Tonight I am taking Special Express No. 25 from Bangkok to Nong Khai onboard the CNR sleeper train. This THREAD is a review of Krung Thep Aphiwat Station and the sleeper train.

#RailTourism #Thailand

Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station, or KTW for short, is the new terminal station in #Bangkok for long-distance trains on the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern lines. Trains leave the city from here on elevated tracks and cut the previous time by half.

There are many shops at KTW selling food and drinks, as well as other essentials such as toiletries, medicine, and more. There is also a food court. If you have several hours to kill you could leave your bag in a locker and catch the Blue or Red line trains to a local mall.

The terminal station is massive and as there are monitors and announcements in Thai and English you can basically wait where you like. There are even free showers if you need to spruce up. About 20-30 minutes before departure you will be called for boarding.

I bought my ticket online using the D-Ticket website. Once you have paid you are automatically sent an E-ticket. You don’t need to print this out. They are only interested in scanning the QR-Code. They also don’t cross check the name on the ticket with your passport.

After they call you for boarding, they scan your ticket to make sure you are in the right queue. You can then go up to the platform where the train is waiting. Tonight I am in Carriage No. 10. Each carriage has an attendant who looks after you. They also make up your bed.

During the day, the lower berth is two seats. Then in the evening, the attendant lowers the top berth and makes up your bed with clean sheets. You also get a pillow and a blanket.

On the CNR trains, each berth gets a reading light and a power socket. You also get a free bottle of water. Everything is clean and new on this train.

If you are in the lower berth, you get a table that can fold down and more importantly a window. There are also hooks to hang things. I will put my bag under my seat but I will keep my valuables with me. But it is safe as there are CCTV cameras and also railway police.

Each carriage has modern airplane style toilets and washbasins. There is also one carriage with accessible toilets. The 1st Class carriage also has a shower room. Monitors in the carriages tell you if the toilets are occupied or not.

The bilingual monitors in each carriage give you useful information such as next station name, estimated time of arrival, temperature, speed, and also a route map.

The CNR sleeper trains all have a dining car. You can eat here or they can bring to your seat. Waiters are wandering up and down all the time taking orders. But it is not really that cheap. So some people buy at the station before they board.

The lights are kept on all night. If you are in the lower berth, the curtains do a good job of blocking out the light. But the upper berth is both bright and cold as it is nearer the A/C. I always use an eye mask and ear plugs which allows me to get a good night’s sleep.

There is now a website that you can use to check the status of your train. It will tell you if there is a delay and the estimated time of arrival. This is useful when I wake up in the morning. If there is a delay I will just go back to sleep! https://ttsview.railway.co.th/searchresult.php?trainno=25&station=&lang=eng#

A Review of Krung Thep Aphiwat Station and the Sleeper Train

[1] This is a live THREAD of my attempt to set the benchmark time for people to do The Bangkok Train Challenge. You can find the rules and notes on this page: https://www.thaitrainguide.com/the-bangkok-train-challenge I will also be updating the web page during the day.

#BKKtrains #Trains #Bangkok 

[2] This is the latest map of the electric train system in Great Bangkok. #BKKtrains #Trains #Bangkok https://twitter.com/thaitrainguide/status/1672131531870175232

[3] My starting point for the train challenge is BTS Keha Station at the southern end of the Green Line. The Timestamp for my first photo is 6:20am. 

This might not be the best place to start but it is the nearest terminal station to my house. 

[4] I started at BTS Keha which is the southern terminal station of the Dark Green Line, sometimes called the Sukhumwit Line. From here to the northern end of the line at BTS Khu Khot Station it is 54.25 kilometres. Travel time is around 90 minutes. This is the longest line in… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674948133716127744 

[5] I reached the end of the Green Line at BTS Khu Khot at 7:52am. I will next backtrack one stop to BTS Yæk Kor Por Aor Station to catch a bus to my next station which is SRT Rangsit on the Red Line. 

[6] At BTS Khu Khot I switched to the opposite platform to go back one stop to BTS Yaek Kor Por Aor Station. 

