Thank you for this video, I managed to book the new train from Hatyai to Krung Tep Aphiwat (Bangkok). Just a note : You need to book the train that indicates "Special express CNR" .. the letters CNR indicates it's the new train. If it's just "Special express" ... that is still the old train. However, these new trains are only used in certain lines. So majority of the train lines, especially those local trains, are still old trains. Also, there is a restaurant carriage car so you can order your meals and have them bring to you at your seat :) But just to take note that the meals are slightly more expensive e.g. each set meal is about 200 THB comprising food, drink and fruit. So if you prefer cheaper options, you can get meals in the alternative way as shown in this video :)
I adore the little history lesson at the beginning!!! So many youtubers skip the interesting bits and make their videos all about themselves. THANK YOU for storytelling!
I'm writing a story that involves travelling through Aisa in the 1980s, and your video was just what I needed to get a first feel for what travelling through Thailand by train feels like! Thank you so much for making such informative and entertaining content
We have used the train quite a few times from Bangkok to Ubon, and always found it to be a pleasant way to travel, yes it’s not 5 star, but have managed to sleep well enough. Really enjoy your video’s very much.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Compiling valuable information does take a lot of time to research and edit, and sometimes i think to myself is the viewer even interested, but when i read comments like yours it motivates me to not compromise on this aspect of my videos, so Thank you :)
What I like the most from your channel is that you gave me the closest feeling of being there along with you where you were going. And this one is as ever, didn't disappoint any. A bit addition about choosing the upper or lower bed when you're traveling with a lady. Normally you'd take the lower one and give the upper one to her. In Thai cultures there's a little difference. They'd let the lady choose and it'd end up with her choosing the lower bed due to better convenience, she wouldn't have to climb up and down especially when a personal hygiene is in need.
Thank you Anne. I really wanted to set myself apart from the other RUclipsrs with this video and give the viewer a comprehensive understanding on the rail system and the overnight sleeper trains. The views on my video unfortunately don’t reflect the effort and production quality that I put in when I compare it to the views other RUclipsrs have received on the same topic. With that said, I still remain very proud of this video and I’m glad it compelled you to want to share your thoughts with me in the comments, so thank you 😊
The views from the cabin window were remarkable. I had to film the shower otherwise i would have failed my mission in giving you guys a comprehensive tour 😂
Done this trip a few times but stopped at Surat thani , not first class but had our own room, air-conditioned was freezing but bottom bed was big enough for 2
On several trips from Bangkok to LAO PDR and back. Similar cabin karma but no wheelchair. I enjoyed the gentle rocking and the background noise of the train which allowed me great sleeping all night with no wake ups.
been BKK Chiang Mai BKK to Malay border at Sungai Golok and Padang Besar also to Non Khai not too bad for cheap all part of the experience getting from A to B should be a lot easier without starting from BanglamPho stn
Yup, that lack of food and beverage options, loud noise obstructing sleep, and inability to regulate the temperature would be deal-breakers for me. Did one overnight to Chiang Mai, and many overnighters to Isaan-all second class. By comparison, that first class wasn’t that much better. The minuscule cubbyhole compartment and cramped shower wouldn’t be enough to sway me. If Thai Railways had to delete the restaurant car because it was losing money, then they were not doing something right. Easier to save face by just deleting the service rather than bringing in experts to bring it up to standard.
If i was travelling solo and had to take the train, I would also book second class. But i really do like the privacy you get with the private cabin in 1st. You never need to worry about your stuff, you don't have to be as mindful of other people, and there's far less disturbance from other passengers.
actually the restaurants in the old sleeper trains were quite decent, real cooked food... in the new trains its basically microwaved CP or 7-11 meals (and now even none at all...)
For flight ticket, you have to book in advance 1-2 months, you will get a cheaper ticket. It costs me around 1,100-1,200THB (travel insurance included). But you have to board at Don Mueang Airport (old Bangkok Airport).
Thanks for the video. Honestly I prefer second class over first class when I am travelling alone. In second class you have more privacy. I always call my bed there "my sleeping cave". Apart from that it is really difficult for somebody not so sporty to reach the upper berth in first class. 555 You even have to start with the correct foot first. And if you can avoid the last carriage as it shakes you most. I love travelling by train not only in Thailand, but it is certainly not for everybody.
I watch a lot of these sleeper train videos. Two things I notice. First, very few people sleep well on a train. Second, you can tell quite a bit about the dynamics of a relationship by who sleeps on the top bunk.
you can tell the dynamics of a relationship by who sleeps on the top bunk 😂😂😂 Woah don't jump the gun there. You're putting way too much thought into something trivial. I slept on the bottom because i didn't want to fall from the top and injure my gf.
