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ANALYSIS | by Michael Bridge

With the current soaring fuel costs coupled with chaotic airports, maybe it is worth looking at the region’s trains as an alternative means of getting around.

OK, it may take longer but it will be more of an adventure and will most likely save you a lot of cash too.

Thailand has been taking delivery of new rolling stock and has been upgrading its rail systems and train travel is an effective way of getting around.

With new equipment, it's comfortable, safe, cheap, environmentally friendly, and unlike flying it's a genuine Thai experience. 

The train is the best way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and train+ferry or train+bus is the best way from Bangkok to Ko Samui, Phuket , or Krabi. 

International travel 

You can now also travel internationally from Bangkok-Vientiane, Bangkok-Cambodia or Bangkok-Penang-Kuala Lumpur-Singapore by train, too.

The only direct train service from Bangkok to Singapore is the Eastern & Oriental Express which is a fantastic service but awfully expensive and the trains run infrequently. Single fares are around US$6,000.

The 1,233-mile journey to Singapore takes 48 hours using regular Thai and Malaysian train services, and costs around $80/£55 including a sleeper. 

To travel by rail from Bangkok to Singapore using regular services then you need to catch five different trains. 

It is possible to buy tickets online and the best website to use is www.seat61.com

https://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Padang_Besar_station_information

Here you can see videos of the carriages, the sleeper beds and all the timetables.

A few years ago, I travelled back to Bangkok from Butterworth after getting a visa in Penang. I took the sleeper, and the carriages were excellent.

You can also take the Johor Bahru-Gua Musang-Tumpat overnight train which also has modern 2nd class sleepers, marketed as Standard Night. 

However, if you don’t wish to spend a couple of days watching the countryside go by on the trains, then you can head to the queues at the airports.

At today’s rates a return flight from Bangkok to Singapore will set you back approx. THB10,500.

That flight leaves at 17.45hrs and returns at 10.45hrs so you don’t get much time there.

You could save THB3,000 if you are prepared to depart at 07.00 but you would fly via Phuket on the way to Singapore arriving at 12.45hrs and your return also departs at 07.00hrs via a stop in KL.

Doesn’t sound very relaxing to me

So going to Singapore from Bangkok by train with a return ticket is THB6,630 cheaper.

And remember you sleep one or even two nights night on the train and not in an expensive Singapore hotel.        
             
Important COVID-19 update:  Trains are running within both Malaysia & Thailand. Cross-border trains between Padang Besar & Hat Yai have been suspended but resume as from 15 July 2022. The Padang Besar-Bangkok International Express may also resume shortly, to be confirmed.
JB Sentral-Woodland’s cross-border shuttle was suspended but resumed 19 June 2022. Due to electrification work trains to/from JB Sentral were temporarily suspended but resumed from 19 June 2022.

Masks must be worn. Restrictions may apply on foreigners entering Malaysia.  Restrictions may apply to crossing the Thai/Malay and Singapore/Malay border, please check.
 

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37 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand has one of the best meter-gauge rail systems in the world and train travel is an effective way of getting around.

Really! If this is true I have learned something new. Maybe a resident train spotter on the forum can confirm this very bold statement.

 

I was under the impression from the few times I used the trains in Thailand that they often broke down, were late and substandard.

I would like to make a comment here but I would be permanently banned...So pass!!!

3 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Really! If this is true I have learned something new. Maybe a resident train spotter on the forum can confirm this very bold statement.

 

I was under the impression from the few times I used the trains in Thailand that they often broke down, were late and substandard.

Your information is correct 

"Michael Bridge" clearly hasn't travelled on the Thai trains and has no idea what he is talking about.

Travel with the original train from 1850 that stops at every 500 meter to make a journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani in 1 day.....(own experience)....High speed line not finished and new trains are scheduld  for 2050.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The 1,233-mile journey to Singapore takes 48 hours using regular Thai and Malaysian train services, and costs around $80

CHOO CHOO ????

 

Sounds like a family friendly way to travel. 

 

I like trains better than buses or planes because I can stretch and walk around easier.

