State Railway of Thailand

Having recently holidayed in Thailand I thought that I would write about the railway system there, as I was browsing the Travel sections looking for inspiration. I made a few jounryes in Thailand on the trains, feeling that they are generally safer than buses, because of the terrible way that people drive there! Most of my trips originated in Bangkok's Hualamphong train station (easily reached by taxi or tuk tuk, but mostly cheaply reached by MRT, ie the Underground!), a station with severl platforms, plenty of places to buy food and drinks, and, most importantly, helpful English-speaking staff! Disappointingly, every train journey I made ...  Read the complete review

Trains in Thailand My wife and I spent 4 months in Thailand late 2004 to early 2005, during this time we took several trips on the trains including Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Bangkok Nong Khai. We found the trains to be a great way to travel particularly over long distances and overnight. The times we travelled from Bangkok we bought our tickets through travel agents in the Khoa San Rd area, it’s worth shopping around, as there is a difference in prices on offer. Its possible to buy tickets at the main station but this involves a trek across the city to and from the station so for the few Baht saved the convenience of a travel agent wins over. ...  Read the complete review

When in Thailand in March this year I had occasion to use the train for several different journeys, with very few complaints. The first trip I made was quite a common one I think, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, second class, leaving at 7:40pm and arriving at 9:05am. This cost only 611 baht and being second class gave a bed in a carriage. I was actually very impressed with the layout; I was on a top bunk, in a carriage with perhaps 5 or 6 such compartments. The beds lie along the wall, the bottom seats become one bed (like on a barge) and then a top bunk folds down. Curtains give privacy, the nice train man makes the bed when you ask and unmakes it in the morning. The ...  Read the complete review

I travelled from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the express sleeper train June 2000. I have just taken that journey again November 2002 and have added additional information to the review. The train system in Thailand is simple. There is the Regular train which stops at everywhere, the Rapid which stops at most stops and the Express which stops only at major stations. The Regular train carries no surcharge but the Rapid and Express do, speed costs - even slow speed! For time keeping, the train normally does leave on time but then like all train services it is in the lap of the gods if it delayed or not. The journey takes 12 hours in ...  Read the complete review