MY · Perlis · 6.66°N 100.32°E

padang besar

Border-market shopping for Thai snacks and kitchenware, without leaving Malaysia.

Best time
Any time of year; December to March is the driest stretch in Perlis. Go early to beat the heat, and expect crowds on long weekends and in the run-up to Hari Raya.
How long
Half a day
Getting there
About 5.5–6 hours' drive from KL on the North–South Expressway. Or take the ETS from KL Sentral to Padang Besar station, a short walk from the market. Kangar is about 40 minutes away.
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MY · Perlispadang besar6.66°N 100.32°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Border-market shopping for Thai snacks and kitchenware, without leaving Malaysia.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPadang BesarMY, Perlis
KLpadang besar
≈ 420 km from KL, as the crow flies
Two 2nd class sleepers from Bangkok operate thru to Butterworth Malaysia. Malaysian customs take place at Padang Besar.

Photo: Clay Gilliland · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Malaysia's border town with Thailand, and the end of the line for the ETS from KL. Most people come to shop: Arked Niaga and the market across the road are packed with Thai snacks, keropok, glutinous rice and kitchenware, and you don't need a passport to browse.

Makan

  1. Thai snacksBags of keropok, nuts, dried fruit and crackers to share out at home.Map ↗
  2. Tom yamSour and spicy, at the Thai-style stalls and the food court in Arked Niaga.Map ↗
  3. Pulut manggaMango with sticky rice and coconut milk, at its best in the Harumanis season from about April to June.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Arked NiagaThe big covered market locals call Pasar Siam, with hundreds of stalls, many of them run by Thai traders.Map ↗
  2. Padang WaremartThe market across the road, best known for its snacks.Map ↗
  3. Gua Kelam and Wang KelianKaki Bukit's tin miners' cave and the Wang Kelian viewpoint are about 30 minutes west.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Before Hari Raya the market fills with people buying Thai glutinous rice for ketupat. Go early in the day.
  • Leave space in the boot. It's hard to stop at one packet.
  • The market is on the Malaysian side. Crossing into Thailand needs your passport.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.