Can someone please advise me how to purchase 1st class sleeper tickets in advance? Want to buy for Bangkok to Chaing Mai in November, all I can find online are sites like 12GO that only seem to offer 2nd class tickets. Thanks.
The term "first class" is relative, and you must compare it to the alternatives. Your experience was better than sitting upright in a seat for all that time. You should have been advised to bring your own food and drink.
There’s many comparisons which you can draw up, but in this video I wanted to know if the luxury and comfort of a 1st class ticket was worth sacrificing the time and money in which you save flying economy ;)
Train journeys can be far better than flying for a relaxing and scenic journey, but they do need to be a true first class experience to justify the time spent in my opinion, and this is very far from that. Unfortunately, I don't think Thailand has any proper first class trains, aside from E&O, which is simply a very limited luxury tourism experience.
Tbh... buying new trains but not upgrading the tracks and other things.... I mean its like bringing in new airlines and planes but no proper support for them. I do hope they change and upgrade their tracks (I know its extensive work... Malaysia is doing it).
The loss of railways was a result of a populist policy of a government several years ago. This allows passengers to board for free, without paying. Nevertheless the subsidies given by the government each year are insufficient to cover their expenses, thus canceling this policy in many years later by other governments. However, even though the fare has been collected at present. But the overall price is still very affordable compared to other modes of transport. The making cross-provincial transport still popular including the motorcycles that you see.
Lets be very clear you are paying more a first class sleeper room with just yourself for a 13 hour train trip during the night instead of taking an airplane journey of 70 minutes with many choices of flight times??? Your other option in a first class sleeper car is to have a total stranger share it with you.
He already gave several reasons The novelty and lifetime experience aspect. Cheaper than flights depending on tickets. Jungle views and literally best scenery whilst traveling. You get to lie down and try to sleep unlike a minibus or even most planes where you can recline the seat but never get a bed unless you flew business class. Privacy that you get is far greater. What plane gives you a private room for 2?
Thank you for this video, I managed to book the new train from Hatyai to Krung Tep Aphiwat (Bangkok). Just a note : You need to book the train that indicates "Special express CNR" .. the letters CNR indicates it's the new train. If it's just "Special express" ... that is still the old train. However, these new trains are only used in certain lines. So majority of the train lines, especially those local trains, are still old trains.
Also, there is a restaurant carriage car so you can order your meals and have them bring to you at your seat :) But just to take note that the meals are slightly more expensive e.g. each set meal is about 200 THB comprising food, drink and fruit. So if you prefer cheaper options, you can get meals in the alternative way as shown in this video :)
I adore the little history lesson at the beginning!!! So many youtubers skip the interesting bits and make their videos all about themselves. THANK YOU for storytelling!
I love the extra research and history you include. Please keep them coming.
Thank you for watching, cheers :)
I'm writing a story that involves travelling through Aisa in the 1980s, and your video was just what I needed to get a first feel for what travelling through Thailand by train feels like! Thank you so much for making such informative and entertaining content
We have used the train quite a few times from Bangkok to Ubon, and always found it to be a pleasant way to travel, yes it’s not 5 star, but have managed to sleep well enough. Really enjoy your video’s very much.
I reckon ear plugs would have really helped me sleep better. Thanks for watching :)
I watch a lot of videos about Thailand and yours always with a lot of information I really enjoy watching them
Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Compiling valuable information does take a lot of time to research and edit, and sometimes i think to myself is the viewer even interested, but when i read comments like yours it motivates me to not compromise on this aspect of my videos, so Thank you :)
Thailand's sleeper trains are so good. Thanks for sharing 🙏
Alway enjoy your channel, very informative, much better than most with lots of interesting and fun things to do
Keep them coming
Cheers! These videos unfortunately do take more time to edit and so I can’t get as many out as I would like to, but that’s a trade off I have to face
I am very enjoy watching your video very nice view beside the rail road your video give me perfect detail I needed. thanks
This was one of the best most informative train vlogs I’ve seen. Great job mate.
Would love to try this route someday, love these trains! Thanks for the extra bit of history, very interesting 👍
I would definitely recommend you do it once :)
What I like the most from your channel is that you gave me the closest feeling of being there along with you where you were going. And this one is as ever, didn't disappoint any.
A bit addition about choosing the upper or lower bed when you're traveling with a lady. Normally you'd take the lower one and give the upper one to her. In Thai cultures there's a little difference. They'd let the lady choose and it'd end up with her choosing the lower bed due to better convenience, she wouldn't have to climb up and down especially when a personal hygiene is in need.
