As i pass the station quite often(i am one of those not of the simple life ,car ,house ,wife ,son in uni ,ect ect ect ) i sometimes see a farang waiting for a train ,perhaps its you ,next time i will blow my horn 

Hello viewers!

Thankyou all for your " kind words ".

Travelling by train in Thailand is " an adventure " and i go off on many little adventures viewers.... Now one of my popular trips is to take a stroll to Pattaya Railway Station and greet my friend the " station master " and take the 14.30 train to Bangkok's Hua Lampong station.(31 baht) Once you arrive it's time for a " fresh n' up " ( 3 baht ) and then purchase your ticket for the next train to Ayutthaya ( 15 baht ) sit back and relax with " the wind in your hair " viewers.The train staff and Ayutthaya Railway staff offer a wonderful service ( i even get a personal VIP escort to the train ...) So for 69 baht you have travelled from Pattaya to Ayutthaya inc a 3 baht fresh n up !!! how amazing is that viewers? 

Then " the excitement continues " as i find a simple room for the night by the railway station for about 150 baht and then up nice and early the next morning and rent a bicycle for the day ( with basket & bell ) for about 30 baht. I would then take the afternoon " river cruise " for 150 baht ( most extravagant ....) but wonderful and i get to get some great photos too! 

Here are some photos: 

 

Farang Jaidee x  ( Please note viewers that the " 3 baht fresh n' up " is optional ....) 

Hello viewers!

Thankyou all for your " kind words ".

Travelling by train in Thailand is " an adventure " and i go off on many little adventures viewers.... Now one of my popular trips is to take a stroll to Pattaya Railway Station and greet my friend the " station master " and take the 14.30 train to Bangkok's Hua Lampong station.(31 baht) Once you arrive it's time for a " fresh n' up " ( 3 baht ) and then purchase your ticket for the next train to Ayutthaya ( 15 baht ) sit back and relax with " the wind in your hair " viewers.The train staff and Ayutthaya Railway staff offer a wonderful service ( i even get a personal VIP escort to the train ...) So for 69 baht you have travelled from Pattaya to Ayutthaya inc a 3 baht fresh n up !!! how amazing is that viewers? 

Then " the excitement continues " as i find a simple room for the night by the railway station for about 150 baht and then up nice and early the next morning and rent a bicycle for the day ( with basket & bell ) for about 30 baht. I would then take the afternoon " river cruise " for 150 baht ( most extravagant ....) but wonderful and i get to get some great photos too! 

Here are some photos: 

 

Farang Jaidee x  ( Please note viewers that the " 3 baht fresh n' up " is optional ....) 

Nice whistle the stationmaster has

I always enjoyed travelling by train in Thailand and even a 6 month railpass in India did not get too boring.

Trains are a good way to travel and for some reason once you are in the carriage you are a part of everyone's family.

Well, when you've got no where to go and all day to get there, a slow train to nowhere sounds like a wonderful day... Well done... 

 

Edited August 15, 201411 yr by Loptr

^^^

One of my favourite quotes is "When you don't know where you are going, any road (train) will take you there" ... :)

 

I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your thread, CS, but I thought I'd offer a  little perspective. Yesterday I took a day return from a city in the North of England to London. Cost: £216. The return trip was not that quick, either. We were delayed 35 minutes when the train departed late waiting for the "train manager". Thankfully my employer was paying.

 

 

Bit of a Reginald Perrin moment....."Eleven minutes late, seasonal manpower shortages, Clapham Junction".

 

Or my personal favorite...."Twenty-two minutes late, badger ate a junction box at New Malden"

 

My favourites were train late due to leaves on the rails, and the best one on an unseasonal warm day around the 30 c mark train delayed because heat causing rails to buckle, wonder how they manage in Australia, Thailand or Africa maybe different rails 

Was at an above rail station in London many years ago and all the trains were delayed the announcer came on the speaker and said in a broad Irish accent all the trains  (blurb ba brurt) no one understood a word he said, so i went into the box where he was speaking from and told him that no one understood a word he said, he looked at me and slowly and deliberately said FOR THE PERSON THAT COULD NOT UNDERSTAND MY LAST BROADCAST, THE TRAIN NOW COMING ARE FOR  blur blur blur  and at that moment the people platform erupted into gales of laughter, but we still had no idea where the train was going to, but I got applause from the people for at least having ago.

 

 

I hope you don't mind me jumping in on your thread, CS, but I thought I'd offer a  little perspective. Yesterday I took a day return from a city in the North of England to London. Cost: £216. The return trip was not that quick, either. We were delayed 35 minutes when the train departed late waiting for the "train manager". Thankfully my employer was paying.

 

 

Bit of a Reginald Perrin moment....."Eleven minutes late, seasonal manpower shortages, Clapham Junction".

