Sadao to Bukit Kayu Hitam Border Crossing: 2026 Guide

Sadao, in Songkhla province, faces Bukit Kayu Hitam in the Malaysian state of Kedah. It is the main road crossing between the two countries and the usual visa run from Hat Yai. A new permanent Sadao checkpoint opened on July 11, 2026, with longer hours.

Quick Facts

• Thai side: Sadao, about 60 km south of Hat Yai
• Malaysian side: Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah
• Hours: 05:00 to 23:00 since July 11, 2026
• Before you go: Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arrival

Getting There

From Hat Yai, minivans run to the Sadao border and to towns across it in Malaysia, such as Alor Setar and Penang. Many visa runners take a through minivan to Penang, stay a night or two, and come back. Some minivan operators also run same-day border trips that stamp out and back in.

Malaysia Entry Requirements

Most Western passports get 90 days visa-free in Malaysia, but you must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card online within three days before you arrive. Officers may also ask about your plans and onward travel. See proof of onward travel for Malaysia.

Crossing Step By Step

1. Stamp out at Thai immigration in Sadao
2. Continue by vehicle to the Malaysian complex at Bukit Kayu Hitam
3. Show your passport and MDAC, and get stamped in
4. To return, stamp out of Malaysia and back into Thailand

Thailand’s Border Run Rules Since September 2026

Thailand changed the rules on September 15, 2026, and they matter more than any detail of the crossing itself:

• 30 days visa-free for eligible nationalities, for tourism only
• Two land-border entries per calendar year on the visa exemption. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from the cap
• Air entries are not capped, but officers screen repeat visa runners more closely
• One 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office (form TM.7, 1,900 THB)

If you have already used your two land entries this year, this crossing will not get you back in visa-free. Fly in instead, or apply for a Tourist e-Visa or the DTV before you go. Our Thailand border run rules for 2026 covers every option.

Security Note

Several governments advise against non-essential travel to parts of Thailand’s southern border provinces, including some districts of Songkhla. Check your own government’s advice and your travel insurance before you go.

Bring Proof Of Onward Travel

Border officers on a visa run are deciding one thing: will you leave again on time? A confirmed onward or return booking is the quickest way to answer that. It matters most when you are re-entering a country you only just left, and on the flight leg if your run involves one. See whether Malaysia asks for proof of onward travel.

If you do not want to commit to a real ticket yet, Fast Onward Tickets issues an onward flight reservation in minutes. See our complete guide to proof of onward travel for what officers and airlines accept.

FAQs

Can I do a same-day visa run at Sadao?

Physically yes, but repeated same-day runs draw attention and now count toward Thailand’s two land entries per year.

Do Malaysian citizens count toward the land cap?

No. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt.

Is Padang Besar an alternative?

Yes. See our Padang Besar crossing guide.

The Bottom Line

Sadao is efficient, especially with the new checkpoint. Fill in the MDAC, count your Thai land entries, and carry proof that you will leave both countries on time.