Hi folks,

I have a friend coming to visit in Feb '11.

He is considering flying into Malaysia, or perhaps even S'pore, and taking a scenic train ride up to Central Thailand.

Is this possible, and if so, is it enjoyable or tedious?

Any idea how many days it would take?

Is it safe?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Yes it is. I plead a bias ,I love trains.Have done this trip many times on visa runs, in the past. He has many options. You can take a train from S'pore, K.L. or Butterworth.To Bangkok. 1. The Orient Express,is one of the great rail journeys of the world. Sadly, it is SERIOUS money, which I could never afford , could only dream of doing it. 2. Sleeper trains , first or second class are very good.If you travel second class, you have the choice of upper or lower berth, air or non air. I would always choose a lower, especially if you need access to the toilet during the night. If he travels from S'pore, I would break the journey  at Butterworth, and spend a day or two in Penang.especially if he likes Indian food. Little India is very interesting and has excellent food. Chulia street  or surrounds  is the most favoured location for accomodation.Depending on the state of your finances.Then the train from B.W. to Bkk. is a leisurely one day trip.Trains in T'land are not renowned for excessive speed!!!.But are very safe.You have many options.Depending on time constraints, you can also have a layover in Hat Yai. I never tired of doing this trip.If he does it ,jealous i will be.L.O.L..Unfortunately, as an old age pensioner ,residing in the wilds of Buriram, my long distance travelling days are gone.Best of luck to him. I trust he will have a most enjoyable journey

Yes it is. I plead a bias ,I love trains.Have done this trip many times on visa runs, in the past. He has many options. You can take a train from S'pore, K.L. or Butterworth.To Bangkok. 1. The Orient Express,is one of the great rail journeys of the world. Sadly, it is SERIOUS money, which I could never afford , could only dream of doing it. 2. Sleeper trains , first or second class are very good.If you travel second class, you have the choice of upper or lower berth, air or non air. I would always choose a lower, especially if you need access to the toilet during the night. If he travels from S'pore, I would break the journey  at Butterworth, and spend a day or two in Penang.especially if he likes Indian food. Little India is very interesting and has excellent food. Chulia street  or surrounds  is the most favoured location for accomodation.Depending on the state of your finances.Then the train from B.W. to Bkk. is a leisurely one day trip.Trains in T'land are not renowned for excessive speed!!!.But are very safe.You have many options.Depending on time constraints, you can also have a layover in Hat Yai. I never tired of doing this trip.If he does it ,jealous i will be.L.O.L..Unfortunately, as an old age pensioner ,residing in the wilds of Buriram, my long distance travelling days are gone.Best of luck to him. I trust he will have a most enjoyable journey

It took Thaivisa about two longest days to reset itself, so to enable me to be able to type my response. At any rate, I used to take the train from S'pore to Bkk regularly without stopping overnight at Butt. The first class accommodation provided shower facility as well as dinning car.

Perhaps, the age and personal preferences of travel accommodation would have alot to do with traveling with delight and comfort. How old is the lucky gent anyway?

If the gent is still very much young at heart and would like to see some differential in Malay vs Thai cultural entertainment differences, he definitely should stop with overnight layover at Haad Yai or Hatyai, rather than at Penang.

Besides, it is also alot cheaper and more exciting spending a night in Haad Yai.

In terms of safety, as far as I can remember, it is pretty safe for Farang, Chinese, Malay and Thai to travel by train from S'pore to Bkk or beyond.

Thanks afarang and mkawish.

Very much appreciated.

My friend is 49, but quite young at heart and has enjoyed traveling around Asia when he had the chance.

He's not a super experienced traveler, but probably more so than most Americans.

He does enjoy varying Asian cultures as far as I can tell.

Sounds like it might be his cup of tea.

Thanks so much

.... will pass the info along.

Thanks afarang and mkawish.

Very much appreciated.

My friend is 49, but quite young at heart and has enjoyed traveling around Asia when he had the chance.

He's not a super experienced traveler, but probably more so than most Americans.

He does enjoy varying Asian cultures as far as I can tell.

Sounds like it might be his cup of tea.

Thanks so much

.... will pass the info along.

My pleasure. I hope enjoys his travels as much as I did

Its an enjoyable ride, no sense of rush rush. Relax enjoy a cold one and look out the window or read a book. Georgetown is worth a stop, very funky historic and great food.