Railway travel in Thailand

"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I am planning a visit to Thailand next January, and my schedule will be:

3 or 4 nights Bangkok (3 or 4 star hotel)
train to Chiang Mai
3 or 4 nights Chiang Mai
fly to Bangkok and, same day, train to Hua Hin
3 or 4 nights Hua Hin
train to Bangkok and fly home (to UK)

I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

You may want to take the train for the experience, but otherwise, bear in
mind that currently you can fly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai for
US$25-30
pretty much any time just by showing up at the airport. There are discount
flights every couple hours and the airlines sell seats on a walk-up basis.
In the domestic departure hall at BKK you can find AirAsia, Orient Thai,
and
Nok Air ticket sales booths for show-up-and-go passengers. Also Thai does
it
for just a little bit more, and they have hourly flights.

Not sure if the situation will be the same in January (airlines could
collapse or withdraw from this highly competitive route market) but this
seems a little early to be planning minutiae that far into the future.

miguel

If I wanted to fly I would have asked about flying. And the header would not
be Railway travel in Thailand.

Tony

"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I am planning a visit to Thailand next January, and my schedule will be:

3 or 4 nights Bangkok (3 or 4 star hotel)
train to Chiang Mai
3 or 4 nights Chiang Mai
fly to Bangkok and, same day, train to Hua Hin
3 or 4 nights Hua Hin
train to Bangkok and fly home (to UK)

I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

You may want to take the train for the experience, but otherwise, bear in
mind that currently you can fly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai for
US$25-30
pretty much any time just by showing up at the airport. There are discount
flights every couple hours and the airlines sell seats on a walk-up basis.
In the domestic departure hall at BKK you can find AirAsia, Orient Thai,
and
Nok Air ticket sales booths for show-up-and-go passengers. Also Thai does
it
for just a little bit more, and they have hourly flights.

Not sure if the situation will be the same in January (airlines could
collapse or withdraw from this highly competitive route market) but this
seems a little early to be planning minutiae that far into the future.

miguel

If I wanted to fly I would have asked about flying. And the header would not
be Railway travel in Thailand.

Tony

"Nisse PowerMan" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

So, do I have to struggle through the city soon after arrival to
purchase
the reservation? Or might my hotel be able to arrange this? (At a
price?)
Can it be done by telephone?

I would welcome any recent first hand experiences.

Tony


HEY! I took the same train in March 2001 and it was a great ride. But it
was FREEZING cold. On the day of departure it was raining, still the AC
of the diesel railcar was on full speed, bring warm clothes should it be
cold.

I made a stopover in Phitsanulok to se the very special buddha statue
there. Ticket was 681 THB including the stopover, a direct ride on SP9
Bangkok-Chiang Mai cost 481 THB at that time. SP9 is all 2:nd class AC.
Breakfast and lunch is served and included in the ticket price. Same
food for Farangs as for Thais. Tea and coffee is also available.

Toilets are a problem, they usually stop working after some hours so
plan your train trip.

Train departed Bangkok 08.25 and arrived 19.25 in Chiang Mai. The part
from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai goes trough mountains, very beautiful.
The line passes two mountain ranges with several tunnels and over a
plain in between.

OF COURSE there is NO NEED to buy tickets long time in advance, better
up, now the Bangkok Subway opened and the end station is Hualompong
train station. Thus you can VERY easily get to the train station and buy
the tickets 1-2 days in advance, it's a piece of cake. Do it yourself,
it's the best solution.

That's really helpful - thanks!

As a matter of interest, I have heard that the Thais tend to keep the blinds
down to keep out the sun, and so watching the scenery is problematic? This
was occasionally a problem with AC2 in India, but at least on Indian trains
people open the doors to look out!

I've never been to Thailand. Is English spoken at the ticket office? Are the
queues Western European style, or of the Greek variety? ;-) And how long!?

Tony

"Nisse PowerMan" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

So, do I have to struggle through the city soon after arrival to
purchase
the reservation? Or might my hotel be able to arrange this? (At a
price?)
Can it be done by telephone?

I would welcome any recent first hand experiences.

Tony


HEY! I took the same train in March 2001 and it was a great ride. But it
was FREEZING cold. On the day of departure it was raining, still the AC
of the diesel railcar was on full speed, bring warm clothes should it be
cold.

I made a stopover in Phitsanulok to se the very special buddha statue
there. Ticket was 681 THB including the stopover, a direct ride on SP9
Bangkok-Chiang Mai cost 481 THB at that time. SP9 is all 2:nd class AC.
Breakfast and lunch is served and included in the ticket price. Same
food for Farangs as for Thais. Tea and coffee is also available.

Toilets are a problem, they usually stop working after some hours so
plan your train trip.

Train departed Bangkok 08.25 and arrived 19.25 in Chiang Mai. The part
from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai goes trough mountains, very beautiful.
The line passes two mountain ranges with several tunnels and over a
plain in between.

