New train service links Thailand and Cambodia

[webfact]

Extended train route to Sa Kaew’s border with Cambodia begins service

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

The State Railway of Thailand launched service on its extended route to the Cambodian border in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district on Monday morning.

 

The route, which runs from Aranyaprathet railway station to the Ban Klong Luek border checkpoint, also known as Rong Klua Market, commenced service at 6:58 am.

 

The SRT said the extension of the route follows a signing of a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia to link the railways of the two countries. Ban Klong Luek railway station was opened on April 22 and the SRT gave four diesel trains to Cambodia to run from the Cambidian side to the station to allow passengers to travel to Thailand.

 

With the extended route, two trains leave the Ban Klong Luek station to Bangkok and two trains from Bangkok arrives at the Ban Klong Luek station each day.

 

On the first day, about ten Thais bought tickets to Bangkok from the Ban Klong Luek station.

 

The SRT announced that that first train from Bangkok leaves at 5.55am and reaches Ban Klong Luek at 11.17am. The second one leaves the capital at 1.05pm and reaches Ban Klong Luek at 5.27pm. The first train from Ban Klong Luek leaves at 6:58 am and reaches Bangkok at 12.05pm while the second train leaves the border station at 1.53pm and reach the capital at 7:40 pm.

 

Passenger Kamolwan Ketsawatdiwong 72, said he was happy to use the extended train service, which is much more convenient than riding a passenger van or a bus.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30372053

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-07-01

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[ThaiBunny]

Any idea about the cost of tickets and class of travel from Bangkok? Would this be a leisurely way to do a visa run?

[gomangosteen]

Unless they decide on a major upgrade, current service Bangkok-Aranyaprathet is 3rd class

Quote

Train # 275 / 286 "Bangkok - Aranyaprathet"

This is an "ordinary" train. It takes 5h 40min from Bangkok to the terminal station. The departure is early in the morning at 05:55 and arrival time at the terminal station is 11:35. This train consists of several third-class seater carriages. The benches are usually hard and are not divided into individual seats. The car has a fan that does not always work, but it is possible to open the windows.

We were at Sa Kaeo railway station in April, here's pics of the current train, note the open windows (air conditioning!). If would be an adventure, of sorts

 

 

Edited July 1, 2019 by gomangosteen

[Los Luver]

How far is this new station to the Cambodian checkpoint ?

[yellowboat]

Long overdue, but good news just the same. 

[PAIPEN]

Is it possible to buy tickets, to the train, from internet? 

 

[asanee]

NO, of course not, no advance sale at all as its only 3d cl.price around 50 bt/single (free for poor Thai with blueflag card).

Its recycled old news, same item has been on for at least 2 times before.

Bigbonus is that there is a separate Thai immi-office on the platform.

There is (currently again suspended due to ever lasting works|) a 3/week daytime Khmer train from PoitPet (far other side of town-line in between has been bult over-so far for a through train between the 2 capitals) via Battambang to Panom Pehn, takes all day. So for all those Igoonlybytrain aficionado's: an overnight at dreadful PP is needed then-both ways.

[Burma Bill]

As you can clearly see in the background - it will bring gambling punters from Bangkok! For tourists, the onward journey to Battambang and Phnom Penh is currently a "pipe dream" whilst extensive reconstruction takes place. Interestingly, this new line runs across the forecourt of one of the casinos with the rails set in concrete  - like a tramway. Perhaps SRT could name the train "The Roulette" offering "round trip" fares!

[JAG]

2 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

As you can clearly see in the background - it will bring gambling punters from Bangkok! For tourists, the onward journey to Battambang and Phnom Penh is currently a "pipe dream" whilst extensive reconstruction takes place. Interestingly, this new line runs across the forecourt of one of the casinos with the rails set in concrete  - like a tramway. Perhaps SRT could name the train "The Roulette" offering "round trip" fares!

If the track runs across the forecourt of a casino, so the train has to contend with people walking towards the casino entrance and drivers circling/waiting for a parking space, then "Russian Roulette" may be a more appropriate monicker!

[Burma Bill]

Just now, JAG said:

If the track runs across the forecourt of a casino, so the train has to contend with people walking towards the casino entrance and drivers circling/waiting for a parking space, then "Russian Roulette" may be a more appropriate monicker!

Absolutely, you are correct. The punters, vendors with hand carts, and vehicles all have to negotiate the forecourt and no doubt have to "take cover". Reminds me of a recent train ride I made in Rangoon (Burma):-

 

[JAG]

31 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Absolutely, you are correct. The punters, vendors with hand carts, and vehicles all have to negotiate the forecourt and no doubt have to "take cover". Reminds me of a recent train ride I made in Rangoon (Burma):-

 

"Take me somewhere east of Suez,

Where the best is like the worst,

Where there ain''t no Ten Commandments,

And a man can raise a thirst"

[plfomylo]

is it a border than foreigners can cross to stamp their passport ? Can you show it on a map please ?

 

[Thailand J]

1 hour ago, plfomylo said:

is it a border than foreigners can cross to stamp their passport ? Can you show it on a map please ?

 

This should be your last choice for a border run as the Thai immigration office here is not very friendly, and you will be subjected to all kinds of scams.

 

https://goo.gl/maps/SZ2iwjazy4tjmEkH9

 

[wavodavo]

10 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

As you can clearly see in the background - it will bring gambling punters from Bangkok! For tourists, the onward journey to Battambang and Phnom Penh is currently a "pipe dream" whilst extensive reconstruction takes place. Interestingly, this new line runs across the forecourt of one of the casinos with the rails set in concrete  - like a tramway. Perhaps SRT could name the train "The Roulette" offering "round trip" fares!

No more bets !!