Padang Besar (Locals often call it "Padang" and it is often abbreviated as P.B. It can be translated as "Big Field" in Bahasa) is a border town located in the northern part of Perlis state in Malaysia. It is situated on the border with Songkhla province, Thailand, 35 kilometers northeast of Kangar and about 70 km southwest of Hat Yai. The town opposite Padang Besar in Thailand is also known as Padang Besar, although locals here usually refer to the town as "Pekan Siam" or Siamese town.
The town is a "shopping heaven" and popular destination for Malaysians because of the duty-free shopping complex in between the border checkpoints of the two countries. The town attracts several thousand visitors from Peninsular Malaysia and Southern Thailand every weekend and public holiday.
Tourism
Padang Besar is a popular shopping paradise since year 1960, this town frequently visited by the citizen from both Malaysia and Thailand for travel and business purpose. Nowadays, this town still attracts several thousands of visitor from Peninsular Malaysia and Southern Thailandin every weekend and public holiday. Majority of Malaysian would like to shopping at Complex Aked Niaga Padang Besar, Pasar Padang Besar and Gapura Square, besides, Jalan Besar (town center) is one of the famous shopping area for Thai and Malaysian visitor.
Except above mentioned shopping area, places of interest can be reach within 20mins from Padang besar are listed as below
- Gua Kelam (Limestone cave)
- Chuping (Malaysia largest sugar cane land and one the Malaysia Rally Championship circuit)
- Perlis State Park (the only semi deciduous forest in Malaysia)
- Timah Tasoh Lake
History
According to various resources from internet, the question regarding to "Padang Besar was established before or after Malaya-Singapore railway connected" is remain unknown . Below show the notable history in Padang Besar:
- In 1913, rail connection linking Padang Besar in Perlis to Singapore was built.
- In 1918, rail connection linking Padang Besar in Thailand to Hatyai in Songkla was built, therefore, Malaysia 3rd custom and immigration branch office was established in railway station to serve the train direct crossing into Thailand.
- In 1928, first Chinese primary school was built under the huge desire from local Chinese citizen.
- In December 1941, Padang Besar was a one of the British Malaya temporary army base for support war against Japanese army in Khlong Ngea Songkla Thailand to delay Japanese invasion from reach Malaya during World War 2. (See Operation Krohcol)
- In 60s, Golden Triangle Commercial Area was built just beside the current new Padang Besar Railways Station which just 1m away from the border line in between Malaysia and Thailand. It became a famous shopping heaven in Malaysia and Southern Thailand. Besides, smuggling of this area is serious and finally caught the attention from both Malaysia and Thailand governments.
- In 90s, new Padang Besar Immigration and Custom Complex were constructed to replace the Sadao Rd custom check point. Meanwhile, the old railway station renovated and upgraded to inland dryport. Both checkpoints were link together by pedestrian bridge to form Malaysia first ICQ complex.
- In 1994, Golden Triangle Commercial Area was demolished by Perlis state government due to the smuggling activity of this area is serious, affected Thailand border economic and relationship between both countries. Meanwhile, new commercial area (Aked Niaga Padang Besar) was built to replace the demolished commercial area.
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