Train in Thailand

Hey everyone

How are the Trains in Thailand?? What about the prices, fx Changi Mai
to Bangkok??

Thanks in advance
Jimmi, Denmark

Fun. We did CM to Bkk a few years ago and it was about the same price as
flying but a much better way to see things. It might be cheaper to fly now
but you'll miss the fun. The best bit was when the sleeper in the adjoining
compartment (this was 1st class) fell off the wall but we're easily amused!
If you travel on a train, buy your food from the stalls at stations, rather
than the train. The dining car was at the opposite end of the train from us
and the food was cold and the beer was warm when it got to us.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey everyone

How are the Trains in Thailand?? What about the prices, fx Changi Mai
to Bangkok??

Thanks in advance
Jimmi, Denmark

don't know exact price, but it's cheap and good.
There's a good sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, so you can save a
night.


For accomodation i recommend in Bangkok the Chanti Lodge. Despite that LP
says that the people over there are a little bit unfriendly, i had a very
good time ther, twice. It's a few minutes with tuk-tuk from touristic
Koh-San road.
Atmosphere is very good, with all day lounge music playing.

Was also in Chiang Mai, its indeed touristic, but liked the city very much.
Wat Doi Suthep is superb, if you are lucky enough that there aren't a lot of
other tourists over there. Also a very good night market. Did a day trip to
the Golden Triangle, is nice but look around for prices, they can drop a lot
....


Don'y know if you have other plans allready?

Can also recommend Sukothai or Ayuthaya (the first is the best one), rent a
bike and see the old architecture.
Also a good visit is the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang. In
this centre there's an elephant hospital and they show you what elephents
did for work in the forest ( nowadys it's forbidden). The hospital is a
little sad to see, not because of the circumstances, but the kind of
elephant you can see. But they do get a good aid. You can also make a ride
on the elephant or (and that is really cool, do a 1,2 or 3 day mahou course
where you get your 'own' elephant and learn the commands of an original
mahout!
In this centre are also the royal white elephant, but off course the
'normal' people aren't allowd to see them..


For other advice: in Thailand i found the TAT very helpfull and nice with
good information. (like train schedules etc..)


--
(\__/)
(O.o )
( )~

Maus

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey everyone

How are the Trains in Thailand?? What about the prices, fx Changi Mai
to Bangkok??

Thanks in advance
Jimmi, Denmark

oops...must be Shanti Lodge...


"Maus" wrote in message
...
don't know exact price, but it's cheap and good.
There's a good sleeper train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, so you can save a
night.


For accomodation i recommend in Bangkok the Chanti Lodge. Despite that LP
says that the people over there are a little bit unfriendly, i had a very
good time ther, twice. It's a few minutes with tuk-tuk from touristic
Koh-San road.
Atmosphere is very good, with all day lounge music playing.

Was also in Chiang Mai, its indeed touristic, but liked the city very
much.
Wat Doi Suthep is superb, if you are lucky enough that there aren't a lot
of
other tourists over there. Also a very good night market. Did a day trip
to
the Golden Triangle, is nice but look around for prices, they can drop a
lot
...


Don'y know if you have other plans allready?

Can also recommend Sukothai or Ayuthaya (the first is the best one), rent
a
bike and see the old architecture.
Also a good visit is the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang. In
this centre there's an elephant hospital and they show you what elephents
did for work in the forest ( nowadys it's forbidden). The hospital is a
little sad to see, not because of the circumstances, but the kind of
elephant you can see. But they do get a good aid. You can also make a ride
on the elephant or (and that is really cool, do a 1,2 or 3 day mahou
course
where you get your 'own' elephant and learn the commands of an original
mahout!
In this centre are also the royal white elephant, but off course the
'normal' people aren't allowd to see them..


For other advice: in Thailand i found the TAT very helpfull and nice with
good information. (like train schedules etc..)


--
(\__/)
(O.o )
( )~

Maus

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey everyone

How are the Trains in Thailand?? What about the prices, fx Changi Mai
to Bangkok??

Thanks in advance
Jimmi, Denmark

schrieb


How are the Trains in Thailand?? What about the prices, fx Changi Mai
to Bangkok??


Seat 61 is alsways a good choice for info about trains in several
countries:
http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm


State railway of Thailand (including timetable, fares, check for seat
availability):
http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

I don't know the route Chiang Mai to Bangkok, but Bangkok down to Surat
Thani / Trang. It's always fun on this route, because you meet other
travelers, either in the restaurant car or on the way back to your seat.

General advice:
- Airconditioned trains are COLD, at least when travelling a long distance
like CM - BKK.

- Airconditioned 2nd class, upper berth: can be torture, since the outlet
of the A/C is something like just 50cm away from you, only separated by a
curtain with enough possibilities to let COLD air through to you.

- Airconditioned Trains tend to be used as advertising-object: 2nd class
windows can't be opened and are printed with advertisements from the
outside. But: you can see through them, since the print is rastered.
Attention: it might be highly disturbing to you looking out of the window
and seeing everything passing by blurry and rastered!

- Sleeping might be difficult because of the train shaking and making nice
noises all night long (...and not to forget: because of the A/C .

- Fares are cheaper than flying, but you have to consider much more time!
(BKK - Trang: 16h for 845km; BKK - CM: 12..14h for 750km)

If you chose train: let us know how you enjoyed the ride!

cu, tmo!

I can't recall the exact price - about seven quid for second class bottom
bunk. Train arrived an hour or so late but made up the time. Easy journey
very comfirtable. Generally trains are cheap and OK. Good English spoken at
Hualamphong Station - and you can also book moat journeys (exepct third
class) before
wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey everyone

How are the Trains in Thailand?? What about the prices, fx Changi Mai
to Bangkok??

Thanks in advance
Jimmi, Denmark