Bkk - Surin: Different Train Classes?

[Kf6vci]

Hi All, there areso many different berths and seats available. Have you tried some? Can you recommend one? Khun krap!

[ercorn]

I have just booked the train to Surat and I was advised that the 2nd class sleeper is pretty good.Some trains have 2 nd class sleepers with or without A/C .I was told that if its a night train without A/C is o.k because they turn the A/C down so low it gets pretty cold.

I diidn`t go first class ,wasn`t really an option as it would nearly be cheaper flying and as I have plenty of time thought I would do something different.

Anyway I will let you know as it`s my first time on a Thai train (besides the Skytrain )

Edited August 15, 2007 by ercorn

[asanee]

differs per train, class and day or night.

Basically there are 3 classes, though not all trains have all 3.

1st cl. is only SLEEPER, 2 berths/cabin (you share with same sex person if sinle), and as the trains aims to reach Ubon, will set oy down very early/mid of night. Near as expens. as lowcost flites (except that Surin does not have any). Just 1 car on the prime express.

3d cl is the workers express: hard wooden or plastic seats, 2+3 abreast, mainly non-reserved, trains to isan are always full to overflowing. The very slow daytime local(=all stops) trains tend to have only this.

2nd cl comes in quite a variety:

seats: either with/or without AC, basic busseats, plastic, not at all nice

Berths: also either with/or no AC, Isan can get quite cold in wintertime at night, the usual system.

the site seat61.com has more info+ pix of all this though it negates usually the negative aspects of train-travel.

The DAYtime quicker sprinter trains tend to have only 2d cl/AC-seats

[the gent]

The " sprinter " service to Surin is oxymoronic but has the irresistible attraction of departing Hualamphong at the very civilised time of approx 1110 hrs even though it eventually trundles into Surin nearly 7 hours later. It comprises only 3 carriages and is very popular but seats, all reclinable and arranged in rows of 2, can be pre-booked and are universally priced at around 350 Bt for a one way trip. Boarding the train inevitably has its moments of faffing around generally provoked by the seeming inability of the Thai to find the right carriage and seat number corresponding with their ticket details.

The rolling stock, a metaphor for Thai railways engagingly branded as the ' winged bogey ', is getting old and unreliable.The efficiency of the aircon varies from carriage to carriage but in times of failure overhead individually controlled fans can provide relief. A limited hot food and drinks menu is touted early in the journey by the carriage attendants but when this is delivered further up the line it is invariably luke warm. Nevertheless, it is efficient and most folk seem to get what they wanted and evidently satisfies the Thai need to be no more than 2 hours from sustenance at any one time and at advantageous prices.

The journey itself is no more than pleasant: the early tedium of emerging from Bangkok's sprawl gives way to featureless plains that become more interesting when it ascends the Khorat escarpment and the gradient steepens amidst encroaching jungly bits. After Khorat it's rice paddies all the way but overall the trip is relaxing and a better alternative to the ubiquitous bus.