After a wonderful stay in Chiang Mai, we reluctantly packed our bags again to head back to Bangkok for our flight to Phuket. Nothing much to say here, but wanted to document a little bit about the sleeper trains in Thailand. Thailand will be the second country in which we have experienced the train network, second to China. The trains in Thailand are not quite as nice and clean as those in China, the ones we experienced anyway, but they are by comparison far roomier. To be accurate, this description only applies to the cabin and seat area itself. We have found when it comes to the bathrooms or dinner cars, any sort of cleanliness or neatness is thrown out the train window.
Unlike trains in China, those in Thailand are not altogether very timely in keeping with their schedule. For example, on the sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, was stated as a 13 hour trip, but turned out to be 16 hours. Not a huge matter for us, but if you have any connecting transportation, this could turn into a real headache. Also, make sure you ask questions and have an awareness about which stop you coming to, as no one really tells you, and they like to push you out the minute the train stops, so there is not a lot of time when it comes to discerning whether your desired destination is the current or not.
Your journey begins with upright seats, and as the evening hour approaches the attendant will come by, and perform a pull down service for both the upper and lower birth, putting down sheets, blankets, pillow cases and curtains.
Our train tickets were purchased directly from the State Railway of Thailand website. The pair of our tickets each way was about 1,600 Baht. There is a slight price difference between upper and lower birth, but if you are buying tickets in pairs, they assign one of each automatically. If you are buying solo, DEFINITELY buy the lower birth if possible. Upper is very narrow and the lights, which aren’t turned off at night glare in your face as you try to sleep.
Website: http://www.thairailwayticket.com/Default.aspx?language=1
ENJOY THIS MAGICAL HAPPENING – THIS IS MORE THAN A TRIP – BEATS THE TODAY SHOW AND GOOD MORNING AMERICA STAY SAFE LOVE YOU
Keep checking back Roberta! Miss you and so glad you are following along. Hope you are keeping Westover in proper order for us, with board elections and all!
Its an eye opener seeing how uncommon things in the US are very common in the rest of the world. Hope you're enjoying it.
You betcha Rusty! We see something new and quizzical each day, and to get answers to the string of questions that follow is a rarity. The world clings to her mysterious beauty.
Sleeper trains/buses are my worst nightmare! Honestly, I would almost rather stay sitting up the whole time. How did it go for you? At least they made your bed for you! The one I was on was literally the size of a coffin and you would bump your head everytime the road was a bit bumpy.
Hey Smita! We can only compare to the sleeper trains in China, but for the purpose they were both acceptable, and I say that loosely. I can't stand sitting upright, without being able to at least stretch my legs and walk around for more than 6 hours or so. The compartments in the Thai sleeper train were roomier than their Chinese countparts, although the upper berth was very narrow in terms of width. The Thai train was also configured initially as upright seats, and then as sleeping time approached, would be converted into beds by the train staff. Biggest complaint about Thai trains, they don't stick to the rigid and reliable schedules you might find in China. On either leg of our Bangkok to Chiang Mai journey we were between 3 and 4 hours late.
I’d just like to say that Thailand is incredible to say the least, I loved each minute of beqing there. I went with a few close friends on a trip. It was perfect for us, and I can honestly say it would be perfect to your experienced tourists… or unexperienced. So you must go to Thailand! 😉