It has been over a century since Thailand’s first practice line – a scant 50 miles linking Bangkok and the previous royal capital of Ayuthaya – was accomplished. Tracks have since been prolonged to many of the nation, and whereas practice journey has virtually fully been outmoded by bus and air, scenic railway routes and sleeper trains stay probably the greatest methods to see the nation.
Even the Thai authorities can see the potential in railways once more. There’s speak of high-speed rail strains, and Bangkok’s shiny new Bang Sue Grand Station is (allegedly) Southeast Asia’s largest rail hub.
For now, Thailand’s rolling inventory isn’t that superior, however trains run by the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) are usually on time, comfy and charming in a stuck-in-time sort of manner.
When you’re not in a rush, trains additionally supply good legroom (notably in sleeper automobiles); nice Thai meals (both from the eating automotive or from distributors promoting snacks between stations); attractive views; vintage practice stations; and quirky experiences (such because the route that seems to crash right into a contemporary market). Listed below are the six greatest practice journeys in Thailand.
1. Mahachai Line
Begin – Thonburi; Finish – Samut Songkhram; Distance – 50 miles/80km
Among the finest practice rides in Thailand is that this brief, workaday commuter line. It begins close to Bangkok and famously terminates smack dab in the course of a moist market.
Begin at Thonburi’s Wongwian Yai practice station, simply throughout the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok, the place hourly trains go to Samut Sakhon (recognized by locals as Mahachai). From the window, you’ll be able to peek into properties, temples and retailers constructed simply an arm’s size from the passing trains. Additional on, palm timber, patchwork rice fields and marshes crammed with large elephant ear perennials and canna lilies line the route, punctuated by whistle-stop stations.
The farmland evaporates as you enter Samut Sakhon. After disembarking and strolling by way of one of the hectic contemporary markets within the nation, you’ll attain a harbor clogged with water hyacinths and wood fishing boats.
Take the ferry throughout to Baan Laem, the place you will board yet one more practice, this time for Samut Songkhram. You’ll emerge immediately right into a hubbub of hectic market stalls. Between practice arrivals and departures, these stalls are arrange immediately on the tracks and should be hurriedly cleared away when the practice arrives. It’s a incredible scene.
2. Loss of life Railway
Begin – Thonburi; Finish – Nam Tok; Distance – 258 miles/415km
Constructed through the WWII Japanese occupation of Thailand, the so-called Loss of life Railway is Thailand’s most well-known – and historic – practice line. Building started in October 1942, by Allied prisoners of struggle (POWs) and conscripted staff armed solely with fundamental instruments and dynamite. Effectively over 12,000 POWs and as many as 90,000 recruited and compelled laborers died resulting from illness, poor hygiene, lack of medical gear and brutal remedy by camp guards. The deadliest part of railway development was an immense rock slicing dubbed “Hellfire Cross” due to the eerie glow of their torches, seen when working at night time.
Given the rugged territory it passes by way of, that is undoubtedly probably the most scenic practice journey in Thailand. A complete of 688 bridges had been constructed alongside the route; the bridge that spans the “River Kwai” close to Kanchanaburi metropolis (now known as the Loss of life Railway Bridge) was, on the time, the one metal bridge in-built Thailand.
The trains that run the Loss of life Railway are Third-class, which means they haven’t any air-con and largely wood benches (sit on the left-hand aspect for one of the best views). It’s a vacationer line as we speak, so there are stops for brief visits to historic sights and a cave.
3. Sleeper Prepare to Chiang Mai
Begin – Bangkok; Finish – Chiang Mai; Distance – 467 miles/751km
Thailand’s first long-distance practice route, which hyperlinks Bangkok and the northern metropolis of Chiang Mai, is the traditional Thai practice journey.
The route is a good likelihood to strive one in every of Thailand’s sleeper trains. They depart Bangkok beginning within the afternoon, which implies nearly all of the journey is at night time. Within the morning, you’ll get up to stunning glimpses of the northern Thai countryside. Particularly, hold your eyes peeled because the practice cuts by way of tunnels and the rugged forest of Doi Khun Tan Nationwide Park, simply south of Chiang Mai (one other fascinating sight is watching railway workers unfold and make the sleeper beds).
When you guide a costlier ticket, you’re prone to journey on one of many SRT’s shiny new trains. Likewise, buy your tickets as far upfront as you’ll be able to; this explicit route is standard with vacationers, particularly backpackers.
4. Seaside Prepare
Begin – Bangkok; Finish – Hua Hin; Distance – 131 miles/212km
This route skirts across the Gulf of Thailand, and though sea views are uncommon, in Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan Provinces, there’s some stunning surroundings, together with salt flats and seemingly endless coconut plantations. Your vacation spot, Hua Hin, is Thailand’s authentic seashore escape, with a historical past that dates again to the nineteenth century.
The spotlight of the route is Hua Hin’s practice station. Arguably probably the most stunning practice terminus in Thailand, this red-and-white icon was in-built 1926 with a Victorian gingerbread design boasting a number of carved wooden pillars and trim. As a result of Hua Hin owes its prosperity to the practice, the station is a significant supply of satisfaction, and you will find imitations of its design throughout city.
5. Night time Prepare to Laos
Begin – Bangkok; Finish – Thanaleng; Distance – 402 miles/648km
Departing from Bangkok within the afternoon, this lauded worldwide route crosses the Mekong River into Laos and is a good alternative to check out Thailand’s in a single day sleeper trains. Within the morning, with heat daylight streaming into your mattress, you’ll cross by the tiny villages and seemingly infinite rice fields that make up Thailand’s rural northeast.
After a cease in Nong Khai, you’ll cross the so-called Friendship Bridge to Laos. The 15-minute trip drops you at Thanaleng (aka Dongphasay) station, which means you’ll have to take a taxi or tuk-tuk the remaining 10 miles to the capital, Vientiane.
A high-speed practice linking these two locations is within the works, with its projected completion in 2028.
6. Japanese & Oriental Categorical
Begin – Bangkok; Finish – Singapore; Distance – 1100 miles/1800km
Discovering the SRT eating automotive menu a bit missing? Then contemplate a visit on the ultra-luxury Eastern & Oriental Express, a privately-operated practice that hyperlinks Bangkok and Singapore. Outfitted to recall the golden period of practice journey, passengers on the three-night, four-day journey reside in luxurious non-public cabins, though they might additionally discover themselves spending a lot of their time within the Commentary, Eating and Bar Automobiles.
The journey is all-inclusive, and non-train actions embody excursions and excursions in Thailand and Malaysia. The E&O runs between Bangkok and Singapore twice a month.
Suggestions for getting practice tickets in Thailand
- You should buy practice tickets on-line through the clunky SRT website, however in case you’re in Bangkok, it’s way more environment friendly to go on to Hualamphong Station and buy tickets in individual.
- Keep away from touts in and across the station, who will attempt to redirect you to journey businesses.
