Thread: Let the train take the strain

Have done the Bangkok to Chiang Mai by train twice, as we were in no hurry, they did a nice Tom yam Kung before the beds were made up,didn't bother about breakfast, took our own beer, quite nice, clean sheets etc, if staying at a hotel don't stay at the Boss Hotel opposite the station it's a tip, run by scrooge.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

First class from BKK to CNX is pretty nice, no blacked out windows and the toilets are fine, they have showers in the toilets too. You won't see much in the way of interesting countryside, you'll be passing through the most scenic bits at night-time. Be warned that the room is very, very, small. Not that it matters much as they make up the bunks about 2 hours after you get on the train. The aircon is freezing and it's hard to turn it off, it's not a real air-con unit, it's about a dozen of those cold-air nozzles you get on long distance buses and most of them are broken so you can't turn them off. Bring some jammies if you don't want to freeze overnight. Don't worry about beer, vendors walk up and down the carriages selling it at inflated prices (though not as inflated as British Rail or Virgin, 3 quid for a half-size can of Stella!, Cnuts!). Stay away from the restaurant car, it's full of khao-san fake-dreadlocked backpacking mummy-financed gap-year wankers bollocking on about how their fried egg is authentic Thai cuisine and even in a country as laid-back as Thailand you can still get up to two months in jail or a 500 Baht fine for killing them. The restaurant staff will bring the same overpriced crap food they sell in the dining car to your compartment anyway. Best to bring your own food and beer but otherwise 1st class is fine. If you go 2nd class air-con or fan it's important to remember that you'll be sleeping in an atmosphere of hippy-farts and beer-bellied Saxon snoring. Remember though that plane fare is not much different to 1st class rail fare and it only takes an hour to get from BKK to CNX by air.

all what he said we did the first class from bk to cm, would,nt let us up to the club car [bar across the bloody door] they did bring the piss to us,and i met a beaut irishman who was in much the same err boa..no train who also was looking for a drinking comapanion till the nazi train staff came and told us to desist in the frivolities, bastards!! so from now on fuck it i fly..

Originally Posted by Begbie

Go second class non aircon. The aircon on the train is so strong you could hang meat. Second class you can rub shoulders with your fellow travelers have a few beers and watch the world go by.

You're right about 2nd class being preferable to those freezing aircon cars. Years ago, I would take the night train from BKK to Nong Kai or Chiang Mai. The sound of the rolling train and the cool wind were sublime, especially after a few beers. I've got to disagree with you about the rubbing shoulders part. One evening, some asshole from France (where else?) became upset that he had to 'listen' to Queen's greatest hits emanating from my wifes headphones. From her f*cking headphones! It was a true moment of schadenfreude for me as he mumbled angrily to his friends. The sneering Eurotrash and backpacking culture-Nazis on those trains served only one purpose - to remind me why I left the West in the first place.

Agree with Dr Bob.
Done it a couple of times and liked it.
BUT the last time we wanted to do it the trains had been canceled 'cos of bugs eating customers or something. That was a while back mind.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Stay away from the restaurant car, it's full of khao-san fake-dreadlocked backpacking mummy-financed gap-year wankers bollocking on about how their fried egg is authentic Thai cuisine and even in a country as laid-back as Thailand you can still get up to two months in jail or a 500 Baht fine for killing them. .

Fok,

I used to be one of those backpacking bastards minus the dreadlocks, the gap year and mummy paying for it, I foking hate them as well.
Bobby's correct, a lot of them are friggin muppets and they shit me.


Actually I'm still a backpacker and use trains all the time as its a brilliant way to travel, Friggin sad innit that Ive turned into a bent and twisted bastard like Bobby.


OH well, I'm of to book a train to Khon Khan but I'm foked if im going in the restaurant car.

OK,

Ive traveled the length of South East Asia a few times and have quite a bit of experience about train travel from Singapore to Bangkok all through the North East and back to Bangkok again.

Ive never ever had a problem getting a beer as the crew are doing laps with a huge fok of bucket full of ice, cool drinks and beer. You'll pay a few baht more than the 7-11 but who gives a fok eh.?? Always a shite load of food being trotted out as well so you aint going to starve.

2nd class aircon can chill down so be prepared, bring a foking jacket, a small plane blanket and an mp3 player just in case theres some backpacking French bastard who wants to jaw on about the ring he has just had inserted in his scrotum.

If you are not on a mission and just want to have a gander at Thailand I strongly suggest you travel slowly from town to town stopping in each one to check it out.

I travelled the North East doing just this last year, travelling approx 3 hours between towns and travelling in 3rd class with the punters. Because you are only travelling 3 hours its not a problem to travel this way as you get to meet some very interesting people and get a handle on things.

Give it a crack mate, its great fun, just prepair your self and do a bit of home work.

Good luck.

PS. brilliant web sight. " man in seat 61"

Thanks for all the advice lads. I'm still trying to convince Mrs Jyy that it's a good idea. The problem is, she's started to get used to air travel, so I've got some convincing to do. Either that, or tell her it's the train, or I'll go alone,(Now there's an idea!!!). I remember a couple of good bars in CM.