Overnight sleeper BKK/Chiang Mai

I am intending to book to travel by over-night 1st Class sleeper BKK/Chiang Mai on my imminent forthcoming visit. I have searched all the on-line web sites dealing with the Thai rail system and cannot find an answer to the following:

What, if any, buffet/dining/restaurant car facilities are there on the overnight train or has one to take one's own food/drink ?

Can anyone with relevant experience provide me with the information please. Thanks

I have only done the trip a couple of times in the other direction, and in 2nd class, not first. Not long after leaving, the conductor came round and took orders for dinner - when these where delivered later they were "lunch boxes" - ie meals in a polystyrene box - rice and whatever. Very cheap, and not too bad. Also lots of hawkers at the various stations.

[atri1666]

I have done one time with friend in firstclass-sleeper. I liked it very much. We have had our "room" with aircondition. For me was very cheap - about 1350 baht each ticket. In the train was a restaurant car and for first class also small catering. For informations you can look here http://www.chiangmai-thai.com/train_schedule.htm and also under http://www.railway.co.th/English/

......... In the train was a restaurant car and for first class also small catering. For informations you can look here http://www.chiangmai-thai.com/train_schedule.htm and also under http://www.railway.co.th/English/
Thanks VM Atri. Had already looked at both links but cannot see any information on restaurant/buffet facilities (especially on overnight train).

The rest of your reply probably gives me the answer I need. But, if anyone else has more info or can expand on Atri's reply please do so. Thanks again

[atri1666]

I forgot in first class you have 50kg luggage free and for the train in Thailand, no advance reservation is available. What you have to do is to go to the train station to purchase the ticket; only then the space is guaranteed. You can purchase the ticket 60 days before travel date. You can buy also online with charge of 200 baht here :
http://www.asia-discovery.com/train.htm - may be with email you can ask for the actual informations because we made the trip about 3 years back but i will do again.

I forgot in first class you have 50kg luggage free and for the train in Thailand, no advance reservation is available. What you have to do is to go to the train station to purchase the ticket; only then the space is guaranteed. You can purchase the ticket 60 days before travel date. You can buy also online with charge of 200 baht here :
http://www.asia-discovery.com/train.htm - may be with email you can ask for the actual informations because we made the trip about 3 years back but i will do again.
Thanks again. The info I have been given regarding advance booking on-line is that such bookings by email should be done between 30 and 15 days before departure date:

How to buy tickets - by email to passenger-ser@railway.co.th...
Although it's easy to book at the station, if you want to travel at peak Thai holiday periods or absolutely have to be on a particular train soon after arrival in Thailand, you may want to book in advance. You can do this by email with the State Railways of Thailand or via a travel agency. To book with the State Railways of Thailand, email them at least 15 days before your date of travel on passenger-ser@railway.co.th or fax + 66 2 225 6068. Your fax or e-mail must include the journey, date, train number, departure time, class, seat or sleeper (upper or lower berth), number of passengers, your name and e-mail address, and whether you want to collect your tickets at Bangkok Airport station (Don Muang) or Bangkok Hualamphong station in the city centre. You will receive an e-mail confirmation, and you then collect and pay for your tickets at the station booking office at least 1 hour before departure. Bookings open 30 days before departure, but email bookings are only accepted more than 15 days before departure to give them time to respond. The Thai railways charge 200 Baht (┬г3 or $5) per email booking. Booking this way normally works well, but recently several people have said they waited up to 2 weeks for a reply, so you may just have to be patient. If you have any problems, or need to make a booking less than 15 days before departure, try using an agency such as Thaifocus or Traveller2000.
http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm#How%20to%20book

All that is in hand but just wanted the info regarding buffet/dining facilities on the night train. Thanks again for your interest and advice.

[Hmmm]

We have taken the overnight first class train to Chiang Mai and back (several years ago now), and also to Surat Thani. The only food service was breakfast. A guy came round (maybe the night before ?) and took orders. Ask for the Thai menu. Half the price and twice the choice. Very average quality, but better than the 'western' breakfast.

I doubt that there was a restaurant car. Before boarding I walked the length of the train and didn't see a food car. More likely roving food sellers (dried squid anyone ?), but they never made it to first class.

The attendent came and prepared the two bunk beds for us around 9pm. When he turned in for the night, he slept on the floor at the end of the carriage, and the doors to other carriages were locked.

I would suggest you eat before boarding, or bring your own food and water.

On the overnights that I remember being on the dining cars close at 10:00pm.

