Accommodation Waiheke Island - Train Trips in Thailand

It is but a small segment of the SRT system and by no means the only memorable sector to be found, admittedly spectacular in parts and with beautiful scenery along the Kwai Noi River to Namtok at the end of the line. However it is really the infamy of the line that escalates this trip in the eyes of the visitor. Most people are familiar with the River Kwai Death Railway as being Thailand's scenic rail trip option.

The Thonburi station affords splendid views of the river and is close to the Royal Barge sheds as well as being an architectural wonder with its clock tower facade. The River Kwai services leave from Thonburi station with additional services from the main Hualom-phong station during the November festival time.

At the end of the Kwai line is still only 60 baht for a one way ticket and the Wongwian Yai service can still be found at around 20 baht round trip, the rail fare to Nam Tok. Trains are still an immensely pleasurable way to view the Thai countryside and are also cheap, whether you have an interest in railways or not.

Sleeper fares are still a real deal and more comfortable than ever and all first class carriages now have a shower area at the end of each carriage. Vendors still ply their wares at the various stops along the line and many will be already aware of the new Korean-manufactured sleeper carriages available on most routes, on local trains and many of the long distance expresses.

It has recently celebrated its operational centennial with services duplicating the original public service to Korat. Being a dream of King Chulalungkorn to link the hinterland to Bangkok and create a united "Thai Land" as well as fortifying links to the weak border points, the whole system was German-built, of course. The Korean rolling stock is but the latest progressive foreign intervention into the State Railway with Japanese Kawasaki train units and British Rail "Sprinter" trains having upgraded the quality of train services within the last 10 years.

Here the route skirts Khao Yai National Park and the slow ascent affords excellent views of the lush central plains disappearing into the distance to be replaced by the comparatively flat and bare Isaan rice bowl. Is another of the lesser-noticed scenic sectors of the system, after the lineside temple views at Ayutthaya and especially Lopburi, the climb to the Korat Plateau.

Most travellers will see it at its best if being an early riser (0600-0700) on the Express Sleeper from Bangkok to Chiangmai. For scenic mountain ascents the Doi Khun Tan National Park has by far the best to offer.

It really is only visited by those hiking into the National Park and for that reason alone has far fewer visitors than the Hua Hin version. Is a credit to the people that created it and those who currently man it, with its inaccessibility, but Doi Khun Tan, is the more pleasant (and certainly more photographed) station, with its Royal waiting room, many will argue the point that Hua Hin. The tunnel itself claimed many lives during its construction over a century ago and a plaque in respect of those workers can be seen at the southern portal. Especially when experienced in the atmosphere of Lanna's cool morning air, basketed blossoms on the platform and green peaks in the backdrop give it a special feeling. Well kept station in the Kingdom, the most beautiful, in this writer's opinion, finally arriving at, the climax of the ride is the final ascent to Doi Khun Tan station through a 2km tunnel. The morning light hits the deep forested valleys in an array of color that is difficult to find elsewhere in the region and the basically uninhabited area adds to the slow switchback trundle of the train up the mountain.

There are no traffic jams and one isn't constantly watching for oncoming traffic! With their large viewing windows and airline-style reclining seats are a comfortable and affordable way to view the countryside, sprinter trains. Previously missed with only the overnight sleeper services available, a similar situation exists with the Surat Thani to Bangkok sprinter service where travellers are able to view the coastal section from the south in daylight. Allowing train travellers to see all of the countryside between the two major cities during daylight, the Sprinter service has become popular since its introduction. Which can be almost as rewarding, sprinter train travellers on the Chiangmai day service from Bangkok will see Doi Khun Tan in the evening twilight.

The upper class travelers always seem to have that extra jaded style to their morning arrival. Check out the disembarking sleeper passengers when you are at journey's end. Is one of being shunted up and down the bed in a traditional railroad manner, despite the privacy of a double cabin, the result in first class. Actual sleep is only usually achieved in second class where berths are configured lengthways along side the carriage windows, as trains tend to rock from side to side. And indeed all sleeper trains within the kingdom is the fact that first class sleepers have berths situated across the car, the only criticism of the international express.

Look out in the local press for departure dates. 450 baht) per head, far easier to experience the train on the frequent Saturday night 5 hour dinner specials from both Bangkok and Singapore at $150 (6. Still expensive, to most, but the minimum $1400 for the one way 2 night trip to and from Singapore is, it blends well as a replica. Christchurch to Greymouth train of the 1980's, but a converted version of New Zealand's Silver Streak, as are the sister trains in Europe, the train is not a remnant of a bygone age. Lengthways and the luxury of this service far surpasses the SRT public trains and perhaps most other services in the world. O Express are configured correctly i.e; first class berths on the E &.

A figure unheard of for European rail enthusiasts, the Ayutthaya specials usually cost around 100 baht for the round trip. Steam excursions ply the local Bangkok routes on the King's Birthday and Chulalungkorn Day as well as during the Kwai festival; o luxury, for those looking for the alternative experience and not requiring E &.

As with the new reliable Skytrain, the punctuality is what may be expected of an originally German built system, not only that. It is a very rewarding and value for money means of seeing the kingdom, as long as one observes the 60 day advance purchase regulation and recognizes the popularity of train travel at holiday times, no matter. Thai Rail passes still exist but the complications of reserving seats and berths in advance can sometimes outweigh the good value from these visitor's special deals.