Padang Besar
The most talked about Perlis shopping experience is undoubtedly the border town of Padang Besar whose magnetic pull on the Perlis shopaholics is evidenced every weekend by the large numbers making their way to fill the bazaars on both sides of the shopping border between Malaysia & Thailand.
Padang Besar is also on the main railway line between Kuala Lumpur & Bangkok & it is a popular stop off for tourists travelling between Thailand & Malaysia & even further onto Singapore. When you arrive at the Padang Besar railway station it is unusual in that both Malaysia & Thailand share immigration facilities here even though it is on the Malaysian side of the border.
Historical influence from Thailand is everywhere in Padang Besar & it is sometimes difficult to ascertain from which side of the border the traders you are conversing with are from such is the similarity in accent & fluency in both languages.
The Malay/Thai influence is evident in the food here as well but there is one common trait throughout all the shopping complexes & market stalls & that is cheap merchandise.
Thousands flock here on weekends & the outlets are fortunate in that they experience a high volume of visitors on both Malaysian & Thai public holidays.
The duty free shop in between the border offers a variety of goods you would expect to see at an airport duty free with cigarettes, liquor, perfume & watches being popular choices.
On the Thai side of Padang Besar (or Pekan Siam as it is commonly known) you can expect to purchase cheap goods including toys, textiles, clothing, handicraft, leather goods, household items, foodstuff, fruits and souvenirs. However the Malaysian side also offers many of the same type of items by maybe a different supplier.
The most talked about Perlis shopping experience is undoubtedly the border town of Padang Besar whose magnetic pull on the Perlis shopaholics is evidenced every weekend by the large numbers making their way to fill the bazaars on both sides of the shopping border between Malaysia & Thailand.
Padang Besar is also on the main railway line between Kuala Lumpur & Bangkok & it is a popular stop off for tourists travelling between Thailand & Malaysia & even further onto Singapore. When you arrive at the Padang Besar railway station it is unusual in that both Malaysia & Thailand share immigration facilities here even though it is on the Malaysian side of the border.
Historical influence from Thailand is everywhere in Padang Besar & it is sometimes difficult to ascertain from which side of the border the traders you are conversing with are from such is the similarity in accent & fluency in both languages.
The Malay/Thai influence is evident in the food here as well but there is one common trait throughout all the shopping complexes & market stalls & that is cheap merchandise.
Thousands flock here on weekends & the outlets are fortunate in that they experience a high volume of visitors on both Malaysian & Thai public holidays.
The duty free shop in between the border offers a variety of goods you would expect to see at an airport duty free with cigarettes, liquor, perfume & watches being popular choices.
On the Thai side of Padang Besar (or Pekan Siam as it is commonly known) you can expect to purchase cheap goods including toys, textiles, clothing, handicraft, leather goods, household items, foodstuff, fruits and souvenirs. However the Malaysian side also offers many of the same type of items by maybe a different supplier.
Wang Kelian
Wang Kelian is another border Perlis town popular with shoppers from both countries because of a huge market on both sides of the border. The Green Earth Duty Free shop here is also a hit with tourists travelling between both countries.
Night Market
The Perlis Pasar Malam or night market is very popular throughout the state & in towns like Kangar you can expect to find night markets on nearly every night of the week.
Nat Pokok Getah
Find the 30 years of the uniqueness selling activities in rubber plantation. 'Pasar Nat' or known as Pekan Sari located at Pekan Pauh, Arau; 15 minutes drive from the town of Kangar.
Named by Pekan Sari because of its availability for one day or “sehari”, this open air market surrounded by the wealth of nature is open on Sunday morning until noon. It sells varieties of items from fresh vegetable, fish, cooked foods, clothes and traditional medicine. Don't forget to feel the excitement of having your early breakfast at the stalls that selling cooked foods around the Pasar Nat too.
Named by Pekan Sari because of its availability for one day or “sehari”, this open air market surrounded by the wealth of nature is open on Sunday morning until noon. It sells varieties of items from fresh vegetable, fish, cooked foods, clothes and traditional medicine. Don't forget to feel the excitement of having your early breakfast at the stalls that selling cooked foods around the Pasar Nat too.
