On a train in Isaan

[somtamslap]

There was me, and a monk, and a peasant-type person who used Beer Leo boxes instead of suitcases. We three were alone in a carriage, the last of eight comprising the train. For one reason or another, today we were all bound for Ubon Ratchathani on the Cambodian border.

The peasant slept fitfully - a small bottle of alcohol could be seen protruding from his right trouser pocket. The monk made notes in a small ledger - he scribbled thoughtfully with a pencil, the tones of his etchings alone were therapeutic, and he, himself, was shrouded in serenity. I studied the scenery out the window. It's always a joy to pass through the North-East Thai countryside. Very much unlike the dramatic swathes of dense vegetation in the south of the country, it was flat, and it was parched and it was dusty and it was barren. It was also the most charismatic part of the world I'd ever been too.

The late afternoon sun hung heavy on the horizon. Asian open-billed storks made sporadic sorties into the ailing paddies, perchance to provide their young with a final meal of the day.

I snap open a can of Chang Classic, my 18th of the day. It's cold, fizzy and thoroughly refreshing. It compliments the journey perfectly. Drinking on trains is up there with life's ultimate pleasures.

Through cupped hands I manage to light a cigarette. I inhale deeply, enjoying the sensation of the smoke being pulled into my lungs. I breath out, the vapor immediately disperses having been sucked through the window.

I close my eyes. This is fucking glorious.

An automated twang stirs me from my slumber...

"The next station is Turnham Green. Change here for the District Line..."

I close my eyes again. Tightly.

[chassamui]

..... and no doubt got a bollocking for smoking on the train

[boloa]

..... and no doubt got a bollocking for smoking on the train

And as from last year no drinking on Trains too...

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/alc...-banned-trains

[stroller]

^
Yeah, but it's Thailand...

[chassamui]

only in his dreams .....

[taxexile]

Mornington Crescent !!!!

[wasabi]

Thanks mate, good on you, My Mary was onto Me about this conversation, " Who you talk to, every night "
Well you see Mary it's TD , and I like to chat to Men from around the world, just like your non stop chatter on Facebook.
There are few women on this site, I know there are adverts but I have trained My mind to ignore them.
She still thinks I am communicating with hot Russian Brides.

[somtamslap]

only in his dreams .....

*sigh*

[somtamslap]

And as from last year no drinking on Trains too...

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !

[somtamslap]

En route to Isaan from Bangkok...



Award winning ales may cost 150 baht a pop in here, but they're worth it!

[chassamui]

^That's more than a 3rd class train fare you overprivileged capatalist farang.

[ltnt]

Slaps a bit like Napoleon banished to the Isle of Alba wasn't it? Corsica? Cept, Slaps stuck on the British side of that banishment with a longer swim to freedom.

Folks keep asking him; "Are you serious? You want to return to Issan?"

Great post that train video...sorry can't green ya.

[somtamslap]

But alas, today I must board the 08.38 to Unpleasantness...

Notice the wannabe ladyman. I'm still uncertain as to the gender of this thing...



A sunny day in South London. Although rain is more becoming of this place...

[somtamslap]

Folks keep asking him; "Are you serious? You want to return to Issan?"

Folks up in this bitch generally have never, ever heard of Isaan.

[ltnt]

Notice the wannabe ladyman. I'm still uncertain as to the gender of this thing...

Folks up in this bitch generally have never, ever heard of Isaan.

You want her we know otherwise you'd not mentioned her...She's coming for dinner tonight and wants to see all your photos of squeelery Issan bitches...perhaps you'll get lucky and get to do the "jackie," on her?

Withers is drooling now...

[somtamslap]

Paddy discusses the nuances of overnight train travel in Siam. Paddy is very thorough. I like Paddy, immensely.

[chassamui]

Did he show 'turd' class? I skipped bit's cos he was boring me with repetition.

[Bogon]

Award winning ales may cost 150 baht a pop in here, but they're worth it!

I prefer when the sun goes down and they transform it into the disco cart with DJ ,mirror ball and even a small lazer show.

[Kurgen]

and Worzel Gummage with a skinhead.

[Topper]

"Then, like watching the beauty of a flash of lightening in the distance and yet dreading the heart rending sound of thunder, I hear the voices of my dreams and nightmares. "

'Boom, please sit down while you play your gameboy, it makes it easier to shovel the fried rice into your mouth' We've got a long journey ahead of us to my job interview in Bangkok. You know it's not everyday that an that Dr. BJ's has an opening and I plan to be that opening! If there was only a drunk farang on the train I could use to hone my skills on before my interview..."

[Agent_Smith]

Took the express to Sisaket. No dining car or first class. Just aircon or no aircon. Only 4 cars. Guess they save the fancy stuff for the overnighters.

Still, not an unpleasant way to travel Thailand.