Comments on: Bangkok to Penang: 24 hour International Express Train

By: S. Azni

S. Azni — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:52:31 +0000

Hello Zen,
Will do.
My forthcoming trip should be very interesting and experimental because I (or anyone else for that matter) have never gone to the Floating Market getting off a train coming straight from the Malaysian border !
Strangely enough, in my net searches for The Floating Market, I have not come across 'How to get there'.
So here goes my little adventure !
Cheers

By: zda

zda — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:20:14 +0000

Hello and thank you for your insights! I would love to hear how the trip was for you. Enjoy Angkor - such a magical place!

By: S. Azni

S. Azni — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:10:13 +0000

Hello Zen,
Thank you for a very informative and factual account of the Bangkok-Butterworth train ride.
I myself am 55, hardly a youngster and am planning a train journey the other way round, ie from Butterworth to Bangkok in May "10. I am rather baffled that anyone should hint that people our age were not suitable for such a journey !

I am a Malaysian and actually, will be boarding the train at Alor Setar (first major stop from Butterworth) and getting off at Ratchaburi (last major statin before Bangkok).

I usually take a flight to Bangkok but am opting for the train on this occasion because I know it will be fun and I am accompanying a friend out from the UK who has never been to these parts and would like to soak up as much Asian experience as possible (after a few days in Bangkok, we catch a local train to Aranyaprathet on the Kampuchean border and onto Siem Reap and its famous world heritage site, Angkhor Wat).

I used to travel to Bangkok by train very frequently as a child and this will afford me a truly sentimental journey and a dip into my past.

By the way, we are getting off at Ratchaburi because from there, it should be a short hop to get to the world reknown Floating Market of Damnoen Saduak before proceeding to Bangkok proper.

I would like to add to your article by saying that 14 or so carriages on this international Express belong to Royal Siam Railways(RSR) and 1 belongs to Malaysian Railways(KTM). I have not travelled by train to Bangkok for close to 40 years and I remember we used to prefer the Thai coaches because as they were non airconditioned, the windows can be opened and you can buy things at station platforms from hawkers through the windows. On the other hand, if you were in the Malaysian airconditioned coach, you have to make a mad dash in order to buy something and not be left behind !

The first class compartments were individual booths and you get more privacy.
We preferred to go over to the dining coach rather than have the food brought over to the cabin to avoid having to put up with dirty dishes,bottles and what not. cluttering our cramp cabin and alleyway.

Just one criticism though and that is the toilets may not be what you would expect from an International Express. My advise is try to avoid having to use it. Taking a shower (as is doing all other toilet functions) also poses a real challenge with all the rocking and swaying !

In spite of this, I would recommkend this form of travel for all.

btw,are you sure all the Immigration/Customs formalities are carried out at Hatyai Junction?
I remember it was at the border of Padang Besar.

All the best and happy travelling.

By: Hans

Hans — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:34:40 +0000

Dear Zen-Aida

I read your "Bangkok to Penang: 24 hour International Express Train" congratulation : interesting report (personal and emotional) and really nice photos.

I look forward to your next travel report !

Hans (Switzerland)

By: zda

zda — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:07:35 +0000

Hello Anjali, have you gone to the website http://www.seat61.com ? It is really most informative and gives all the details, that is where I got a lot of my information from. Be sure to insist on a lower bunk, then you get the window and a much larger head-space. I also suggest to bring some drinking water along and some snacks. Otherwise, the meals that are offered are prepared fresh in the kitchen carriage and are quite tasty. Have Fun! Oh, and if you go to Penang and like to stay in historic places, check out the Chen Fatt Tze Blue Mansion. Quite lovely! It was also used for the movie "Indochine" with Catherine Deneuve. I will be writing about it soon....Happy Holidays and greetings from Wilderness in Western Cape Province, SA

By: Anjali

Anjali — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:51:09 +0000

I have planned to travel on this route on 5th Feb.10. Your report is quite informative and will definitely useful for me. All my doubts are cleared, except one -
I am trying to book bangkok to butterworth online, but when I go to search seat, the train station"butterworth" is not in the list. What do I do? I want to book online so as to travel without worry of getting ticket.
Anjali

By: Thai Orchid

Thai Orchid — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:40:47 +0000

That is great. Thank you for sharing.

By: Diane Harrison

Diane Harrison — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:35:00 +0000

It definitely took me back to my trip to Thailand in the 80's - hearing you describe the poverty and the heat and humidity. Good for you - enduring these hardships at this age. Not sure I could manage so well. We do get used to our creature comforts.
Diane

By: zda

zda — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:22:27 +0000

Gerne... aber es dauert noch eine Weile...lieben Gruss, Zenaida

By: Knut

Knut — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:40:58 +0000

Lasst mich bitte dabei sein wenn Du wieder zurück in München bist
und von Deiner Reise berichtest!
Das möchte ich unbedingt "first hand" erleben und erlauschen!

K n u t, der weiterhin eine gute Reise wünscht!