I took Exit 3 from the station (keep right at the fork) and you will see the bus stop at the bottom of the steps. Bus No. 185 is a red non-air bus. Ticket to Rangsit Bus… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674959142430314496 

[7] I missed a train at Rangsit Raikway Station by seconds. I then had to wait 12 minutes for the next train. The Red Line train arrived at 8:32am as you can see from the Timestamp and left at 8:36am. 

I’m now just over two hours into my challenge. I’ve finished one line and I’m… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674960270467411970 

[8] I completed the Dark Red Line between Rangsit and Bang Sue at 9:00am exactly. That was my favourite ride so far as the Red Line trains have large unobstructed windows with some great views. 

I now have to cross to Platform 9 for the Light Red Line train to the end of the… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674967460142026753 

[9] The Light Red Line train on Platform 9 at Bang Sue Station wasn’t due to leave until 9:20am. Which incidentally, is three hours into my challenge. I had a 20 minute wait. 

I was hoping to have a quick toilet break but to do that I would have to exit through the turnstiles… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674982703782039554 

[10] I arrived at SRT Taling Chan Station at the southern end of the Light Red Line at 9:39am. It took about 30 minutes to finish that line. 

So I’ve now completed the Dark Green Line, the Dark Red Line and the Light Red Line in three hours and twenty minutes. 

My plan was to… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674985941877006337 

[11] Back at SRT Taling Chan Station I had of course missed the train and so I had to wait twenty minutes for the 10:00am train. 

I then had to backtrack 10 minutes to SRT Bang Son station which is the interchange to the Purple Line at MRT Bang Son. Heading north I miss one… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674989675134730240 

[12] It only took 5 minutes to walk between the Red Line station and the Purple Line Station at Bang Son. 

I was really lucky that the northbound Purple Line train to MRT Khlong Bang Phai arrived at the same time as me and so no time was wasted. 

I’m now heading to the end of… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1674991821712408576 

[13] I arrived at MRT Khlong Bang Phai Station, the northern end of the Purple Line, at 10:47am. I then crossed the platform so I could backtrack to Bang Son and then go one more stop to MRT Tao Poon Station where I arrived at 11:27am. I have now completed four lines in just over… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675011238861078529 

[14] There are two MRT stations at Tao Poon. It’s like a crossroads for the Purple and Blue lines. I only had to go down one level to the Blue Line. They both have the same operator so no need to cross the ticket barrier. 

I then took the Blue Line five stops to MRT Lat Phrao… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675016341953327106 

[15] The walk between MRT Lat Phrao Station and MRT Lat Phrao Station is only 5 minutes and between platforms 8 minutes. Yes it’s confusing. Same name but different building. One is underground and is for the Blue Line and the other is elevated and is for the Yellow Line. 

The… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675026681080463360 

[16] At MRT Hua Mak Station on the Yellow Line I had to transfer to the Airport Rail Link Line at ARL Hua Mak Station. Platform to platform it took 11 minutes. Most of the way is on a skybridge then the last 5 minutes is on ground level including walking over a railway crossing… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675040754648092673 

[17] I did the full Airport Rail Link in around 30 minutes. I left Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1:59pm and arrived at the western end of the line at Phayathai at 2:30pm. 

I’ve now been on the challenge for just over eight hours riding trains non stop in Bangkok. I still have the… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675050465103581184 

[18] ARL Phaya Thai station interchanges with BTS Phaya Thai Station on the Dark Green Line. I’ve completed this line already. I’m just using it to reach the Light Green Line that starts from BTS National Stadium Station. I have to change at Siam Station.

Platform to platform,… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675061098406641664 

[19] The next line to do is the Silom Green Line. This starts at BTS National Stadium Station and goes all the way to BTS Bang Wa Station. But I will get off at BTS Krung Thon Buri Station to do a side trip on the Gold Line. 

