buhi
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Post by buhi on Dec 29, 2015 7:50:48 GMT 7
I do not enjoy driving anymore. Old age, arthritis, need to concentrate to avoid certain death add a little road rage. No fun. Being a pikey, I hope I have few pretensions with regard to my poorer brethren. To travel by train in Thailand is to join the ranks of the lowest order of society. Driving a car is a status symbol,let the world see how wonderful , affluent and a visible acclaimation of why I should be looked up to. A train, wife horrified, what was I thinking. Not true, first reaction yes, but we used to travel by train in our "younger" days as I enjoy the experience, seeing the constantly changing landscape. As a Westerner, I do not have the Thai aborhance of lowering my self proclaimed superiority , train journeys are up there with my fondest memories. As a young man I travelled all over Europe by train. In Britain train travel is a luxury, expensive, often it is cheaper to fly. What visual joy is there in flying? Thus it was agreed, to Cha am by train. Five hours of scenic bliss. Easy too, taxi to Udom Suk, 60 baht, sky train to Asoke 40 baht, underground to Hua Lamphong. Then the shocking price. Three adult tickets to Cha am, 40 baht, yes three tickets 40 baht not 40 baht each. Outrageous, stupid, why make such a loss? And then the truly outrageous, taxi, (song tell) from the station to the hotel. 200 baht. Much haggling and 150 baht was all I could bargain for. Not that I cared much, just the principle, Bangkok to Cha am 40 baht, bloody pick up truck 150 baht! Crazy. Great holiday.  |
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pathumseb
Crazy Mango Extraordinaire
I found you at last!
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Post by pathumseb on Dec 29, 2015 7:58:15 GMT 7
Yup, love taking the train in any country I am in. Love the journey you did, done it a couple of times myself. Enjoy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 9:25:23 GMT 7
Back in 1998 I took my only train journey in Thailand (from Nong Kai to Bangkok).
On the way there I took a coach but I was less than pleased with the terrible driving and the actions of the bus monkeys (the so called helpers).
Decided to go by train for the return journey and I must say that it was one of the most enjoyable journeys I have ever been on.
The seats where like armchairs and loads of space and the views out of the window were fantastic.
No first or second class was available on that journey but third class was absolutely brilliant and only Baht 170 for a 12 hour ride.
The slow speed of travel afforded me a great chance to view the scenery.
I would love to have the time to travel and fully explore Thailand by train but unfortunately I don't have the time now.
I have never understood the Thai's aversion to taking the train.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 10:24:24 GMT 7
Back in 1998 I took my only train journey in Thailand (from Nong Kai to Bangkok). On the way there I took a coach but I was less than pleased with the terrible driving and the actions of the bus monkeys (the so called helpers). Decided to go by train for the return journey and I must say that it was one of the most enjoyable journeys I have ever been on. The seats where like armchairs and loads of space and the views out of the window were fantastic. No first or second class was available on that journey but third class was absolutely brilliant and only Baht 170 for a 12 hour ride. The slow speed of travel afforded me a great chance to view the scenery. I would love to have the time to travel and fully explore Thailand by train but unfortunately I don't have the time now. I have never understood the Thai's aversion to taking the train. I'm a fan of trains, my fave mode of transport. However I haven't indulged in the Thai train system yet due to it's unreliability. I'm fine with the idea of a twelve hour slow coach ride from CM to BKK, but the oft heard journey of eighteen hours puts me off. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 10:34:50 GMT 7
Bleth, take a good book for any delays and allow plenty of time.
Don't travel during the Thai Holiday periods and everything is great.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 11:34:06 GMT 7
Back in 1998 I took my only train journey in Thailand (from Nong Kai to Bangkok). On the way there I took a coach but I was less than pleased with the terrible driving and the actions of the bus monkeys (the so called helpers). Decided to go by train for the return journey and I must say that it was one of the most enjoyable journeys I have ever been on. The seats where like armchairs and loads of space and the views out of the window were fantastic. No first or second class was available on that journey but third class was absolutely brilliant and only Baht 170 for a 12 hour ride. The slow speed of travel afforded me a great chance to view the scenery. I would love to have the time to travel and fully explore Thailand by train but unfortunately I don't have the time now. I have never understood the Thai's aversion to taking the train. Sorry, don't like quoting myself but maybe their aversion began when the Thais found out about Canary Sun's love of the Thai rail system. |
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Post by rgs2001uk on Dec 29, 2015 11:40:06 GMT 7
I should take the train more, trouble is having the car is way too convenient.
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Post by Fletchsmile on Dec 29, 2015 12:22:21 GMT 7
I should take the train more, trouble is having the car is way too convenient. ... and letting the wife drive too  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 12:38:42 GMT 7
So on came that little light bulb in my head.
We should arrange a train trip to the middle of nowhere in Isaan, as a Mangoes outing.
We could take loads of liquids with us and pretend to be Scottish people in the Glasgow to King's Cross buffet car with a crate of McEwans Export.
Half a day traveling and getting razzed up, take the local beer bars/karaoke joints by storm then travel back the next day after stocking up on more liquids.
I'm getting the first round in.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 12:40:27 GMT 7
Long train journeys are great. I'd like to do the trip to Russia one day on the Orient Express, Beijing to Moscow. Most fun on a train trip was bKK to Malay ( Kota Bahru) drank and played poker with a couple of Americans half the night.
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buhi
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Post by buhi on Dec 29, 2015 13:59:59 GMT 7
Alas Tony, alcohol is banned on all public transport now.
The rape and murder of that poor young girl, shoved out the train window was the factor changing the rules.
Fletch, I could not relax if my wife was driving. She took the test, paid the greasy palm and has never driven, a blessing to all.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2015 14:26:56 GMT 7
Forgot all about that ban.
Looks like we will have to bet smashed before getting on the train.
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onionluke
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I escaped from the dark and dingy orlop only to be captured by cattle rustlers and now
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Post by onionluke on Dec 29, 2015 15:01:29 GMT 7
The Bangok to Ubon Wharin train rattles along at a nice canter and beats the bus anyday.
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Post by jaywalker on Jan 1, 2016 14:23:57 GMT 7
My Dad and I took a (chicken) bus with 5 other guys from Panama City to Colon (Pacific Coast to Atlantic side), and took the train back in 1987. Did it all in one day.
FANTASTIC journey!
The train ride was the best! We had all chipped in $10 each for a translator/guide...Great guy!
We picked up a few jugs of local rum and had an entire open air bar car to ourselves, so we set up shop and got plastered.
Just a few locals here and there at a few stops, and a couple few joined us for a drink.
The entire train was maybe 4 cars, our bar car being the caboose. It rattled & rolled along about 35 mph, and the bathroom was stick your arm in the handle next to the back steps, hang on, and let it fly.
I wouldn't trade that train ride for the world!
I also did the bullet train from Hiroshima to Tokyo and back in one day. It was kind of neat in its own way.
I got my daughter a toy train set when she was five. My wife said "That's for boys!" The kid LOVED her little train and played with it every day for almost a year.
Yes, trains are cool.
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smokie36
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Post by smokie36 on Jan 1, 2016 15:20:45 GMT 7
The 1715 from King's Cross to Edinburgh every Friday for over a year.
Back then in 1st Class I'd glug two bottles of Chablis on the trip and get through a pack of smokes....a good book and no mobile phone chatter.
Loved those trips and in time for a nightcap at Greyfriars Bobby.
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