[billyhouston]

In February I had, for technical reasons, to take the train CNX-BKK-CNX rather than flying. The First Class sleepers get booked very early, especially during High Season. Book just as soon as you can otherwise you end up with a Second Class sleeper... or even no sleeper at all.

[Geezer]

I have taken overnight trains to CM and elsewhere 10 -12 times (love trains -- hate airports). I always get a bedroom, sometimes take a boy; thatтАЩs fun. Of course the rooms accommodate two people. If you want it alone, thereтАЩs a surcharge -300 bt. I think. Be sure you reserve it early. One can book a reservation on any train at any station; itтАЩs all computerized. Of course if you have a friend in Thailand they can easily buy the ticket for you, or you can get a travel agent to do it for 200 bt.

Every overnight train I have been on has had a dining car. I can see how one could miss it. The compartments are at the rear of the trains (leaving BKK), and the dining car is at the opposite end. You have to walk a long way to get to them.

ThatтАЩs one of the best parts. As I walk through the train I look for a cute boy who is facing a long night sleeping in a seat. One time a boy said he would like to sleep in a nice air conditioned bedroom, I paid the conductor the difference, and we had a very pleasant journey.

The dining cars, are day coaches converted to dining/kitchen cars, with tables and chairs. Remember, this is Thailand. ItтАЩs not the Eastern and Orient Express; you canтАЩt afford that anyway. HereтАЩs an excerpt from a letter I wrote a friend:

Management of the dinning car on each train seems to be autonomous, as the operation of each is completely different. This one had vases with a rose on each table. I dined late and was surprised when, as I had almost finished, the overhead lights went out, flashing colored lights appeared, and music blasted from huge speakers.

At nine oтАЩclock a crowd surged in and it became a disco. IтАЩm not a disco kind of guy, (if itтАЩs too loud, youтАЩre too old) so I didnтАШt stay, but when I left that coach was rockinтАЩ in more ways than one.

I have travelled on night trains for many years in 2nd class and have always found it comfortable.

The is ALWAYS a dining room which is open from when the train starts till 10pm. The food is not great but,
although it is a tad expensive (as all trains are). it is certainly edible both for dinner and breakfast.

Don't for get that they probably lock the 1st class carriages to keep the plebs out and the 2nd class are caertainly locked after 10 pm.

Have a good trip!

[Geezer]

Yes, the porter sleeps on the floor at the door of the sleeping cars (at least), so youтАШre not locked in. That would be a deal breaker!

I am intending to book to travel by over-night 1st Class sleeper BKK/Chiang Mai on my imminent forthcoming visit. I have searched all the on-line web sites dealing with the Thai rail system and cannot find an answer to the following:

What, if any, buffet/dining/restaurant car facilities are there on the overnight train or has one to take one's own food/drink ?

Can anyone with relevant experience provide me with the information please. Thanks


Good idea.

Be aware, that the train usually is leaving BKK or CM on time! Arrival time is something different....

Recharge your batteries before leaving, especially your camera. The scenic from early mornings onwards is spectacular. Mobile phone will not work during all the way but always near large places.

I did this trip many times since I like to run around if I am feeling like it, this is something I cannot do on bus. I love to watch and take pictured from inside Thailand; this is why I don't like flying.

There is a "on the seat service". And there is a buffet car where you can buy, sit and consume food and drinks. We do have sometimes parties, including karaoke in buffet car which went well with all the cooking staff, police and other railway staff.

The buffet car closes usually from 22 - 6 hrs. We have had parties until 23.30 h but the breakfast next morning wasn't that exiting since staff was still hangovered....

From 22 - 6 h the railcars are locked at one side and a guard is sleeping of floors at opposite door. This is for safety. But be aware that many backpackers are using these services and some are stealing all they can get hold on.

I usually prefer the 2 class fan lower berth. The first class and second class air-con can get very cold. And you cannot open windows. From lower berth second class you can open windows and watch all along. Upper berth is smaller and facing the wall. Clean bedding is provided for any berth.

At trains stations you can buy some drinks at around half price but you can get ice and glasses on the train without any problems. A large bottle of beer is about 100 to 120 TBT, pending on what's on offer.

Staff is just great. It is not for the small supplement (service charge of 10 %) they get, it's just genuine.

I often have had someone sharing my small berth.

The Thai railway system is old and worn. But it's a true experience.

[bucknaway]

A few things about the slow train to Chiang Mai....

*If you are traveling alone and buy a ticket for a 1st class sleeper car, you will have to share your car with a stranger.