The Timestamp at the station at the start of this… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675077125223882752 

[20] From BTS Krung Thon Buri Station it is a very short walk to the station of the same name on the Gold Line. This uses a “people mover” to transport people to Icon Siam. There are only three stations. The last one is Khlong San. It only took 7 minutes! Then I went back to the… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675079086291718146 

[21] I reached BTS Bang Wa Station at 3:51pm. From there it was only a 3 minute walk from platform to platform to reach MRT Bang Wa Station on the Blue Line. From there I took the train to the end of the line at MRT Lak Song where I will start the Blue Line Loop. 

The Timestamp… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675085079469768704 

[22] I have finally reached the end of my Bangkok Train Challenge at 5:24pm. I rode on trains on all the lines and stopped at all the stations in Greater Bangkok in eleven hours and 4 minutes! 

That was a very long day indeed. But I learned a lot about the train network in the… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1675091816264380416 

Attempting the Bangkok Train Challenge

Thailand is home to numerous picturesque train rides, but among the finest is Express No. 51, known by some as 'The Jungle Express'.

Here's a THREAD on how to catch this train and where to sit for the most breathtaking views. Please retweet to share with friends.

#RailTourism

[1] Express No. 51 sleeper train goes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai overnight. There are 2nd and 3rd Class seats with fans and 2nd Class sleeper carriages with air-conditioning. Tickets start from 270 Baht for seats and from 728 Baht for berths.

Timetable: https://www.thaitrainguide.com/timetables/no-51

[2] No. 51 train leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal much later in the evening than the popular No. 9 sleeper and so it arrives in Northern Thailand just as the sun is rising. This means you get to see more of the beautiful scenery.

[3] Some of the early morning views from Express No. 51 when it passes through Kaeng Luang in Northern Thailand. The best views are of the Yom River on the right hand side. Get your camera ready after you leave Den Chai Station.

[4] One of the best times to ride No. 51 train is during the rainy season when everything is green. But the most spectacular views are during the cool season in December and January as there will be an early morning mist. https://twitter.com/ThaiTrainGuide/status/1612383487956496384/video/1

[5] Photo of No. 51 train crossing the historic Black Bridge in Lampang.

[6] After Lampang, the train starts climbing up into the hills. There are some great views on both sides. But the best views are on the right between Khun Tan and Mae Tan Noi stations when train passes over three bridges with sharp drops and fantastic scenery.

[7] Video clip from two of the railway bridges in Lampang with sheer drops and fantastic views. Video was shot from Express No.51 heading to Chiang Mai. https://twitter.com/ThaiTrainGuide/status/1603631493485674497/video/1

[8] During this time, No. 51 is passing through Doi Khun Tan National Park. A short while later the train passes through the longest railway tunnel in Thailand which is 1352.10 metres long. It comes out at Khun Tan which at 578.00 metres above sea level is the highest station.

[9] Shortly after Khun Tan Station, No. 51 train will cross the iconic White Bridge in Tha Chomphu. The best view is on your right. This spot is also a popular viewpoint for tourists coming by car. The train will finally arrive in Chiang Mai at 12:10pm.

The Jungle Train: Thailand's Scenic Express No. 51

Sukhothai, one of the ancient cities of Thailand, is just a train ride and bus transfer away from Bangkok.

In this THREAD 🧵, I'll explain how to get there and what it will cost. Please retweet to share with your friends and bookmark for later.

#RailTourism #Thailand

[2] The best train to catch is Special Express No. 7 which leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat in Bangkok at 8:30 a.m. There are three 2nd Class Daewoo carriages with air-con and reclining seats. Ticket is 479 Baht which includes a meal. It reaches Phitsanulok at 1:12pm.

[3] Lunch is served to your seat. This is what I had during my last trip.

📌 Boiled Chicken with Turmeric
📌 Fried Mackerels in Chilli Sauce
📌 Jasmine rice
📌 Chocolate Custard Filled Bun
📌 Fried Banana Chips
📌 Drinking Water

[4] The train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok took five hours. On arrival, jump on a motorcycle taxi (60 Baht) to the bus terminal and then a mini-bus to Sukhothai Historical Park (in Thai it is called Muang Kao). Ticket is 90 Baht.

