BKK to Chumphon on Sleeper Train

[RickThai]

Anyone ever take the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chumpon? I understand they have a overnighter with sleeper berths that arrives early in the AM.

I'm thinking about taking the train to Chumpon and doing Seatran to Koh Tao.

Any advice on the wisdom of doing this? Cost?, etc.

Thanks.

RickThai

[Mid]

https://teakdoor.com/thailands-travel...k-pattaya.html (Penang Hat Yai Chumphon Bangkok Pattaya Jomtien)

https://teakdoor.com/thailands-travel...tml#post424058 (Penang Hat Yai Chumphon Bangkok Pattaya Jomtien)

[dirtydog]

TeakDoor.com - The Thailand Forum Thailand Train Timetables Southern Line

[Albert Shagnastier]

Excellent trip. If you're going to Koh Phangnan or Samui, easier to go all the way to Surat Thani as you arrive a little later in the morning and don't have to hang around too much for the first boat out. The beds are very comfortable in the second class air con.

[RickThai]

After checking out the trip report, I'm not so sure about the train. The beds look like something used for deep-frying large fish. I can imagine the noise is pretty much unbearable as well, considering the normal train sounds, and Thai's yakking all night (not too mention falongs snoring away as they sleep it off).

Thanks for all the good info though. Now I have a realistic idea of what to expect.

I'll show the videos to my wife, and I'm pretty sure that will kill the idea of the train trip.

Thanks to all who responded.

RickThai

[alwarner]

^how tall are you?

I found them OK at 6ft2. The Thais seem to get their heads down fairly early too. Farangs - not so much.

[armstrong]

yeah get stuck in a carriage full of thais be happy. a carriage full of backpackers... well good luck in sleeping at all.

it used to break down a lot so don't cut the time too fine. I'd stop at surathani too tbh.

edit: a couple of years back they were trying to push Lang Suan as a port. they used to pick me up at the train station and take me straight there. dunno if that is still happening or not?

[taxexile]

they make the beds up at about 7pm and most people are fast asleep by 9pm.

generally its not a noisy trip, and the beds are comfortable, the rocking of the train will soon put you to sleep.

take your own food, the train food is bad, and the toilets can be a bit tough if youre not used to basic amenities.

trains are a good way to see the country, the rolling stock is a bit tired but daytime trips are scenic and there can be some good interaction between the passengers.

open windowed 3rd class or 2nd class fan is preferable to air con with closed windows, but for sleepers go for air con.

first class cabins are private, 2 berth and quite comfortable.

[Bettyboo]

I agree with the above, have a couple of beers, relax and watch the scenery/chat with mates, etc, then early to bed early to rise - it's fine; quite nice in fact.

[mingmong]

only done BKK > Cnx sleeper 3 times and Chon Burrie > Cambo day Trip, but yea senic as and cheap!

I found it hard to sleep on the sleeper, lights left on [safety necessity] and party in the Bar was good

but Toilets empty straight thru plumbing at the Station! Third [Turd] world

[dirtydog]

I can imagine the noise is pretty much unbearable as well

8 large chang beers and you will sleep like a baby.

[Camel Toe]

The AC is too cold for these bones. I bought a 1st class ticket my first time and ended up with a seat I found in second class. Bring a sweater. But I have made the trip about 10-12 times. I always go sleeper with fan. Sometimes it's noisy and sometimes not. We had these pseudo Rastas on board once who sat up all night drinking and talking about their hair. Worse than any yacky Thai alive.

[terry57]

I've done that trip untold time over the years so here is the drill.

Book a 2nd class sleeper bottom berth as you get the window and can sit up when the bed is made up purving out the window. Just relax, have a few beers whilst having a meal and enjoy the trip.

The top bunk is shit as there's no window and if the tosser in the bottom bunk wants to got to bed your obliged to do the same.

The Train arrives in Chumphon around " 3.30 AM ", its a really shitty time and you have to sit around for many hours before you actually leave for Koh Tao. Fuk that.

I gave that away years ago and now book into a nice hotel, spend the day cruising around Chumpon and leave the next day for Tao.

Its a holiday anyway so no rush is there.

Some nice beaches just outside Chumphon so just cruise on mate .

[terry57]

We had these pseudo Rastas on board once who sat up all night drinking and talking about their hair. Worse than any yacky Thai alive.

That trip is always full with scank Backpackers. Tossers everywhere.

Usually there OK but one does run the risk of having a tight horrible Israeli flogger next to you.

[Albert Shagnastier]

The AC is too cold for these bones. I bought a 1st class ticket my first time and ended up with a seat I found in second class. Bring a sweater. But I have made the trip about 10-12 times. I always go sleeper with fan. Sometimes it's noisy and sometimes not. We had these pseudo Rastas on board once who sat up all night drinking and talking about their hair. Worse than any yacky Thai alive.

lol - yup - 1st class is freezing

[RickThai]

Starting to think I might give it a go, but hitting Chumpon at 3:00 am doesn't sound that great. Maybe we'll fly down to Chumpon and take the train back to BKK. That way we can see the sights and don't have to worry about where to stay when we hit Bkk (I have relatives there.

We ride the BKK to Phitsanluk a fair amount and its not too bad (unless you're sitting next to some Thai men sucking Mekong and H2O for the entire trip).

Alas the advice about quaff a beer or two, is not for me. Although I loved my Newcastle in my time, end-stage liver disease and a liver transplant pretty much put a stop to my drinking days.

Still thanks for all the good information.

Regards,

RickThai

[Yemen]

Butterworth to Surat Thani with sleeper. Great trip and slept like a baby. Recommend train to everybody.

[RickThai]

Butterworth to Surat Thani with sleeper. Great trip and slept like a baby. Recommend train to everybody.

I am going to Koh Tao first, wouldn't Chumpon be better for the ferry?

[Gerbil]

The crappers are like something out of a horror movie though

[terry57]

Butterworth to Surat Thani with sleeper. Great trip and slept like a baby. Recommend train to everybody.

I am going to Koh Tao first, wouldn't Chumpon be better for the ferry?

If you go to Surattani you can either go direct to Tao on the slow boat night ferry which leaves around midnight and arrives early morning. You don't want to do that unless your a Backpacker.

The other way is the milk run Via Koh Samui, Koh Phan-gan and then onto Tao arriving in the afternoon.

You can do that as the Hydro ferry is modern and comfortable but these can be wild waters at times and one always runs the risk off having a shit trip due to conditions. Be warned. This route is still quite a trek.

The quickest route is Via Chumphon.

[terry57]

The crappers are like something out of a horror movie though

I've traveled all through out Thailand by train and have yet to encounter a dirty shitter .

I'm talking covered in Shit which is a regular occurrence when traveling India.

Thai train shitters are quite acceptable I would say and spotless by comparison.

[farmerfloyd]

Take the around 7:00 evening from Bangkok to Chaing Mai arrive early morning for breakfast for price of cheap hotel in Bangkok . Loved it much better then Bus and met lots of travelers from Europe.

[Gerbil]

met lots of travelers from Europe.

One good reason not to do that.

[aging one]

Take the around 7:00 evening from Bangkok to Chaing Mai arrive early morning for breakfast for price of cheap hotel in Bangkok . Loved it much better then Bus and met lots of travelers from Europe.

Dude he is going the opposite direction.

[terry57]

met lots of travelers from Europe.

One good reason not to do that.

Yep, traveling north or south out of Bangkok and the trains are full with Backpackers.

Take the train out towards Ubon Ratchatani and one will meet some cracking local Thai people.

Great trip.