*The train takes a LONG time to get to Chiang Mai and it will be early afternoon when you arrive

*The first class toilet is a very clean squat type toilet. The other toilets are to be seen but dont touch anything!

*Dinner is served on the train but bring plenty of cash because it is NOT CHEAP!

*If your digital camera does not have an instant on, buy a disposable camera to take pictures of things you see because they will not wait around for your camera to go through the start-up cycle.

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[francois]

I have taken this overnight train and there was no dining car. I was in First Class and food and beer were brought to our cabin by a steward and was not especially good. I asked if I could "walk" the train and was told it was not feasible. There may have been some sort of dining facilities toward the front of the train but seemed to be off limits to First Class passengers. We were the last car in the train and could stand on the rear platform to observe the view. For drinkers I would suggest bringing your own bottle if you want anything other than beer. The toilet was standard Western. This train left Bangkok in the afternoon and arrived in Chiang Mai the next morning.

[bucknaway]

If they have not changed the train setup, if you had walked the train, you would come across the kitchen car and you could see the cooks preparing the food and plastic sealing it to take back to the first class car. Once you walked further forward you would be in the trains bathroom car and it was rusting metal and the toilet emptied onto the tracks underneath the train.

I was last on the train 4 years ago and my information may not be as up to date. :)

If they have not changed the train setup, if you had walked the train, you would come across the kitchen car and you could see the cooks preparing the food and plastic sealing it to take back to the first class car. Once you walked further forward you would be in the trains bathroom car and it was rusting metal and the toilet emptied onto the tracks underneath the train.

I was last on the train 4 years ago and my information may not be as up to date. :)

Thanks for sharing!

[lonelywombat]

The rail journey has whetted my appetite for train travel again.

I plan to do some in Europe this year.

One question is does a train go further north than CM.

Is it possible to go onto Burma,Llaos or even China by rail?

The lower berths are well worth the extra baht over the upper berths in 2nd class airconditioned as they are a little larger and are windowed with curtains making the whole trip more accomodating with the beautiful morning views from your bed. Always try to get a berth near the middle of the cars. Thai trains are narrow guaged and the difference in rocking is significant (more rocking and more noise and more humidity changes from door opening at the ends of the cars).

Whatever others seem to think (how great) I always found the trip uncomfortable, and often noisy with backpackers. As for the 'rooms' how can anyone call it a room? More a closet to me on a train. But then, thats just me. bon voyage

The rail journey has whetted my appetite for train travel again.

I plan to do some in Europe this year.

One question is does a train go further north than CM.

Is it possible to go onto Burma,Llaos or even China by rail?

Northern Line end s in Chiang Mai.

From Thailand crossing by rail into Lao (Laos doesn't have no official railway anymore), Myanmar or Cambodia or China (no railway connection) isn't possible yet. There are two rail lines from Thailand into Malaysa.

Entering China from Viet Nam is possible by rail. Viet Nam railway is good and the lines are spectacular.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed. Got a lot of useful pointers and info. Much appreciated.

(Hope the thread has been useful to others as well).

Chok Dee Krahp !

[quote="bucknaway"]A few things about the slow train to Chiang Mai....

*If you are traveling alone and buy a ticket for a 1st class sleeper car, you will have to share your car with a stranger.

That's correct.

*The train takes a LONG time to get to Chiang Mai and it will be early afternoon when you arrive

According to my experiance arriving during afternoons is unusual. The night train arrives usually between 10 and 12 h.

*The first class toilet is a very clean squat type toilet. The other toilets are to be seen but dont touch anything!

At secound class there is are shower and Thai style toilet and a Western style toilet and shower facing each other at one end of carriage and there is also a open washing area at the other end. The train staff is cleaning all facilities several times during any trip but due to the heavy use it is obvious that first class toilets are looking differently. It is wise to bring some own toilet paper. Drinking water (for brushing teeth etc.) can be bought on the train.

*Dinner is served on the train but bring plenty of cash because it is NOT CHEAP!

For food count between 80 to 120 per dish / breakfast. Thai food is acceptable. If you want your food at aout set, there is a 10 % service charge.

*If your digital camera does not have an instant on, buy a disposable camera to take pictures of things you see because they will not wait around for your camera to go through the start-up cycle.

Charge all batteries well before boarding the train or have some spare ones. The trains do have only a very few plugs abailible for recharging batteries. Ask some of the waiters, they will arrange it for you. But you have to have an eye on your kit.

The Thai railway system is pretty old. Most parts are single track. The equipment is also well used und usually importet secound hand material from Korea and Japan. But it all works. And it is an amazing world of it's own.