on the move: Thailand - Bangkok to Chumphon on the train

We got the 0805 train from Bangkok station. It arrived at 0810 so we left 20 mins late. The train was a 2 car diesel sprinter. We were shown to our seats by the hostess. The seats were a old style leather but the best part was the seats didn't even feel secured to the floor of the train! The train was half full as it picks up along the route. It does a 9 hour journey to Surat Thani in the south, we were to get off slightly more north at Chumphon. A bit more about the train... it has at least 1 driver, a hostess, a ticket inspector/security man and a cleaner. Luckily both carriages have air con and fans. We were treated to coffee, pastries and lunch.

The journey had spectacular scenery. After going through central Bangkok we passed through the suburbs and then into rural Thailand. The train ride was very bumpy and often had to stop when cattle wondered across the line. The horn of the train became more frequent and longer the more reluctant the cow was to move out the way... luckily no collisions occured. Chumphon was reached at 1419.

We walked 10 mins to our hostel - Salsa Hostel. It is a very clean and tidy place run by friendly people. A 4 person dorm room with 2 bunk beds does the job. After dropping out bags off in the room we take a wonder around town. As virtually the only non locals we stand out like a sore thumb. The locals do stare at us but not in a menacing way. We bump into a German traveller Bastian who arrived on the same train as us. After a KFC we head back to the hostel for beers in the front bar.

Bastian later walks past our hostel bar and we spend a few hours chilling over a few beers.

below: our train arriving into Bangkok (late)