Author: Richard Barrow

Good morning from Chiang Mai Railway Station. The State Railway of Thailand has joined hands with Lampang Rajabhat University to organize train tours under the label ‘Lanna Modernization Railroad Travel’. The aim is to promote rail tourism and the route between the old towns of Lampang, Lamphun, and Chiang Mai. This is now their fourth package tour. The demgraphics of my fellow passengers are retirees with disposable income. The tour price was 7,590 Baht and the ones that I asked said it was a reasonable price. In fact there were some people who had been on all four trips so far.

This is a live report of my three-night, two-day tour with them in Northern Thailand. 

[2] We came to Chiang Mai on Special Express No.9 which is a sleeper train. I got a full seven hours

This weekend I did the first of what will hopefully be a regular series of train trips to major destinations around Thailand. My intention is to promote rail tourism which is both sustainable and eco-friendly travel. I am really happy that the Tourism Authority of Thailand has recognised the importance of my rail project and that they are kindly giving me logistical support. The first train trip was to Udon Thani on the Northeastern Line. I took Special Express No.25 that goes from Bangkok’s new terminal Krung Thep Aphiwat to Nong Khai overnight. This and other destination train guides will be on my ThaiTrainGuide.com website soon. You will also be able to download the guides as free PDFs. The following are the photos and notes that I posted live during my trip.

Date of Travel: 2nd-5th February

Today I’m checking out the free electric bus shuttle between four floating markets in Taling Chan District of Bangkok. This is a review in three parts: MRT Park & Ride, electric bus and floating markets.

The electric bus service connects to MRT Bang Khun Tan station and so I decided I would drive to the Park & Ride at MRT Lak Song first to review that car park. Park on the 3rd floor as that’s where the bridge is to connect to the station.

📍MRT: maps.app.goo.gl/nCs9ngRKXYmyxA…

If you are riding the MRT it costs you 10 Baht to park for 2 hours. If not, then it’s 20 baht for 1 hour. I got a parking coupon from the MRT ticket office. From Lak Song I had to change at MRT Tha Phra and then get off

Good morning from Bangkok Railway Station. Today I’m on the KiHa-183 excursion train to Chachoengsao. This is a THEAD of the trip. More information here: thaitrainguide.com/excursion-trai… You can also find more train photos and videos by following @ThaiTrainGuide on Twitter.

The KiHa-183 trains were donated by Japan. They were then refurbished in the Makkasan Workshops so that they look as good as new. They kept the livery the same as when it was used in Japan. There also kept the information signs. The KiHa-183 trains will be used as tourist trains.

The trip today is a package tour to Chachoengsao. The ticket price is 1,999 Baht which includes breakfast, lunch and a bus/boat tour.

Our first stop was in the middle of the bridge over the Bang Pakong

It has been a long time coming, but finally the new terminal station in Bangkok will open on 19th January 2023. Starting from now, you can buy tickets for long distance trains departing from this station by entering the official name, “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal” *.  Though from experience, you only need to type “Krung” and the full name will pop up. However, it should be made clear that not all trains will move here in January. It should also be noted that Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong) will not close despite earlier media reports.

As there will undoubtedly be some confusion among the public, and even misinformation in the local media, I will post here everything I know so far about what you need to know about catching a train from Bangkok from 19th January 2023 onwards. Please don’t

🚂 This is a LIVE photo blog of my international train trip from Bangkok to Singapore via Malaysia. You will find full details here of all the trains and ticket prices. Don’t forget to also check out the YouTube channel for this trip: youtube.com/channel/UCKKNQ…

DAY 1: Bangkok to Hua Hin.

🚂 Special Express No.43
🎟️ 2nd Class (A/C) 412 Baht
⏰ 7:50am-12:05pm

ALTERNATIVE TRAIN: There is a sleeper train that goes all the way from Bangkok to Padang Besar on the Thai-Malaysia border. This is joined with No.37 until Hat Yai.

🚂 Special Express No.45
🎟️ Lower Berth 960 Baht, Upper Berth 870 Baht
⏰ 3:10pm-9:50am

[4] The price of the ticket for Special Express No.43 includes this meal. I was given Fried Mackerel in Chilli Sauce and Stir-Fried Baby Clams with Pepper and

Tweets by ThaiTrainGuide

Good morning from Bangkok Railway Station. Today I’m on an excursion train to Suan Son Pradipat Beach.

Tickets for the day excursion to the beach cost only 120 Baht in 3rd Class fan or double if you want air-con in 2nd Class. I prefer with open windows as easier to take photos. However, this time I’ve booked an inward facing seat as it gives more leg room for this 5 hour journey.

Breakfast on the train today is my usual. Stir-fried basil with minced pork. The cost with a fried egg was 30 Baht. Not the most generous of portions but good value for the price. Anyway, there will be more food opportunities later.

[4] The first stop on the day excursion is in Nakhon Pathom. The conductor told us we have 40 minutes

Good morning from Wongwian Yai Station in Bangkok. Today I’m on a day trip to Samut Songkhram by train.

[2] Even if you are not catching a train, Wongwian Yai Railway Station is a great place to explore and buy some food.

📍MAP: goo.gl/maps/GdpGF6gpQ…

[3] Tickets for the one hour train trip to Mahachai (Samut Sakhon) are only 10 Baht in 2nd Class with fan. The seats are hard but it doesn’t really matter as the journey is short.

[4] Video clip of our train arriving at Mahachai Railway Station in Samut Sakhon. There is a market here on the train tracks similar to the one in Samut Songkhram.

[5] All of the tourists head to Samut Songkhram for the famous market on the tracks but

This morning, I took a boat trip from my resort on Koh Phi Phi Don to Maya Bay. Koh Phi Phi Lay has only recently reopened to tourists after been closed for just over three years.

[2] Boats are no longer allowed to enter Maya Bay and moor on the beach. They can go to the entrance to the bay for taking pictures. Boats have to then go around to the back where there is a jetty. We were there at 9:30am and I counted 40 boats. Mainly long-tailed boats.

[3] As Koh Phi Phi Ley is part of the national park, you have to pay an entrance fee. 400 Baht for foreigners and 40 Baht for Thais. When you arrive at Maya Bay on the other side, there is a viewing