Guestbook for Train Guide

I hope you are finding the Thai Train Guide useful. I would love it if you used the form below to write a few comments about what you thought of the website and the free guide books. Please also leave suggestions to make the website and guide books better. Thanks!

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69 entries.
Alfred Chong Alfred Chong wrote on 13 December 2022
Thanks for the reply Richard. My Malaysian komuter train will stop at Padang Besar station. So to take the minivan or bus I need to proceed to the customs checkpoint? Is the distance far from the station?
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
I am afraid I don't have first hand experience of this yet. From what I understand you have to leave the train station before you pass through Immigration. Then cross the regular immigration checkpoints for Malaysia and Thailand. Minibuses from Padang Besar to Hat Yai are about 50 Baht.
Alfred Chong Alfred Chong wrote on 12 December 2022
Hi Richard, I'm planning to cross into Thailand from Padang Besar to Hat Yai via shuttle trainon the 17th, which I had done a few times. But I read about the bombing of the track on the 4th, so I'm concerned about whether the shuttle service is still running or suspended?
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
Yes trains are still suspended between Padang Besar and Hat Yai. You need to go by minivan or bus. Shouldn’t be more than 100 Baht.
Gill Hooley Gill Hooley wrote on 8 December 2022
Regarding the previous post. We are on the train from Huahin ..the night sleeper on january 9th and and our train to Malaysia to Taiping is at 13.40 so if its a bus service it will be a tight connection. Any chance you can keep us posted. I do check your train page several times a day
Regards Gill
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
I actually have a ticket to Padang Besar at the end of this month with a connection on the other side. So follow me on social media for updates.
Gill Hooley Gill Hooley wrote on 8 December 2022
Hello again Richard. We have just seen the travel advice regarding the southern line travel between Hat Yai and Padang basar. If we get off the train once it reaches Hat Yai , how easy is it to get a bus to PB as our service to Taiping is at 12.40
Many thanks Gill
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
When are you doing this as I’m on the Bangkok to Padang Besar train at the end of this month. I know there are minibuses or you can hire taxis to the border but it will take you longer to cross. I have quite a tight connection to get my train to KL. I need the the trains beyond Hat Yai to be running again before I go.
Gill Hooley Gill Hooley wrote on 6 December 2022
Hello Richard. My husband is trying to access his account on the thai trains site which he has done many times before but this morning he gets so far and now it is coming up wuth a security block of pictures which is all in thai and which he cannot understand or translate. Can you help
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
I need to see a screenshot. Can you send to richardpaknam@gmail.com
Klaus Klaus wrote on 27 November 2022
Hi Richard, I really appreciate your stories. You triggered me to do my first try out going by Thai train. My personal dream now is to follow all Thai train routes during the next 2 years. Thanks so much
Jean Luc Giraudon Nguyen Jean Luc Giraudon Nguyen wrote on 27 November 2022
Hi Richard.
Just a short reward to thank you for your work.
It's always a pleasure to read you.
Best regards and long life 🙏🙏
Andreas Andreas wrote on 27 November 2022
Was allowed to make this morning at Bang Sue station the nice acquaintance with the operator of this website. Thank you again for the info and the nice conversation
Great website
Gill Hooley Gill Hooley wrote on 24 November 2022
Hi Richard, we are taking the day train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Dec 27th. Will we be able to go from Bang Su Grand or will it still be Hualampong.
Thank you for all that you do. Would love to meet up for a drink this Christmas
Best wishes Gill
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
Trains are still going from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong). The latest I heard is that the move won't happen until after the new year holiday now so as not to confuse people during the busiest season.
Allan Carn Allan Carn wrote on 19 November 2022
Thank Richard for your efforts on the train guides. I simply love train rides? Anywhere will do.
I look forward to the Barrow / Bradshaw version at the end of 22. Please tell me where to buy it.
Love to buy you lunch next time in Thailand.
Regards
Allan
Sydney Australia
Ps.. back in Jan 23 and June 23.
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. The big guide will be delayed as I have to wait for an update to the timetables once the long distance trains move to the new terminal station. The aim is for the guide book to be free if I can find a sponsor.
Levi Basinger Levi Basinger wrote on 22 October 2022
My wife and I are planning our honeymoon in Thailand for February 2023. I would like to take the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I have heard you cannot book tickets for the state railway online, so I am wondering if you have any tips for purchasing rail tickets in advance if that is even possible. I want to make sure we get the good sleeping dorms on the train up north. Any advice you can provide would be helpful. Thank you!
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
Yes you can certainly buy online. Either at the official website (which is not easy for non-Thai speaking foreigners living abroad) or an agency website.You can only buy 30 days in advance but if you buy through an agency website they will be first in line to buy your tickets as soon as they go online.

