Are you looking for an easy #BKKdaytrip? For only 33 Baht, I visited two railway markets and then a riverside market where I did a boat tour for only 50 Baht. Intrigued? In this THREAD š§µ I will give you the details and also how to download the free guide. #RailTourism
The journey starts at Wongwian Yai Railway Station. This is only a 12 minute walk from the Skytrain station of the same name. Or you can come by taxi. Make sure you arrive hungry as thereās lots of food options here. #Thailand
The best train to catch to Mahachai Station in Samut Sakhon is No. 4341 that departs at 7:40am. I arrived at Wongwian Yai at 7:00am which gave me plenty of time to find something to eat. The ticket is 10 Baht for 3rd Class. You can only buy 20 minutes in advance.
The first part of the journey takes an hour. Get your camera ready as you enter Samut Sakhon as it passes through a market in front of the station. If youāre lucky, your train might come out briefly to change tracks and platforms, so you can get some good trackside photos.
You now have a choice to explore the nearby fish market before crossing the river or wait for the 9:28am train to arrive and the 9:35am to leave. If you do wait, you will need to quick walk to the pier. The train on the other side of the river leaves promptly at 10:10am.
From the train market, go back into the train station and walk to the far end where you will see the exit on your left. On the main road turn right and walk to the end. Turn left and you will see the pier. With luck you havenāt just missed a boat! Ticket is 3 baht.
As you cross the river to the other side, you will see a giant seated Buddha. That is next to Ban Laem Station where you will catch your next train. From the pier, turn right and walk for about 5 minutes. You will then see the Buddha on your right. The station is next door.
I recommend catching No. 4383 train that leaves at 10:10am. Donāt miss it as the next one isnāt until 1:30pm! The ticket to Maeklong Station in Samut Songkhram is only 10 baht. Wait on the platform where you see the door in the last photo. Make sure you get a window seat!
It doesnāt really matter which side you sit for this one hour journey. Both sides are scenic during this stretch. But left side might be slightly better. Many tourists get on this train at stops along the way. Ten minutes before you reach the market get your camera ready.
Itās a very different experience on the train and trackside. I like to do both. On the train, just donāt lean out of the window as you enter the market! As soon as you arrive you should head back down the tracks as the train will pass back through in only 20 minutes.
When you get off the train, if itās like the first photo, turn left outside the station, turn right and then keep walking to a 7-11. You should see a side entrance to the train market opposite it on your right. Then just find a safe place to wait for the train.
Be very careful when the train passes. Stand well back from the rail. There should be a line on the ground that you should stand behind. Next, you can either walk ten minutes to the bus station and catch a bus back to Bangkok, or do like I did and go to Amphawa for lunch.
If you are going to Amphawa, go back out the side entrance to the 7-11. You should see a blue songtaew waiting there. This costs 10 baht and the riverside market is only 15 minutes away. Or you can use the Bolt app to get a local taxi.
Amphawa Floating Market is a weekend market open Friday to Sunday. Itās more popular late afternoons and evenings. Itās also a great place to stay overnight and I will tell you about that another time. This is where we had lunch.
If you are not in a rush, you can take a boat tour for only 50 Baht per person or rent out the boat for only 500 Baht. That way you can choose where you want to go. Wat Bang Kung is the highlight. But the boat ride itself is enjoyable.
Once you are ready to go back, walk out to the main road. Near the road bridge over the canal thereās a coffee shop in front of Bangkok Bank. Wait there for the songtaew. Or you can take a Tuk Tuk. If youāre returning by train, you must be back before 3:30pm.
The songtaew will drop you back off at the 7-11. Here you can either catch the 3:30pm back to Mahachai or just take photos of it leaving. Then walk 10 minutes to the bus station and take a bus back to Bangkok for 100 Baht. This is much quicker.
Follow @ThaiTrainGuide if youāre interested in #RailTourism in #Thailand. I often post tips for interesting rail trips. I also have some free guidebooks that you can download for free.
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Free Guidebooks for Travelling by Train in Thailand: thaitrainguide.com/guidebook/
šThis is a google map list of all the places that I mentioned in this thread: maps.app.goo.gl/BazoHefrMgUEzPku9?g_st=i
If you feel you are not brave enough to do this trip on your own, your can join day tours from Bangkok for around 1,500 Baht per person. #Thailand