Travelling by train is fun and cheap...

Post by **Vital Spark** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:05 am

We decided to have a night on the town in Hua Hin with our friends. It's a holiday weekend and we knew the traffic would be horrendous, plus the old Cefiro has a mildly suspect water pump problem, so we decided to go by train.

We were planning to take the sprint train (around 250 baht each), but it was full so we took the slower cattle truck. It cost an amazing 33 baht each

, took 3 and a half hours, and we were in Hua Hin around midday.

Coming back on the cheapy train we met some lovely students, Mr.VS could admire the scenery instead of trying to dodge the idiots on the road, and we got back home feeling relaxed.

If we had driven it would have cost at least 1,000 baht in petrol. All in all it cost 132 baht. No wonder the SRT are losing money, but we're not complaining.

VS.

Post by **migrant** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:33 am

Sounds like a nice time!

Can I ask what area you're in?

Post by **kendo** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:54 am

Hi VS,
Have you ever been on a sleeper train in LOS on my next trip over, i want to give the trains ago, you can get a night train from bangers to Surin the journey is around seven hours, so not quick but i would like to give them a try.

From HH to Surin or vise versa, i have hired a mini van just for us but never relax because of the way they drive, the mrs like most thai's is a sleep within minuits, so i just sit pondering if we will ever get there in one piece, when my wife was building our gaff she was on a mini van coming to meet me in the airport and was involved in a fatal crash in Prasat, also when in the same town i have witnessed a young girl die on a bike a victim of water being thrown in sonkran and last but not least we where nearly involved in a pile up 20km from Pattaya the van nearly went into the big storm drain in the central resevation which was a massive drop about 3 meters.

I am so happy to be coming over but want to stay in one piece, try something new and chill.

Kendo.

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 1:57 am

I too thought mr and mrs spark lived in Hua Hin. I now assume you live near Bangers.

The train is a good way to travel and the lack of health and safety means you can lean out the door to take some good video...

Post by **komfortablynumb** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:37 am

the boss & me took the overnight in a first class cabin from Udon thani to BKK.
Was wonderful, The open doors were great for smoking, without p******* any one off.
Electricty in your room for the computer.
It was sad arriving in Bangkok seeing the slums

I seem to remember there wasn't much difference in the price compared to flying.
But a lovely way to travel.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:00 am

Randy Cornhole wrote:I too thought mr and mrs spark lived in Hua Hin. I now assume you live near Bangers.

The train is a good way to travel and the lack of health and safety means you can lean out the door to take some good video...

Here's the new place. Pete

http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/po ... ht=#131571

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:22 am

Ok cheers, thanks for that...

Post by **STEVE G** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:01 am

I always fancied a journey on a Thai train just for the experience, but every time I've mentioned the idea to my Thai partner she looks at me like I've gone barking mad and might need to be shot by the police.

Post by **PeteC** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:18 am

Farangs you may meet on a Thai train trip?

Pete

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:29 am

I've done the cheaper sleeper from HH to HadYai but found it almost impossible to sleep, and felt guilty about roaming around to have a cig. But at least you get to lie down instead of being seated less than comfortably for the duration.
My main gripe with it is the buffet cars close pronto about 10 and everyone is packed off to bed!
IMO first class seat with blanket and snacks is better for that particular trip. Despite the over cool carriages.
(Why do they blast out the aircon and give you a blanket anyway?)

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:44 am

STEVE G wrote:I always fancied a journey on a Thai train just for the experience, but every time I've mentioned the idea to my Thai partner she looks at me like I've gone barking mad and might need to be shot by the police.

I get the same reaction.

Post by **lomuamart** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:52 am

I've taken the overnight trains quite a few times, mainly down south to Sungai Kolok and Butterworth. A couple of times up up to Chiang Mai.
Second class sleeper is fine for me. I find it comfortable enough and generally get a reasonable night's sleep, especially after a few beers in the restaurant car. One piece of advice is to get a lower berth (costs slightly more than upper). I've had all sorts of problems trying to negotiate the ladder to the upper berth at 10.30pm. It can get hotter up there as well if the carriage is not air conditioned.
Train journeys can be slower than the same bus journey, but as has been said, you can walk around, have a shifty ciggie between compartments and the scenery is better from the train.
Two journeys stand out for me. Once, needing to get to Penang for a visa, I had to take first class. Had my own compartment. The were two bunk beds, but no-one else sharing. If I needed food or drink, I just rang a bell and the waiter appeared. There was even a half decent shower in the compartment toilet. The journey cost about 2,200 THB instead of 1,100 for normal sleeper.
The other occasion was once going to Chiang Mai. This time they didn't kick everyone out of the restaurant car at 10pm, but started up some kind of techno disco with a psychedelic light show playing on the walls. Everyone was up and dancing. Arrived in Chiang Mai with a sore head the next day.

Post by **johnnyk** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:11 am

The trains are fine and cheap.
I've done 2nd class air/con to CM, Nong Khai and north-south to B'worth and back. Arriving in CM 9am is a treat.
Beds are quite comfy, clean linens, private enough for a discreet snog and a reading light overhead after the stress has been looked after.

Pay a bit more (only a bit) and take a lower. There's a window to observe stations as you pass through. The uppers are cramped feeling because the roof of the car is curved so you feel a bit tight.
The people are fine, families traveling together who are often friendlier than the falangs many of whom seem uptight about something.
Bring bottled water as the train water is only fit to flush toilets.
Avoid falang brekkie unless you like miked eggs and lukewarm hot dogs.

Post by **Poe** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:26 am

Yep, the GF and I have been all over Thailand on the trains. Will be going again soon to Vientiane, Laos and back.
The only problem we had was a couple of months ago on our way from Hua Hin to Singapore.....on the Hat Yai to Butterworth section the aircon in our car was DEAD...felt like we were slaves being transported to a work camp. (sweatin like a farm animal). And the train was FULL, so no moving to another car.
We got off in Butterworth, and luckily were able to then buy a 1st class ticket on the same train. The next guy in line, who was in our car was not so lucky; he had to wait a few hours for another choo choo or get back on the slave train.....he decided to wait.
For the GF and I, if the trip is over a few hours, I think that 1st class is well worth the extra money.
Also, take a roll of duct tape if going first class.....the aircon can get downright cold and make for a sleepless night......so I use the tape as a thermostat.
Also, here is a website that was recommended on another forum yesterday.
http://www.thairailwayticket.com/Defaul ... language=1

Post by **charlesh** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:50 am

there will be a national holiday when a train can actually keep to a schedule however yes they are fun and cheap including the B'worth "express".
Thank you prcscct for the link. I think I spotted the orange shirts in the restaurant car!
I gather that Thais still travel for free internally in the LOS ??