Thailand-Malaysia 2023

Surat Thani, Thailand – Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

George Town Harbour, Penang Island, Malaysia
George Town is Malaysia’s second largest metropolitan area, with a population of nearly 800,000. The George Conurbation, which encompasses Penang Island and surrounding islands, has a population of 2.84 million, and is the second-largest metropolitan economy in Malaysia, and the top exporter. Along with an international airport, two bridges linking the island to the mainland, Swettenham Pier is the busiest cruise terminal in the country.
George Town is named after King George III, who ruled from 1760-1820. It was governed by the British East India company from 1786-1858, then the British Raj from 1858-1867, then part of the Straits Settlements till 1941, under the Japanese from 1941-1945, then the Malayan Union 1946-1948, then the Federation of Malaya 1948-1963, and since 1963 Malaysia.
The acquisition of the island was achieved at the request of the Sultan of Kedah State, in exchange for military protection from the Bugis of Selangor, the state further down the west coast of the Malay peninsular. It marked the first step in the gradual colonisation of Malaya.

To see more of this trip on the Travelogue, click here: Thailand-Malaysia 2023