 

I assumed that Singapore is naughty because their airport code is "SIN", but there's things to do there for families with kids...

https://www.timeout.com/singapore/kids/the-best-things-to-do-for-kids-in-singapore

 

9 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Travel with the original train from 1850 that stops at every 500 meter to make a journey from Bangkok to Surat Thani in 1 day.....(own experience)....High speed line not finished and new trains are scheduld  for 2050.

Last time I travelled on the Southern line the train was late around 4 hours...to the point that I had to find a hotel willing to check me in after 12 am. It is what it is and it did the job but among the best in the world....lol.

This article is Thailand's answer to Condé Nast?

4 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Really! If this is true I have learned something new. Maybe a resident train spotter on the forum can confirm this very bold statement.

 

I was under the impression from the few times I used the trains in Thailand that they often broke down, were late and substandard.

The clue is in the term "meter gauge". I just had the best cup of I have had today......the only one! ????????

My journey to Surat Thani from Hua Hin in overnight executive class was not an experience I would repeat again. I skipped my return and flew to Bangkok and took a taxi back to hua Hin.  

Those rickety rattlers from the 19th century they call trains, No thank you, I'll fly...

7 minutes ago, Archie Baker said:

My journey to Surat Thani from Hua Hin in overnight executive class was not an experience I would repeat again. I skipped my return and flew to Bangkok and took a taxi back to hua Hin.  

Why what was the problem with the overnight train?

4 hours ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Really! If this is true I have learned something new. Maybe a resident train spotter on the forum can confirm this very bold statement.

 

I was under the impression from the few times I used the trains in Thailand that they often broke down, were late and substandard.

Not forgetting the common derailments

It's a shame Rail in Thailand has taken so long to get ...not much better.  Bangkok to Chumphon should be less than 3 hours by train, Surat Thani 4 hours.  Instead it takes about 3x that time.  Also a shame they don't have a passenger/auto train where you can load your car for the trip-- I can dream.

Chiang Mai to Bangkok is a ridiculous 18 hours unless it breaks down. 

Similar to the Rajastan 'Express' in India which takes 18-24 hours from Delhi to Mumbai.

Just fly ✈ 

Have used the overnight trains to Khon Kaen, and Butterworth, Penang, from here many moons ago.

 

Was quite relaxing as I recall, apart from being shaken awake several times as we traversed over points. Copious amounts of draft Singha (available at that time) certainly helped, though.

I'm an avid railroad fan – something about trains appeals to me.  About twenty years ago I used to travel long-distance Thai trains in Second Class air con sleepers quite a bit.

 

But then a few years went by and cell phones came on strong.  Last two times I tried Second Class sleepers there were cell phones pinging, dinging and ringing all bloody night long.  Worse, when they rang, folks found it necessary to answer them and carry on (highly hearable) phone conversations.  Took the romance right out of train travel for me.

 

After that I took a few trains, but only First Class when I paid a supplement to have the cabin to myself.  However, the ambience of being in Second Class (seriously, I liked it – vendors walking down the aisle peddling food/souvenirs at the stops, people watching, etc.) was gone.  </rant off>

Those first class sleepers used to have air con like an ice box.

the last upgrade was donation of some 50 years old locomotives from Japan.

Previous to that, yet before pandemic, were chinese sleepers on chiang mai and nong kai route.

 

train to vientianne is to a terminal some 13km before town, just across border. So you still need change to songtow. https://www.seat61.com/Laos.htm

 

to phnom penh one weekly train was suspended at the beginning of covid. I don't think it's reinstated.

 

thailand has only some 5 railway lines (with some of them  branching). There is only some several thousand km of rail track.

but why not use buses, often direct to destination.

 

as to flying - prices to singapore will have to fall when there would be more airlines, and the budget one, competing for passengers. There use to be for some 2k one way airfare, sometimes at half price on sale

 

 

My experience of Thai trains is “ Never Again “ !!!!!

39 minutes ago, internationalism said:

the last upgrade was donation of some 50 years old locomotives from Japan.

Previous to that, yet before pandemic, were chinese sleepers on chiang mai and nong kai route.