 

Or my personal favorite...."Twenty-two minutes late, badger ate a junction box at New Malden"

 

My favourites were train late due to leaves on the rails, and the best one on an unseasonal warm day around the 30 c mark train delayed because heat causing rails to buckle, wonder how they manage in Australia, Thailand or Africa maybe different rails 

Was at an above rail station in London many years ago and all the trains were delayed the announcer came on the speaker and said in a broad Irish accent all the trains  (blurb ba brurt) no one understood a word he said, so i went into the box where he was speaking from and told him that no one understood a word he said, he looked at me and slowly and deliberately said FOR THE PERSON THAT COULD NOT UNDERSTAND MY LAST BROADCAST, THE TRAIN NOW COMING ARE FOR  blur blur blur  and at that moment the people platform erupted into gales of laughter, but we still had no idea where the train was going to, but I got applause from the people for at least having ago.

 

There is a rail line (built in 15 months) The hundred kilometers or so from Perth to Mandurah.  Normal speed (They are ordinary electric trains) is 140 km/hr but there are a few days every summer with the Temperature round 45 degrees that they have to reduce speed to 110 for safety.

I always remember waiting for the train from " Kanchanaburi to Thonburi ( BKK) a few years back and after waiting a few hours i strolled over to the " our man on the platform " and said " excuse me my friend - any news on the train coming from Namtok ?"

he said " we have problem mister " i said " what problem ? " and he replied " Train from Namtok go missing mister "

 

Classic                

Ever been told that you missed the next train ? Seems there is a first one and a next one and that's the one I missed. Luckily there was a third one ....:)

 

I always remember waiting for the train from " Kanchanaburi to Thonburi ( BKK) a few years back and after waiting a few hours i strolled over to the " our man on the platform " and said " excuse me my friend - any news on the train coming from Namtok ?"

he said " we have problem mister " i said " what problem ? " and he replied " Train from Namtok go missing mister "

 

Classic                

Visit a friend who was a stationmaster in Austria at work.

The  train from Switzerland did not arrive so after a lot of phone calls they found out the train was stuck at some points because the person who had to change the points (and aparently was the only one who could) was drunk and had passed out.

So Swiss trains do not always run on time either....at least it was not like this...http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/498880/Train-derails-into-ravine-Switzerland

Is it possible to get aircon for 1 more baht ?

 

Or no aircon in the train ?

 

No aircon on the Pattaya train.

 

Tip #1 The last car on the train usually has soft seats, all others are hard bench seating.

 

Tip#2: You can also get off at the Pattaya Tai station which has no station house.

 

Tip #3 There is usually a sontheow waiting for the arrival at Pattaya station. It goes past soi Buakhow all the way to the beach.

Edited August 15, 201411 yr by 96tehtarp

Ever been told that you missed the next train ? Seems there is a first one and a next one and that's the one I missed. Luckily there was a third one ....

 

If you miss your train you cannot change your ticket. This should only be a problem on long haul more expensive 1-2 class trains which are more expensive. I've had to buy a new ticket after I missed a train by 5 minutes at Bang Sue station. It cost me about 800 baht.

No Canarysun

Nice posting and nice to see someone happy and so enthusiastic.....

Being positive is the best way.... Enjoy your train journeys, I would love to go on the Orient Express maybe one day I will..

Cheers

Best thread I've read in a while - it's all because of canarysun's unmitigated enthusiasm and complete lack of any negativism. I hope I can speak for others when I say, keep it coming, mate, keep it coming.

Can you take a small motorcycle on a train as freight?

The station and its gardens is a credit to its StationMaster as many stations are.  Why is it that railway people can take such care of their stations worldwide.

I used to live in SW London , a part of Surrey called Thames Ditton, the Train station there was immaculate, the Ststion master took a real interest in the place and always had a great show of plants and in the waiting room, there was magazines and jigsaws for the kids...

Unfortunately Ron died about 5 years ago... But he was a credit to the Ststion and SW Trains..

Can you take a small motorcycle on a train as freight?

 

Yes. I've never done it but have seen them in the cargo cars. For serious inquiries ask a few days ahead at the station.

Hello again viewers!

Travelling by train in Thailand has never been so much fun! When i travel it's never about the journey time,it's about the most scenic route! Its exciting too! You have plenty of leg room,you can eat,and meet new friends and stroll about while " in motion ".

Nearly all train stations have toilet facilities ( some may charge a 3 baht fee ) and the larger stations have " shower facilities " too! (but no towels provided) The railway staff are generally very helpful and " delighted to have a farang onboard " 3rd class ordinary trains you can buy a ticket normally 30 minutes before departure.sleepers and aircon seats on busy routes are better to book in advance! On longer journeys i would recommend the " Special Express " trains they are smoother with less stops and a bit more comfortable.2 hour journeys then i find the 3rd class ordinary trains are fine.You can take a motorbike on the trains for a small fee ( get to the station well in advance! ) and i have seen a few farang taking there bicycle on The Pattaya train - ideal for taking a bike ride out in the countryside.But remember viewers most of the time the trains stop in the stations for " only 2 minutes " so you have " no time to  bugger about " ( kind respect where due ladies..)  I have attached some more photos that have taken of the Pattaya - Bangkok train stopping in Si Racha Junction.