OF COURSE there is NO NEED to buy tickets long time in advance, better
up, now the Bangkok Subway opened and the end station is Hualompong
train station. Thus you can VERY easily get to the train station and buy
the tickets 1-2 days in advance, it's a piece of cake. Do it yourself,
it's the best solution.

That's really helpful - thanks!

As a matter of interest, I have heard that the Thais tend to keep the blinds
down to keep out the sun, and so watching the scenery is problematic? This
was occasionally a problem with AC2 in India, but at least on Indian trains
people open the doors to look out!

I've never been to Thailand. Is English spoken at the ticket office? Are the
queues Western European style, or of the Greek variety? ;-) And how long!?

Tony

"Nisse PowerMan" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

So, do I have to struggle through the city soon after arrival to
purchase
the reservation? Or might my hotel be able to arrange this? (At a
price?)
Can it be done by telephone?

I would welcome any recent first hand experiences.

Tony


HEY! I took the same train in March 2001 and it was a great ride. But it
was FREEZING cold. On the day of departure it was raining, still the AC
of the diesel railcar was on full speed, bring warm clothes should it be
cold.

I made a stopover in Phitsanulok to se the very special buddha statue
there. Ticket was 681 THB including the stopover, a direct ride on SP9
Bangkok-Chiang Mai cost 481 THB at that time. SP9 is all 2:nd class AC.
Breakfast and lunch is served and included in the ticket price. Same
food for Farangs as for Thais. Tea and coffee is also available.

Toilets are a problem, they usually stop working after some hours so
plan your train trip.

Train departed Bangkok 08.25 and arrived 19.25 in Chiang Mai. The part
from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai goes trough mountains, very beautiful.
The line passes two mountain ranges with several tunnels and over a
plain in between.

OF COURSE there is NO NEED to buy tickets long time in advance, better
up, now the Bangkok Subway opened and the end station is Hualompong
train station. Thus you can VERY easily get to the train station and buy
the tickets 1-2 days in advance, it's a piece of cake. Do it yourself,
it's the best solution.

That's really helpful - thanks!

As a matter of interest, I have heard that the Thais tend to keep the blinds
down to keep out the sun, and so watching the scenery is problematic? This
was occasionally a problem with AC2 in India, but at least on Indian trains
people open the doors to look out!

I've never been to Thailand. Is English spoken at the ticket office? Are the
queues Western European style, or of the Greek variety? ;-) And how long!?

Tony

Tony Day wrote:

"Nisse PowerMan" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

So, do I have to struggle through the city soon after arrival to
purchase
the reservation? Or might my hotel be able to arrange this? (At a
price?)
Can it be done by telephone?

I would welcome any recent first hand experiences.

Tony


HEY! I took the same train in March 2001 and it was a great ride. But it
was FREEZING cold. On the day of departure it was raining, still the AC
of the diesel railcar was on full speed, bring warm clothes should it be
cold.

I made a stopover in Phitsanulok to se the very special buddha statue
there. Ticket was 681 THB including the stopover, a direct ride on SP9
Bangkok-Chiang Mai cost 481 THB at that time. SP9 is all 2:nd class AC.
Breakfast and lunch is served and included in the ticket price. Same
food for Farangs as for Thais. Tea and coffee is also available.

Toilets are a problem, they usually stop working after some hours so
plan your train trip.

Train departed Bangkok 08.25 and arrived 19.25 in Chiang Mai. The part
from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai goes trough mountains, very beautiful.
The line passes two mountain ranges with several tunnels and over a
plain in between.

OF COURSE there is NO NEED to buy tickets long time in advance, better
up, now the Bangkok Subway opened and the end station is Hualompong
train station. Thus you can VERY easily get to the train station and buy
the tickets 1-2 days in advance, it's a piece of cake. Do it yourself,
it's the best solution.

That's really helpful - thanks!

As a matter of interest, I have heard that the Thais tend to keep the blinds
down to keep out the sun, and so watching the scenery is problematic? This
was occasionally a problem with AC2 in India, but at least on Indian trains
people open the doors to look out!

I've never been to Thailand. Is English spoken at the ticket office? Are the
queues Western European style, or of the Greek variety? ;-) And how long!?

Tony

I can not recall any problems with blinds.

Yes, at the ticket reservation office they speak english, no problems at
all.

I think I got a number in the queue, I just sat down and waited for my
turn, asked for the tickets I wanted, it was all over in less than 5
minutes. Very easy.

Ask for Window, then you can control the blinds yourself, or maybe there
were no blinds, only curtains, I think there were only curtains.


/Anders



--
Remove the obvious part before replying by mail please!

Tony Day wrote:

"Nisse PowerMan" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I wish to
use
train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang Mai. I have found
a
website offering tickets in advance by mail, but at a ridiculous price.

So, do I have to struggle through the city soon after arrival to
purchase
the reservation? Or might my hotel be able to arrange this? (At a
price?)
Can it be done by telephone?

I would welcome any recent first hand experiences.

Tony


HEY! I took the same train in March 2001 and it was a great ride. But it
was FREEZING cold. On the day of departure it was raining, still the AC
of the diesel railcar was on full speed, bring warm clothes should it be
cold.