Thanks for always watching and commenting pal. btw she chose to sleep upstairs 😂
Thanks, that was excellent, explained well, links in description 🙏🏻
Thanks for the kind words 😁🙏
What a wonderful video especially the history you gave. Such a nice change for the usual tourist videos. Thank you
Thank you Anne. I really wanted to set myself apart from the other RUclipsrs with this video and give the viewer a comprehensive understanding on the rail system and the overnight sleeper trains. The views on my video unfortunately don’t reflect the effort and production quality that I put in when I compare it to the views other RUclipsrs have received on the same topic. With that said, I still remain very proud of this video and I’m glad it compelled you to want to share your thoughts with me in the comments, so thank you 😊
..great video, man. this definitely makes me wanna try hat yai by train. how much was the first class?
Thank you 🙏🙏 it is so informative! Great work!
The view from the window is EPIC! Especially 15:39
So funny you filmed your shower. 😂😂
The views from the cabin window were remarkable.
I had to film the shower otherwise i would have failed my mission in giving you guys a comprehensive tour 😂
Done this trip a few times but stopped at Surat thani , not first class but had our own room, air-conditioned was freezing but bottom bed was big enough for 2
awesome sleeper (especially when you consider the price) and an awesome video. btw how tall are you man? :D
Especially compares to the air tickets price now during the inflation and diesel skyrocket!!
Thanks mate, you could probably tell from the video that i'm fairly tall, I'm 193cm
Very good point, i wonder how much the price of domestic flights has shot up by
And it looks like he fit on the bed, but only barely 😂
Thank you, love from Thailand❤❤
And also 2nd class sleeper in the pictures that you show is an AC coach but they add fans in case the AC were broken
What an experienced right? Hope to experience that when I visit Thailand. Tnx for sharing this video. Always tc.
Thank you for this review! I'm planning to take the train to Chiang Mai but I'll be sure to bring ear plugs and food.
Love the videos mate, what do you film on? Should get an affiliate link going you’d get some extra $ coming in 😎
Watching Mugen Train on the train
The Irony haha
This video helped me a lot, planning for my trip to Thailand. Thank you for this video!
On several trips from Bangkok to LAO PDR and back. Similar cabin karma but no wheelchair. I enjoyed the gentle rocking and the background noise of the train which allowed me great sleeping all night with no wake ups.
If the trip allows one night for travel and sleeping together, I will choose the Thailand train every time but I am not in a chair for those trips
I love that they got the food delivered to the station! I wish we had that when we went 😂
Thanks for the video. I’m trying to get a train like this from hua hin to surat Thani in December but struggling on where to book 😆
Hey Bro.. great review..
How it was the wifi quality?
I was very excited for this but like most things in Thailand it never works as it should be :( good video though!
been BKK Chiang Mai BKK to Malay border at Sungai Golok and Padang Besar also to Non Khai not too bad for cheap
all part of the experience getting from A to B should be a lot easier without starting from BanglamPho stn
Do we need to enter full name with middle name while ticket booking as there is no option to enter middle name
very nice, who is rolling stock manufacturer?
The trains are from china
SRT has ordered 115 trains from China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation and China CNR Corporation in 2016
Is the ticket good for 2 persons? Or you have to pay 2.4k baht each?
I've travelled BKK to Nong Khai - great trip, different to MK to Euston!.
Thanks for your clear documentary style.
Yup, that lack of food and beverage options, loud noise obstructing sleep, and inability to regulate the temperature would be deal-breakers for me.
Did one overnight to Chiang Mai, and many overnighters to Isaan-all second class. By comparison, that first class wasn’t that much better. The minuscule cubbyhole compartment and cramped shower wouldn’t be enough to sway me.
If Thai Railways had to delete the restaurant car because it was losing money, then they were not doing something right. Easier to save face by just deleting the service rather than bringing in experts to bring it up to standard.
If i was travelling solo and had to take the train, I would also book second class. But i really do like the privacy you get with the private cabin in 1st. You never need to worry about your stuff, you don't have to be as mindful of other people, and there's far less disturbance from other passengers.
actually the restaurants in the old sleeper trains were quite decent, real cooked food... in the new trains its basically microwaved CP or 7-11 meals (and now even none at all...)
For flight ticket, you have to book in advance 1-2 months, you will get a cheaper ticket. It costs me around 1,100-1,200THB (travel insurance included). But you have to board at Don Mueang Airport (old Bangkok Airport).
Thx for tips, I rather go by plane as u mentioned, look 4ward for songkhla content👍
It’s cool to experience the sleeper train once though and Songkhla content is going to be awesome!
great video. how much was the train ride ?
Thanks for your good video. Do you make a reservation what a seat No is? For example, 1-2 or 3-4.
what do you expect for 10baht ? what can you get in the uk for that ?
Thanks for the video.
Honestly I prefer second class over first class when I am travelling alone. In second class you have more privacy. I always call my bed there "my sleeping cave".