" all aboard viewers ! " 

 

Farang Jaidee 

Fantastic thread.  I love riding trains, but have to admit I've not done this here in Thailand yet.  It's on my "to do" list now!

 

My main focus here on Thaivisa.com is the travel forum.  Maybe we could pin something like this topic over there and have others add their pics and experiences also?  I'll moderate it and from time to time perhaps take off comments that don't add much to the thread.  Like this one! 5555

 

Let me know what you think.  I can also get it added to the newsletter for a wider audience.

Yes that sounds like " a cool idea ".I have quite a lot of experience in what is my ongoing project " The Great Train Journeys Of Thailand ".I think that travelling about " on a budget " seems to be very popular.Most of my knowledge comes from " Backpackers " these people have a huge input into my adventures and you will meet all these wonderful people when you start and share information and tips!

Also essential tips:

 

1.Always travel light ( one small bag )

2.Mobile phone with GPS

3.Research the area beforehand 

4.Overnight rooms max 200 Baht a night.( available in most places )

5.Check weather also beforehand.

6.Remember camera & phone chargers!

7.Sense of humour ( essential )

 

Photo attached is of myself ( with a sense of humour ) at Bangkok's fabulous Wongwian Yai Railway Station!!

 

Greetings to you all Viewers! 

Farang Jaidee 

Can you take a small motorcycle on a train as freight?

 
Yes. I've never done it but have seen them in the cargo cars. For serious inquiries ask a few days ahead at the station.

Thanks. Might just turn my wave into a long haul touring bike hehe.

Once your lust for the "Great Train Journeys of Thailand" diminishes,have a go at "Great Train Journeys of Mynamar " Oh! my aching back,and ass

 

I live not far from Pattaya station and pass it most days ,difficult to get to without transport and to be honest very rarely see a train 

ps very little to see in sri racha ,except robinsons.mind you the grounds of assumption school are nice ,our son used to go there.

 

That's the problem, you can't get to the station without transport, and if you have transport you don't need the train. TIT

 

 

I laugh when I see the sign on Suk pointing travellers toward the 'International Airport' at U-Tapao. Must be one hell of departure lounge.

 

http://www.utapao.com/inter.html

 

Was it pressed into service when the Red Shirts blockaded Swampy ? 

I can be a cynical sod sometimes but it's nice to see such a happy thread,I wish sometimes that I enjoyed the simple pleasures in life,but I was brought up with to much,and my family are quite well off,so I like the more expensive things and living in a big house etc,shame really,I can't. Say the best things in life are free but,sometimes they get close

 

 

I live not far from Pattaya station and pass it most days ,difficult to get to without transport and to be honest very rarely see a train 

ps very little to see in sri racha ,except robinsons.mind you the grounds of assumption school are nice ,our son used to go there.

 

That's the problem, you can't get to the station without transport, and if you have transport you don't need the train. TIT

 

 

I laugh when I see the sign on Suk pointing travellers toward the 'International Airport' at U-Tapao. Must be one hell of departure lounge.

 

http://www.utapao.com/inter.html

 

Was it pressed into service when the Red Shirts blockaded Swampy ? 

 

 

No, it was the other idiots in yellow who camped out there.
 

 

I live not far from Pattaya station and pass it most days ,difficult to get to without transport and to be honest very rarely see a train 
ps very little to see in sri racha ,except robinsons.mind you the grounds of assumption school are nice ,our son used to go there.

 
That's the problem, you can't get to the station without transport, and if you have transport you don't need the train. TIT
 

 
I laugh when I see the sign on Suk pointing travellers toward the 'International Airport' at U-Tapao. Must be one hell of departure lounge.
 
http://www.utapao.com/inter.html
 
Was it pressed into service when the Red Shirts blockaded Swampy ? 

Most certainly was, but not for long. The airlines hired buses to ferry passengers from Bkk to U, but it was a patchy affair as the airport was not, at that time, designed to accommodate large numbers of people. A colleague commented at the time that he could have smuggled in kilos of cocaine.

 

 

 

I live not far from Pattaya station and pass it most days ,difficult to get to without transport and to be honest very rarely see a train 

ps very little to see in sri racha ,except robinsons.mind you the grounds of assumption school are nice ,our son used to go there.

 

That's the problem, you can't get to the station without transport, and if you have transport you don't need the train. TIT

 

 

I laugh when I see the sign on Suk pointing travellers toward the 'International Airport' at U-Tapao. Must be one hell of departure lounge.

 

http://www.utapao.com/inter.html

 

Was it pressed into service when the Red Shirts blockaded Swampy ? 

 

 

No, it was the other idiots in yellow who camped out there.
 

 

 

Apologies - brain explosion - the red-shirted idiots were the people who burnt down Central and killed dozens of people so Yingluck could take a shot at getting her brother back into the country. Back to the trains - a much happier subject.