Thailand by Train

Travelling on a train in Thailand is an unique experience. Most journeys start at Bangkok's majestic central station called Hua Lamphong, which has been operating since 1916.

The station is located near the Chinatown part of the city and the tall tower of Wat Traimit dominates the skyline just nearby.

I have taken a couple of train trips recently, one to Ayutthaya and the other to the Cambodian border. The train trip to Ayutthaya was meant to leave at 11:20 am and finally at about 12:10 pm our train pulled into the platform.

The trip takes about an hour an a half and cost all of 50 cents for the third class seats. It is a pretty good way to travel, although slow and a little unreliable. The following photos are taken from the train along the way.

The other main way to get around the country is by bus. I put this photo in the show you the colourful artwork that many of the buses are adorned with.

The train itself it reasonably comfortable, although on the journey home we did not get a seat as it was already full coming from northern Thailand. A conductor comes through and checks your tickets and there are food and drink vendors to keep you happy.

It's a good way for the monk of the 21st Century to travel.

At Ayutthaya itself you find a charming little station. Here is the crowd waiting as the return train pulls into the platform. This train was almost 2 hours late.

The trip to Cambodia is a longer ordeal - about 6 hours but it is quite comfortable, avoids the traffic and it cost only $1.60! The remaining photos show some of the farms along the track.