First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

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HHTel
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by HHTel »

No, but in both pics you can clearly see the upper bunk.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by buksida »

I sampled the new train yesterday from Bangkok to Bangsaphan ...
train1.jpg
train2.jpg
train3.jpg
train4.jpg
train5.jpg
It replaces the sleeper running the southern line so each seat is a bed, you get the whole berth. Costs were 650 for the upper, 740 for the lower. Going up we took the "special express" old three carriage one which was a less comfortable as you're confined to only one seat and cant move about, travel time took 6 hours, cost 480 baht. Although the seats on the new train are almost right angles you can use the big pillow to get comfortable, or just convert it into a bed and sleep. Travel time was the same, 6 hours, but it felt like less - the top speed seems to be limited by the condition of the old tracks, the train was capable of 120kph but didn't go over 90. There is a brand new restaurant car there but the food is bland to say the least so best to bring your own. Bathrooms are pristine and clean and the silent sliding doors between carriages prevent you getting disturbed every time someone wants to take a slash.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by RCer »

I'm 5ft 4inches. How does a person sleep on that seat? It looks to be far to short.
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Big Boy
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by Big Boy »

I'm over 6' 5" (and it's been said taller when laying on my back :oops: ) - with great difficulty I'd imagine.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by Nereus »

How thick are those seat cushions, Buksi? Difficult to tell from a photo, but they appear to be a bit thin.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by HHTel »

You don't sleep on the seat as it is. It makes up a bed with the opposite seat.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by Big Boy »

I realise that, but it still looks very short.
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buksida
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by buksida »

HHTel wrote:You don't sleep on the seat as it is. It makes up a bed with the opposite seat.
Correct, it converts into a bed, only a dwarf would be able to lie down horizontally on that seat!

Seat cushions were fine, it was more comfy than the sprinter simply for the fact you can stretch your legs fully.
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Re: RE: Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by hhinner »

buksida wrote:
HHTel wrote:You don't sleep on the seat as it is. It makes up a bed with the opposite seat.
Correct, it converts into a bed, only a dwarf would be able to lie down horizontally on that seat!

Seat cushions were fine, it was more comfy than the sprinter simply for the fact you can stretch your legs fully.
"... only a dwarf..." Must be a bit shorter than the old ones then.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by RCer »

Ah, thanks
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by Dannie Boy »

All I can say is that if you travel in one of these new trains, they look a darn sight better than the old ones


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Big Boy
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by Big Boy »

Just seen one of the new trains for the first time whilst walking through the car park at Hua Hin Hospital. It was certainly an improvement to the eye compared to the old rolling stock, but there was something (couldn't work out what) that didn't look quite right.
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by J.J.B. »

A friend of mine posted this during an overnight trip recently, it seems this is how the sleeper configuration works out.
IMG_0051.JPG
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Re: First look at Thailand's sleek new express trains

Post by PeteC »

I wonder if they use the seat arm to stand on to get into the upper bunk?
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