Sungai Kolok is popular among Malaysians for its shopping and infamous entertainment delights. Tourism however has taken a knocking since 2005 as several bombs, blamed on southern Thai Muslim separatists, have rocked the town.
Sungai Kolok is the railhead on the east coast branch of the State Railways of Thailand's [http://www.railway.co.th] southern line. There are two departures daily to Bangkok, at 11:30 (rapid) and 14:20 (express), both stopping at Yala, Hat Yai, Surat Thani and many other towns en route. The 11:30 train arrives in Bangkok at 08:45, and the 14:20 arrives at 10:30, both the following morning. Although there is a rail link across the Golok River to Rantau Panjang (in Kelantan, Malaysia), there are no cross-border passenger train services.
Head to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui and other destinations by direct air-con buses from Thanon Wongwiwat bus terminal. Minivans depart to Hat Yai, Narathiwat, Pattani.
'''To/from Bangkok:''' Air-con buses by [http://www.transport.co.th/ The Transport Co. Ltd] (?????? ????? ????? (???.), ''bor-kor-sor'') run between Bangkok southern bus terminal (??????, ''sai-tai'') and Sungai Kolok bus terminal daily. The distance is ~1227km and normally takes 15 hours.
The "Harmony Bridge" across the Golok River connects Sungai Kolok with the Malaysian town of Rantau Panjang. The Thai border checkpoint is about 1km from the railway station; a motorcycle taxi should cost 20 baht. The Malaysian immigration checkpoint is just across the bridge and can be easily walked. Once in Malaysia, you can either catch a bus or taxi to Kota Bharu or Pasir Mas where you can catch trains to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. See the Rantau Panjang article for more details.
Take a motorcycle taxi. The rate to the border is 20 baht.
Traditional Massage around 270 baht per two hour session. There is ancient thai massage at Hotel Genting, Hotel Marina and Hotel Tara. Once you enter, the boss will ring the bell, the the messager girl will line up sitting in a show room with their number. So, choose which girl you prefer. Then the boss will show you the room. Once inside, change your cloth to a loose massage trouser. Then the girl will come bringing a bucket of water to wash your foot.
When you cross Malaysia Border to Sungaikolok and waiting for a bus to Samui, Phuket, Bangkok. Near Bus station there is a Thai Style food with reasonable price called " Mak Deang Restaurant " (Bangalow Hotel) ".
The Insurgency in the southern provinces of thailand is ongoing, and attacks on trains and border posts have occured. Check for any safety recommendations from respective governments before going to the southern provinces.
The usual stop after Sungai Kolok is either Hat Yai, or Rantau Panjang in Kelantan (the northernmost province of east coast of Peninsular Malaysia). You can also head to Pattani to expore Thailand's southern Muslim provinces.