 

train to vientianne is to a terminal some 13km before town, just across border. So you still need change to songtow. https://www.seat61.com/Laos.htm

 

to phnom penh one weekly train was suspended at the beginning of covid. I don't think it's reinstated.

 

thailand has only some 5 railway lines (with some of them  branching). There is only some several thousand km of rail track.

but why not use buses, often direct to destination.

 

as to flying - prices to singapore will have to fall when there would be more airlines, and the budget one, competing for passengers. There use to be for some 2k one way airfare, sometimes at half price on sale

 

 

I once flew to Singapore from Thailand for 3,000 baht return that’s when I was getting 55 baht to the  £.  I flew from Krabi outwards and flew back to Bangkok on my return those were the days I doubt they will ever return not for me anyway as I’m getting on in life 

Not in need of visa runs myself but I can vouch for the ease and pleasantness of first class train to Chiang Mai or to KL, Malaysia. Planning a rail journey to KL then up to Genting Highlands not too far down the track for a week or so of relaxation and golf. Genteel way to travel with very little stress, enjoying delicious Malay cha or cold beers in the open dining car on the KL train while the kampongs pass by is wonderful.

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine from Samui tried to book a night train from Surat Thani to Bangkok online to no avail, so he went to a travel agent, who informed him that "due to Covid" he could not book on line and had to go to Surat Thani railway station and purchase a ticket there!

 

So he would have to get a ferry from Samui, a bus from Donsak to Surat Thani railway station to possibly be told that there were no seats availble, so he would be stuck in Surat Thani all night!

 

Additionally, the trains from Butterworth to Bangkok are regularly 2 or 3  hours late at Surat Thani - sometimes longer.

 

Another "inconvenience" is the fact that a few years ago one of the Railway Company employees while drunk/high on drugs killed a young girl and threw her off the train, with the result that no alcohol is now available on the train or even in the buffet car while having a meal. If you are on holiday, for most of us, having a drink is part of the attraction, and having to forcibly abstain on a 12 hour train journey is to my mind not conducive to the holiday experience of a lifetime in "Even more Amazing Thailand"!  

59 minutes ago, wpcoe said:

I'm an avid railroad fan – something about trains appeals to me.  About twenty years ago I used to travel long-distance Thai trains in Second Class air con sleepers quite a bit.

 

But then a few years went by and cell phones came on strong.  Last two times I tried Second Class sleepers there were cell phones pinging, dinging and ringing all bloody night long.  Worse, when they rang, folks found it necessary to answer them and carry on (highly hearable) phone conversations.  Took the romance right out of train travel for me.

 

After that I took a few trains, but only First Class when I paid a supplement to have the cabin to myself.  However, the ambience of being in Second Class (seriously, I liked it – vendors walking down the aisle peddling food/souvenirs at the stops, people watching, etc.) was gone.  </rant off>

never ever go anywhere in Thailand (or most any country) without a set of ear plugs and/or headphones....they will offer you some protection from crowing roosters, sober and drunk falangs babbling on and on,  people talking incessantly on cell phones, barking dogs, bad music, crying babies, roaring motorbikes, etc etc.....

1 hour ago, huangnon said:

Have used the overnight trains to Khon Kaen, and Butterworth, Penang, from here many moons ago.

 

Was quite relaxing as I recall, apart from being shaken awake several times as we traversed over points. Copious amounts of draft Singha (available at that time) certainly helped, though.

"Copious amounts of draft Singha (available at that time) certainly helped, though."

Not any more though due to a "knee jerk reaction" to an unforgivable act by one of its employees - see my previous post - 2 above this one!

Since when was there a bus service through the three pagodas pass to Dawei ???

 

Which is what is shown on the map ?

Thai trains are a bit like Bangkok buses. 

 

You don't need to have used one to know they suck. A cursory glance is sufficient.

 

I'll stick to planes thanks.

I prefer to take the train before I consider flying to be torture (for somebody tall).

Last train journey here was torture, an 'express' which took over 12 hours from Ubon. Stopped at almost every station for vendors to get on selling water and food on a stick, window jammed wide open and doors dangerously tied back. Last carriage with the back a gapping connection space with just a bit or string across it. Never again.