I made a stopover in Phitsanulok to se the very special buddha statue
there. Ticket was 681 THB including the stopover, a direct ride on SP9
Bangkok-Chiang Mai cost 481 THB at that time. SP9 is all 2:nd class AC.
Breakfast and lunch is served and included in the ticket price. Same
food for Farangs as for Thais. Tea and coffee is also available.

Toilets are a problem, they usually stop working after some hours so
plan your train trip.

Train departed Bangkok 08.25 and arrived 19.25 in Chiang Mai. The part
from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai goes trough mountains, very beautiful.
The line passes two mountain ranges with several tunnels and over a
plain in between.

OF COURSE there is NO NEED to buy tickets long time in advance, better
up, now the Bangkok Subway opened and the end station is Hualompong
train station. Thus you can VERY easily get to the train station and buy
the tickets 1-2 days in advance, it's a piece of cake. Do it yourself,
it's the best solution.

That's really helpful - thanks!

As a matter of interest, I have heard that the Thais tend to keep the blinds
down to keep out the sun, and so watching the scenery is problematic? This
was occasionally a problem with AC2 in India, but at least on Indian trains
people open the doors to look out!

I've never been to Thailand. Is English spoken at the ticket office? Are the
queues Western European style, or of the Greek variety? ;-) And how long!?

Tony

I can not recall any problems with blinds.

Yes, at the ticket reservation office they speak english, no problems at
all.

I think I got a number in the queue, I just sat down and waited for my
turn, asked for the tickets I wanted, it was all over in less than 5
minutes. Very easy.

Ask for Window, then you can control the blinds yourself, or maybe there
were no blinds, only curtains, I think there were only curtains.


/Anders



--
Remove the obvious part before replying by mail please!

Tony Day wrote:
"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I am planning a visit to Thailand next January, and my schedule
will be:

3 or 4 nights Bangkok (3 or 4 star hotel)
train to Chiang Mai
3 or 4 nights Chiang Mai
fly to Bangkok and, same day, train to Hua Hin
3 or 4 nights Hua Hin
train to Bangkok and fly home (to UK)

I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I
wish to use train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang
Mai. I have found a website offering tickets in advance by mail,
but at a ridiculous price.

You may want to take the train for the experience, but otherwise,
bear in mind that currently you can fly between Bangkok and Chiang
Mai for US$25-30 pretty much any time just by showing up at the
airport. There are discount flights every couple hours and the
airlines sell seats on a walk-up basis. In the domestic departure
hall at BKK you can find AirAsia, Orient Thai, and Nok Air ticket
sales booths for show-up-and-go passengers. Also Thai does it for
just a little bit more, and they have hourly flights.

Not sure if the situation will be the same in January (airlines could
collapse or withdraw from this highly competitive route market) but
this seems a little early to be planning minutiae that far into the
future.

miguel

If I wanted to fly I would have asked about flying. And the header
would not be Railway travel in Thailand.

Tony

So Miguels reply may not have been any use to you. I'm sure though others
found it very informative.... I for one am going to check out Orient Thai
and Nok Air.

Jan

Tony Day wrote:
"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message
...
Tony Day wrote:
I am planning a visit to Thailand next January, and my schedule
will be:

3 or 4 nights Bangkok (3 or 4 star hotel)
train to Chiang Mai
3 or 4 nights Chiang Mai
fly to Bangkok and, same day, train to Hua Hin
3 or 4 nights Hua Hin
train to Bangkok and fly home (to UK)

I would welcome advice on obtaining train tickets in advance. I
wish to use train 9, which is the fastest day train Bangkok-Chiang
Mai. I have found a website offering tickets in advance by mail,
but at a ridiculous price.

You may want to take the train for the experience, but otherwise,
bear in mind that currently you can fly between Bangkok and Chiang
Mai for US$25-30 pretty much any time just by showing up at the
airport. There are discount flights every couple hours and the
airlines sell seats on a walk-up basis. In the domestic departure
hall at BKK you can find AirAsia, Orient Thai, and Nok Air ticket
sales booths for show-up-and-go passengers. Also Thai does it for
just a little bit more, and they have hourly flights.

Not sure if the situation will be the same in January (airlines could
collapse or withdraw from this highly competitive route market) but
this seems a little early to be planning minutiae that far into the
future.

miguel

If I wanted to fly I would have asked about flying. And the header
would not be Railway travel in Thailand.

Tony

So Miguels reply may not have been any use to you. I'm sure though others
found it very informative.... I for one am going to check out Orient Thai
and Nok Air.

Jan

Tony Day wrote:
If I wanted to fly I would have asked about flying. And the header would not
be Railway travel in Thailand.

Ok, sorry, Your Majesty, your query fee shall be refunded to your account,
and I'll recommend to my manager that I be sent away to rec.travel.asia
retraining camp.

It's just that many people aren't aware of the low-cost flight alternatives
and rule it out in favor of the train on the basis of presumed cost. I
foolishly thought I saw an opportunity to be helpful. Lesson learned.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu