00
(4) 06:00 / 23:00
(5) 08:00 / 19:00
(6) 06:00 / 22:00
(7) 06:00 / 19:00
(8) 06:00 / 19:00

*UTC +8 Malaysia Time 

Documents required for Border Crossing with Own Vehicle

Standard Documents Required to enter Thailand by Car

1. TM2 Information of Conveyance Form – 2 copies (inbound and outbound)
2. TM3 Passenger List Form (for passengers) – 2 copies (inbound and outbound)
3. Valid Driving License – Malaysia (ASEAN*) or International
   Grant/Vehicle Ownership Certificate (VOC) – or Certified True Copy (either one)
4. Simplified Customs Declaration Form
5. Photocopy of road tax – to check validity
6. 3rd Party Insurance – Compulsory
7. TM6 Arrival/Departure Card (white card) *suspended
8. Passport – minimum 6 months validity

Additional Documents if your car registered under other’s name

# Authorization letter from the vehicle’s owner and copy of the owner’s passport/identification card
# If car registered under company’s name: Form 24 & FORM 49.

Procedures and Important Notes

• Drivers and passengers get their passports and TM6 Arrival/Departure Card (white card) stamped at Drive-through counter.
• Proceed to park your car at parking lot before “Temporary Importation of Motor Vehicle” counter.
• Provide passport, Registration Card / Vehicle Ownership Certificate & other documents to the customs officer at STEP 1 then STEP 2 windows
• The officer will print out a “Simplified Customs Declaration Form” (“temporary vehicle import/export form”), for your keeping. Sign on the two sections of the form as indicated.
• Submit and sign Customs Form TM2 and TM3
• Get the stamped copy of the TM2 and TM3 forms from the officerNote:
• Pay RM3 or 25 Baht during Non-office Hours (06:00~08:30, 12:00~13:00, and 16:30~00:00 or on PH & weekends).
• Keep this form during your entire journey in Thailand. The form is Valid for 30 days.
• Must return SCDF, TM2 and TM3 forms to the customs officer when leaving Thailand.
• If you failed to return the “Simplified Customs Declaration Form” TM2 and TM3 within 30 days, Not negotiable penalty is 1,000 Baht a day, up to maximum 10,000 Baht.

Singaporean crossing into Thailand via Malaysia-Thailand Land Border Checkpoints:

With effect from 31-Dec-2016, Singaporean visitors entering Thailand through land border checkpoints without Visa has been limited to twice in a calendar year for stay of not exceeding 15 days each. The third entering overland, will need to obtain a Visa.