Well, You’re not a real backpacker if you haven’t taken the Thai night train I heard so when we left Chumphon and heading to Bangkok it was by nigh train. The trip was only 650 bath/ person and the train was set to leave 9.30 pm. We just relaxed by day pool and went to Farang Bar for a meal. I must recommend this restaurant, very good food and lovely owners. We also stoped by the food marked right beside our hotel. I really love going around this type of markets and just look. You find so any things I haven’t seen before.
After I round to the mini marked to buy some snacks and drinks for night ( read Ice coffee) my new favorite drink in the heat we went down to the train station.
We didn’t know what to expect, we traveled by night train in Sweden but we’re well aware that this would be different.
The train came and stoped rally far away in the station, it felt like we were walking half way to Bangkok, but a last we found our train carriage and went onboard. The beds were already made and because we booked our tickets late we had the upper bed just at the door.
If you have the option I would recommend the lower bed, it’s much wider and you don’t have to climb like a monkey trying to get up.
We thought it would be like cabins with 4 people in each but no. It’s a carriage full with beds along the sides. 40 bed in one carriage. This should be fun. My travel partner snores a lot, I used to It but I felt quite sorry for the other 38 who was trying to sleep.
There is two safety belts to stop you from rolling of and at first I wondered why but I would find out during the night. You only have a curtain outside you to shut it the light and sounds.
I was really sure how silent it was. Everyone snuggled in at around 10pm and it was no sound other then the door when someone (and it’s a few when you’re 40 in a carriage) had to go to the toilet.
The light in the ceiling was on all night and I understand why, you really has to be an acrobat climbing down the steel ladder barefoot.
The safety belt…. Well I think that the train and the rail has some relationships issues. I didn’t feel like the were best friends all night and sometimes the train heeled to some direction and leaned one side. The bed was quite narrow and if the safety belt haven’t been there some might tip over.
We fell a sleep and it was nice to listen to the trains sounds. Around 5 am we woke up to the sound of salesmen. There’s a lot coming onboard and they sell everything. Coffe, the, snacks food and more. By 5.45 I had both a Ice coffe and a hot coffee, a perfect start to the morning.
On the same time the went and fixed the beds so it was normal seating during the day.
When we arrived in Bangkok we just switched station and went by bus to Rayong to meet up with some friends.
Overall I can agree if you travel around Thailand you must try the night train once. It’s an experience and next time we should go far I’ll do it again. You also save an hotel night.