[6] At the entrance to Sukhothai Historical Park there are quite a few small hotels. I stayed at Old City Boutique House which was a two minute walk from where the bus dropped me off. It was 500 Baht a night.

📍MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3YE9YPm7QaTbLvT3A?g_st=ic

[7] After 6pm you are allowed to enter Sukhothai Historical Park for free. There’s a night market here from Friday to Sunday from about 5pm onwards.

[8] It is worth getting up early to witness the monks from Wat Traphang Thong leaving the temple on their morning alms round. They cross the picturesque bridge at 6:20 a.m. every day.

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/GAnRH2C4Hp51Lx219

[9] Sukhothai Old Town is mainly flat and so the best way to explore the area is to rent a bicycle. There are several shops near to the entrance of the park that rent out a variety of bicycles for only 30 Baht for the whole day. They also have electric vehicles for hire.

[10] Sukhothai Historical Park is split into three zones and the ticket price to each one is 100 Baht for foreigners. You can visit most places in one day or take your time and spend two days here.

[11] There’s a shop close to the entrance to Sukhothai Historical Park that sells bus tickets to Bangkok for 346 Baht. It leaves every day at 8:15am. I went back by train and so I went to the bus terminal in Sukhothai New Town for 40 Baht.

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/t1Yc8kGrw1UCKWKJ6

[12] At Sukhothai Bus Terminal I took the first minivan going to Phitsanulok. 60 Baht for this stretch. I had a few hours to wait for my train, so I took the opportunity to explore Phitsanulok first.

📍MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/CLWu3DvRJqXH84kY8

[13] The best train to take back is Special Express No. 8. It arrives from Chiang Mai at 2.34 p.m. and leaves ten minutes later. The ticket for this air-conditioned train is 479 Baht and includes a meal and snacks. It arrives in Bangkok at 6:55 p.m.

📌 Thai Train Guide – The Railways of Thailand by Richard Barrow https://www.thaitrainguide.com/
📌 Search for transportation to Sukhothai: https://thaitrainguide.12go.asia/en/travel/bangkok/sukhothai-historical-park
📌 Search for transportation to Phitsanulok: https://thaitrainguide.12go.asia/en/travel/bangkok/phitsanulok


How to take the Train to Sukhothai

Bangkok's first monorail train opened to the public today . You can ride the trains on the Yellow Line  for free for at least a month.

This is a THREAD to help you get the most out of this line, including maps and photos. Please retweet to share with your friends.

[2] This map illustrates how the new Yellow Line integrates with the rest of the rail network in #Bangkok. During this trial run, the train will stop at only 13 stations between Samrong and Hua Mak. The journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

[3] My journey today began at BTS Samrong Station. Take Exit 3, and in just a few minutes, you'll reach the monorail station of the same name via the skybridge. If you start at Imperial World, you can get a free "platform ticket" to pass through the station to the other side.

[4] Upon arrival, you must obtain a ticket. Currently, they are available at no cost. If you have a Rabbit Card, simply use it to tap through the entrance gates. I also noticed a contactless credit card reader near the swing gate. Perhaps the Skytrain will have this soon.

[5] The platforms have barriers to prevent people from falling onto the tracks, similar to those on the Skytrain. As you can see, the trains operate without drivers, attracting many people to go to the front for photo opportunities.

[6] The trains utilized are Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300s. Each train consists of four carriages, with the potential to increase to seven in the future. This marks the first driverless straddle-type monorail in Thailand. The maximum operation speed is 80 km/hr.

[7] These are the information monitors on the train and on the platform. Trains  run every ten minutes.

[8] Upon arriving at Hua Mak Station, take Exit 1 to reach the Airport Rail Link Station or Exit 4 for the Eastern Line station. However, today these exits were closed, so I had to use Exit 2 and walk for 8 minutes along the street.

[9] Overall, it will be a useful feeder train for people living along Theparak and Srinakarin roads. Eventually the train will go all the way to Lat Phrao where it will connect to the Blue Line. Do you think you will use it?

You can read the unrolled version of this thread here: https://typefully.com/ThaiTrainGuide/l1hFkN2