Apart from that it is really difficult for somebody not so sporty to reach the upper berth in first class. 555 You even have to start with the correct foot first.
And if you can avoid the last carriage as it shakes you most.
I love travelling by train not only in Thailand, but it is certainly not for everybody.
What time they conver seats to beds?
nice video thx.
i subbed when i saw you watching mugen train
traveling long distance by train in Thailand always go 2nd class sleeper - it really is more comfortable!
Why is it more comfortable?
@@MergimVlogsYT not so cold and other human being to talk to
I haven't tried riding a train like that..looks comfy & nice..but d red boxers made my day..lol 😀 red really??? 😊😍😘
I watch a lot of these sleeper train videos. Two things I notice. First, very few people sleep well on a train. Second, you can tell quite a bit about the dynamics of a relationship by who sleeps on the top bunk.
you can tell the dynamics of a relationship by who sleeps on the top bunk 😂😂😂 Woah don't jump the gun there. You're putting way too much thought into something trivial. I slept on the bottom because i didn't want to fall from the top and injure my gf.
Actually we had sit-side-improvise nice sex on the 1st class sleeper train journey... short, forced super quiet, but most memorable!!😋😊😊👍🏼
Can someone please advise me how to purchase 1st class sleeper tickets in advance? Want to buy for Bangkok to Chaing Mai in November, all I can find online are sites like 12GO that only seem to offer 2nd class tickets. Thanks.
I would love to do this trip.
Good vid what was the price per person 🙏
interesting, thanks
Bring some farang food like : Subway :-P Love from Norway ! :-D
15:45 which city is that?
What we called this class? Cabin or 1st class sleeper?
How do I get a cabin to myself?
Looks like there needs to be train service north of Chang Mai.
I have boarded that train for the first time back in 2018
SRT has ordered 115 trains from China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation and China CNR Corporation in 2016
Why platform were so narrow. Which ever other countries I have been to I have not seen such narrow platform
The term "first class" is relative, and you must compare it to the alternatives. Your experience was better than sitting upright in a seat for all that time. You should have been advised to bring your own food and drink.
There’s many comparisons which you can draw up, but in this video I wanted to know if the luxury and comfort of a 1st class ticket was worth sacrificing the time and money in which you save flying economy ;)
The roof is quite low, the walk way, toilet and shower room. I guess the clearance is about 6'5".
Train journeys can be far better than flying for a relaxing and scenic journey, but they do need to be a true first class experience to justify the time spent in my opinion, and this is very far from that. Unfortunately, I don't think Thailand has any proper first class trains, aside from E&O, which is simply a very limited luxury tourism experience.
i agree there's definitely room for improvement, but the new trains are sure a massive upgrade to the previous trains.
Tbh... buying new trains but not upgrading the tracks and other things.... I mean its like bringing in new airlines and planes but no proper support for them. I do hope they change and upgrade their tracks (I know its extensive work... Malaysia is doing it).
The loss of railways was a result of a populist policy of a government several years ago. This allows passengers to board for free, without paying. Nevertheless the subsidies given by the government each year are insufficient to cover their expenses, thus canceling this policy in many years later by other governments. However, even though the fare has been collected at present. But the overall price is still very affordable compared to other modes of transport. The making cross-provincial transport still popular including the motorcycles that you see.
Seems that during the night you got hot and then cold, yes and then no. 😅😂
As a thai i can confirm our train isnt that great as the japanese or chinese but at least we can use it lol
It doesn't seem as though train travel in Thailand has changed in 30 years....and it hasn't changed 30 years ago either.
You had better travel with a helper who is patient and cooperative. That can be a real strain on the helper.
Okay, the conductor may not be the best, but the train is
Ice Thailand ice shurender Malaysia wine
Lets be very clear you are paying more a first class sleeper room with just yourself for a 13 hour train trip during the night instead of taking an airplane journey of 70 minutes with many choices of flight times??? Your other option in a first class sleeper car is to have a total stranger share it with you.
demon slayer !
Damn right ;)
It is customary to take motorcycles on the train
Thailand wines
Well, at least the trains here are not the same as in China or Japan; they are generally too modern
why would anyone take the train instead of flying ???
He already gave several reasons
The novelty and lifetime experience aspect.
Cheaper than flights depending on tickets.
Jungle views and literally best scenery whilst traveling.
You get to lie down and try to sleep unlike a minibus or even most planes where you can recline the seat but never get a bed unless you flew business class.
Privacy that you get is far greater. What plane gives you a private room for 2?
The experience mostly... it's memorable like he said at 20:26
I dint dare to took a shower on that train during the Pandemic……nah
What's with the face masks?
You take the train to rest your soul.
Normal for such a poor country
Are you albanian?
Mr complain....
All right keyboard warrior…