Travel in Thailand - Train vs Plane

**tango** · 15-02-2007, 12:20 AM

My advice is to take the 2nd class aircon sleeper but book at least 2 weeks in advance to secure a lower berth. The lower berth is wider than the upper, has a picture window to admire the Thai countryside, and does not have the aisle ceiling lights glaring over the top of the curtain preventing your getting to sleep, but more importantly you have room to bring your luggage into the sleeping area behind the curtain. Leaving your luggage outside all night is too tempting for thieves. Oh, and watch out for the little olde Thai ladies who will claim your lower berth the second it is made up by the porter. Hot air rises as a rule, so it gets overly warm and hummy in the upper berth. Have always travelled 2nd class aircon, but only lower berth after a miserable night 16 years ago crammed into an upper berth. For what it's worth.... Thai train travel has got to rate worldwide as value for money. INHO the 1st class roomettes are akin to jail cells so I avoid them. Cheers...

**Fabian** · 15-02-2007, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by Wallace

The chances of surviving a train crash are probably a lot higher than those of a plane crash. Trains have not been noted to fly 30,000 feet above the ground.

So why are there so many deaths at any train crash?

**themook** · 16-02-2007, 07:21 AM

I am looking forward to a train ride from BKK to Nong Khai stopping at The Ancient City in between.
Will cross into Laos (hopefully) and enjoy the Capital City. Trains rock, IMHO.

**Marmite the Dog** · 16-02-2007, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by themook

The Ancient City

Which one?

**klongmaster** · 17-02-2007, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by tango

INHO the 1st class roomettes are akin to jail cells so I avoid them. Cheers...

Originally Posted by themook

I am looking forward to a train ride from BKK to Nong Khai

a few years ago I took the train from Bkk to NK...travelled 2nd class a/c sleeper...top bunk

...

after I found my seat I wandered along the platform - train was still in the station - to the dining car and found all the staff sitting there...asked them if it was open and they said sure come on in...ordered a couple of beers - one for me and one for the boss - after the train left the staff came down to change the seats into sleepers...the boss arrived and had a quiet word in my ear...wondered if I'd like a girl for the night!..well I was right surprised and asked where could I take her...he assured me it was no problem cause the girls rent the first class sleepers and then commission the staff to tout for them...my first experience in 'amazing thailand'...

**Skulldigger** · 20-02-2007, 09:38 PM

If you find yourself on the train from Surat to BKK, and meet the little Chang man, say hi from me.

He will entertain throughout the journey by bellowing 'chang chang beer, chang chang beer, chang chang chang chang beer' (to the tune of jingle bells). If you are lucky he will also do impromptu blind man impersonations staggering all over the carriage...

The only downside is he will drink a few beers on your tab. But he works so hard with the entertainment we found it was worth it.

**Fabian** · 25-02-2007, 04:36 PM

A thai or a farang?

**donmeurett** · 27-02-2007, 09:04 PM

any one have pictures of interior of trains as well as your trips ??

don

**daveboy** · 27-02-2007, 11:39 PM

**donmeurett** · 28-02-2007, 11:53 AM

Thanks for the pictures. Looks much nicer than i thought it would.

don

**ukexpat** · 02-04-2007, 10:06 AM

Ah the train! The guy facing me on the overnight kept staring at me in a psycho sort of way, then proceeded to fart all night. It was a long night. Got to Pedang Besar, unloaded and the train went. Where was the onward train? 'Flooded line, no train'. What happens now about onward travel and ticket refund? 'No speak English, sorry'. Had to get a taxi back to Hat Yai, stay in a poo hotel for the night and flew back to Bangers the next day. No Visa, No luck. I flew the next day to Penang. Guess which one I would pick in future?

**Wallace** · 02-04-2007, 10:14 AM

Well, that sounds pretty unfortunate. I've done that journey many many times and never had a problem. It's a bit odd to have flooding at this time of year - wsa it recently? Personally, I don't venture beyond Padang Besar if I'm doing a visa run - there's a return train to Hat Yai about an hour after the Bangkok train gets in, but seems you were unlucky.

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