Betong （勿洞）, Thailand

It was a decade ago since I last visit to this small town of Betong (meaning bamboo in Malay language) situated just across Perak - Thailand border. Although it was just a brief spell in Betong, I couldn't miss the chance to sight-see around the town and take a photo or two.

1). This is the gateway to Betong custom checkpoint, which is the few storeys building ahead.

2). Thailand gives a warm welcome to fellow Malaysian tourists, which means you are now bound to the jurisdiction of Thailand.

3). We stopped here at a major crossroad in the town of Betong, where a very important landmark lies.

 4). Adjacent to the crossroad, there lies the largest mailbox in the land of Thai, situated at the City Convention Hall, on Sukkayang Road.

5). This is the famous Clock Tower roundabout in the heart of Betong, it has been a must-see tourist attraction. Honestly, I have no idea why..

6). But there is something to see after all, which is the original largest mailbox of Thailand, located at the corner of the Clock Tower. It was built in 1924 by Mr Sa-Nguan Jirajinda, the former head of Betong Post and Telegraph Office and the Lord Mayor of Betong. At a total height of 320cm, it is still being used as a mailbox until present day. Now, that's impressive!

7). Well, there is something you can observe all the roundabout. Now I understood why it is THE most important landmark in Betong..

8). Well, another famous tourist hotspot is the local market of Betong, where you grab some souvenirs for your family, or even just sight-seeing and window shopping.

9). Actually there are more than what meets the eye, here only shows a glimpse of how gigantic is the market, where you buy all sorts of things here, such as fruits, local food, beauty products, toys, etc..

10). Something I've been missing since the day since I went to Krabi, Thailand, which is the Thai-version of roti canai, where banana cutlets, evaporated milk and plenty of sugar were added in (sounds like a combination of roti bom and roti banana).

11). This is the dividing border between Thailand and Malaysia, located just before you crossing back to Malaysia. Everything must comes to an end. Our journey was short-lived, but it was enjoying nonetheless, hoping for another round of trip anytime soon.

Route to Betong:

1). en route using Kuala Kangsar - Baling Expressway (Federal Route 76) to Pengkalan Hulu

2). Take east using Federal Route 76 connecting Pengkalan Hulu town until the Checkpoint of the Malaysia - Thailand Border.

Khua Samui Thai Restaurant at Betong, Thailand

My last trip to Betong was more than a decade ago, not much of reminiscence since then. This time around I decided to explode some local Thai food on a field trip. This place was recommended by a friend, courtesy  to Motormouth. It's not easy to find the place, even if you have a map or GPS, as the Tut-tut driver couldn't understand a word we say..

1). Finally we found it, stranded a few miles off Betong Town, and it is just beside the main road and situated opposite of a petrol station.

2). This is how the restaurant looks from the inside, still with Chinese New Year ambiance and you can purchase a few beauty accessory over the counter. Yet we received a warm welcome, with the workers approach us with a smiley face.

3). First thing to order during a sunny hot day is cold drinks!! A bottle of Pegaga (a.k.a. pennywort or 崩大碗 or buabok) is recommended by the waiter, which gives a greeny taste but refreshing nonetheless.

4). Tom Yam Kung is not to be missed when eating Thai food. This seafood tom yam is very rich in flavours, lots of ingredients are put in such as prawns, squids, abalone mushroom, fish meat, etc. Doesn't taste too spicy nor soury, just the right taste!

5). The next dish is squid (a.k.a. plah merk) cooked with salted egg. The salted egg aroma storms into our noses can make us lose control!  The gravy is very complimenting with rice, it tastes so cheesy and we fight till the last droplet!.

6). The last one is Kailan (a.k.a. Chinese Broccoli or 芥兰 or phak khana) cooked with salted fish. As I always fond of salty food, I found that this dish really suit my taste, the leaves are fresh and not too salty either.

7). Although the menu in in Thai (with Chinese as well), we have no problem ordering the dishes, as the staff there can speak English, Cantonese and Malay, to my astonishment! On the plus side, the price of the food is relatively CHEAP and taste differently from our local Thai food. Definitely return here for another Thai delight, whenever I revisit Betong!

Khua Samui Thai Restaurant

Pratana Road 3,

Betong, Thailand.

Tel. : 073-232157

(Will update the GPS coordinates soon)