Orient Express in Hua Hin

Post by **niels** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:00 pm

Every now and then the Orient Express passes Hua Hin on it's journey to the South. Upcoming Wednesday, June 17th, approx. 3 PM, the Orient Express will stop at our beautiful Hua Hin railway station, be it only for a couple of minutes... It's a pity there is not some 5 minutes guided tour or so.

Post by **buksida** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:11 pm

Nice tip, I'll rock up with the camera to get a few shots. You don't happen to have a timetable do you? It would be handy to know when it comes through for future reference.

Post by **niels** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:29 pm

Yes, you're right... no timetable. The station master of the Hua Hin railway station confirmed it was not on regular intervals, probably limited to commercial use. No idea were to look for the timetable. Found some timetables at the Thomas Cook website, but... only available after payment. Maybe via travel agencies?

Post by **moja** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:50 pm

if you do a search for Eastern and Orient express you will get some timetable details. Some sites include the HH stop on their time tables others do not.

However from past experience the times are very fluid, remember once seeing the train pass by some 5 hours after the scheduled time!

Post by **Sabai Jai** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:55 pm

I used to see it quite often when i lived at Rai noon as I used to walk along the platform / path to the top of the Market as the road is so busy and dusty now.

It was usualy just after sunset - 6:15 to 6:30 pm ish

Nice to see it - it's quite an attractive Train..but the thing that always struck me was just how miserarable the rich buggers on it looked!

SJ

Post by **Roel** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:08 pm

You guys are seriously looking for a THAI timetable???

I can imagine the passengers on board who paid big bucks to be there would not be in favour of a 5 minute guided tour.

I saw the Orient Express once - many years ago - in Hua Hin. Quite impressive indeed. Certainly worth a photo shoot. I remember there was an "open" carriage (but covered with a big glass half-tube) that functioned as some sort of bar/cocktail lounge. The people in there were clearly visible and certainly looked like the in Thailand so desired "quality tourists".

Post by **Lung Per** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:27 pm

Oh mah Gawd -, thanks for the tip. I'd fancy a trip myself. Can one board this caravan of exquisite plush luxury in Hua Hin? Is one of the waggons really a fish tank?

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:52 am

Mid afternoon is good timing for photos. It always used to pass through HH about sunset every other Sunday during high season. Often late, so most of the blinds were down in the carriages by then as the passengers changed for dinner!
I saw it moored up in HuaLamphong once, and with the higher platform it had there it was easy to peek through the windows.
Price reported in the Sunday Telegraph travel supplement 2 weeks ago was not far short of 4000 stirling for the full Singapore/Butterworth/Kanchanaburi/Bangkok trip. Including top hotel accommodation in S'pore, Bangkok and Kanchanaburi of course.
Never seen anyone board it in HH, although it must be an option for anyone eager to save a few quid on the total journey price. Why anyone would want to do that I don't know, but will report back when I win the lottery.

Post by **STEVE G** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:23 am

Earlier in the year I was eating in one of the railway side restaurants and the Orient Express was at the station for quite a while.
I haven't a clue if it was a scheduled stop or not.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:24 am

August '98 travelled up to Bangkok from Kuala Lumpur.

Used KTMB Malaysia First Class and SRT Thailand Second Class sleeper - total fare $US 25 each through ticket!

Same track, same views and 26 hours of relaxation - ok had to change trains at Bukit Mertajam which involved a 45 minute stop.

Whilst waiting, the E&O passed through. Lots of tally ho, toodle pips paying rip off prices for the same journey.

OK - yes it's an experience and a 5 star hotel on rails. If you've got the money and the time and fancy it - then do it.

But to me it's a bit like driving a Bentley when a Honda would do.

Hey - but it's a free world and each to his own

Post by **thehamok** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:45 am

http://www.orient-express.com/web/eoe/eoe_a2a_home.jsp

Read all about it here.

Pity I won't see it when im in Hua Hin next August

Post by **johnnyk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:01 am

I bet traveling 2nd Class a/c sleeper with Thai families, their parcels and boxes, with cold Chang is much more fun. I don't want to be locked up with rich, stuffy white people talking about their grandchildren or how much their house is worth back home.

Post by **johnnyk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:03 am

Roel wrote:You guys are seriously looking for a THAI timetable???

I can imagine the passengers on board who paid big bucks to be there would not be in favour of a 5 minute guided tour.

I saw the Orient Express once - many years ago - in Hua Hin. Quite impressive indeed. Certainly worth a photo shoot. I remember there was an "open" carriage (but covered with a big glass half-tube) that functioned as some sort of bar/cocktail lounge. The people in there were clearly visible and certainly looked like the in Thailand so desired "quality tourists".

Thailand Elite Card members, no doubt.

Hua Hin Forum

Orient Express in Hua Hin

Orient Express in Hua Hin

Orient Express

Orient Express in HuaHin