Full details with options on our website: https://www.thaitrainguide.com/tickets/
Yee Chin Yee Chin wrote on 15 October 2022
Hi, me and my family will travel from Hat Yai to Hua Hin by train, may i know how to book ticket and if i want to book online which site should i go. Thank you
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
You can buy at any train station or online 30 days in advance. Full details with options on our website: https://www.thaitrainguide.com/tickets/
David David wrote on 14 October 2022
Hi

Do you know exactly what time of day each days tickets are released for sale?

I want to buy first class tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to travel late in November. I've been monitoring the system, and the first class carriage seems to sell out really quickly. For example today, to travel on the 13th November (30 days hence) there is now only one ticket left (at 1900 Thailand time).

Thanks
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
Sorry, I’m not aware of the exact time. You could try calling 1690 as they may be able to help you reserve a ticket. I think there’s also a problem that travel agencies can get group booking in advance of public sale. Your best bet is to go through one of the agency websites.
ROBERT PENNER ROBERT PENNER wrote on 5 October 2022
Hello Richard. Thank you for this web site. Would you be able to suggest how to go from Pattaya to Khon Kaen? Thank you.
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
It would be best to go to Bangkok first. Then catch a train heading to Nong Khai on the Northeastern Line such as Express No. 75. Leaves Bangkok at 8:20am and arrives in Khona Kaen at 3:30pm. It has 2nd Class air-con for 498 Baht and 3rd Class fan for 253 Baht.
Gill Hooley Gill Hooley wrote on 2 October 2022
Help..can you please advise the times of the number 45 and 46 trains from Bangkok to Padang Basar and return from Padang basar as the times seem to vary.
Many thanks
Gill
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
It is a little confusing as for the most of the journey the No.45/46 train is attached to the No. 37/38 train that runs between Bangkok and Su-Ngai Kolok. At Hat Yai, the No.45 is detached and then proceeds to Padang Besar. The No.46 is attached to the No.38 in Hat Yai for the return journey.

No. 45: Leaves Bangkok at 3:10pm and arrives in Padang Besar at 9:50am
No. 46: Leaves Padang Besar at 5:00pm and arrives in Bangkok at 12:45pm
Parinand Varnasavang Parinand Varnasavang wrote on 26 September 2022
Thank you for creating this travel guide for rail fans around the world to learn more about how to make a fun, memorable rail journey in Thailand.
Jordan Jordan wrote on 22 September 2022
Where and when can I see the New Japanese train again? I love it.
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
It is expected that they will be used on tourist routes during October. I will post information as soon as I get it.
Ian Macintosh Ian Macintosh wrote on 22 September 2022
Excellent. Thank you very much for your informative guide.
Narisa Chakrabongse Narisa Chakrabongse wrote on 12 September 2022
I love train travel so inspired to follow suit at some point.
mikes-LiveMyAssOff mikes-LiveMyAssOff wrote on 12 September 2022
THANK YOU!!!! So much for this. I absolutely Adore train travel in Thailand. The non-AirCon cars are my favorite. I've only taken a few rides (less than 10) but I cannot wait to take the next one. Side Trip Life's YT channel was the initial inspiration for the trips and now THIS BLOG is my go to for planning my next trip(S). I'm so grateful for You and the work you put into this. PLEASE let me know if I can help in any way.
All the best,
~mikes
Admin Reply by: Richard Barrow
Thanks very much for your kind comments. For sure there will be more trip planners coming. I am researching them for the guide books at the moment and will do web versions as well.