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The distance from Hat Yai (Southern Thai) to Bangkok (Central Thai) is 748.19 km away. The journey seems to be ENDLESS! Finally, the train reached Bangkok Hua Lamphong หัวลำโพง Station by 10:30 a.m. (the next day). A BIG SIGHT OF RELIEF! I quickly flagged down a tuk-tuk and asked the driver to send me to Siam Oriental Inn in Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร. I booked a basic room in Siam Oriental Inn for 300 THB per night.
Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร is a backpacker haven. There were loads of cheap guest house over there. 'Mat Salleh' or farang ฝรั่ง were all over the place. At first, I was a bit worried. Crazy terrorist or even separatists might plant bombs or IEDs - Improvised Explosive Devices in one of the guest house or cafe. But my fears are completely unfounded. I felt safe seeing armed military and police personnel patrolling Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร.
Why do I choose to stay in Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร? Well, it is a strategic area. Places of interests such as Bangkok National Museum, Grand Palace and Wat Pho are located within walking distance.
Next Post...Bangkok กรุงเทพฯ!!!
My Hat Yai Trip
Looking Back - A slide show.
Title: The 3rd Class Coach
Location: Train to Bangkok, Hat Yai, Southern Thailand
Date: 2 September 2009, 3:07pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/3.5, ISO Equiv.: 200
It's cheap but not comfortable. Mini fans (on the roof) and windows wide opened.
Bangkok กรุงเทพฯ - Budget Accomodation/Stay:
Siam Oriental Inn & Siam Restaurant
190 Khaosan Road, Bangkok Thailand. 10200
Tel: +6626920312 Fax: +6626290311
Facilities: Attached bathroom, complimentary soaps & toilet papers, laundry service, internet cafe, free safety box, security camera, 24 hours and long term luggage storage.
Budget stay - Full Directory (Guest House, Inn, Hotels & Others):
Read travelers' review from travelfish.org -- http://tinyurl.com/22rzou
Bangkok กรุงเทพฯ - Useful Maps & Guide:
The 8 main areas in Bangkok - Sukhumvit, Silom, Rattanakosin, Khao San Road, Yaowarat and Pahurat, Thonburi, Phahonyothin, Ratchadaphisek. Click map for larger view.
Bangkok Transportation. Click map for larger view.
Khao San Road. Click map for larger view.
Bangkok กรุงเทพฯ - Train Ride:
Visit http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp for fares and timetable.
Bangkok กรุงเทพฯ - Read More/Useful Link:
a) http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok (Wikitravel)
b) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok (Wikipedia)
c) http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/bangkok/index.html (Thailand For Visitors)
Khao San Road ถนนข้าวสาร - Read More/Useful Link:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Bangkok/Khao_San_Road
Wow... this is the train that you gonna sit for 17 hours??
@Shelyn,
I've just returned from Hat Yai and Bangkok. It was a cheap but tiring ride.
Cheers!
mylo
You are a tough guy to take a non-aircon coach. I can imagine the torture of trying to sleep in a seat like that. Normally, I'd take an air-con coach with a sleeper but, of course, you pay much more.
mylo- i had done the same thing previously.It was cheaper to take a train from hatyai to bangkok rather that directly from penang.
wow...it's way cheaper than the train in china!!! i could undertsand your feeling too =p as i was taking such train in china before... as i couldnt get the 2nd class ticket... though the bed is small and narrow, but still better than 3rd class.. i took video too on the train of the train, passengers, and scenery... lot of fun :) some of them real act weird and i recorded all down XD wonder when i could get them upload on my blog... just be patient my friend =p i still have many surprises for you all
@Roger,
There's a first time for everything. Actually, that train trip is not so bad. I'll upgrade to air-con coach for future rides :)
@xplorer,
Yep, I did that. Well, I paid peanuts...I expect 'monkeys'.
Cheers!
mylo
@fufu,
Ooooh, I'm looking forward for those candid moments captured by fufu! I'm such a wuss and also a shy guy. I try not to do that and caught red handed. The difficult part was actually trying to catch a few winks at night. I saw 90% of the passengers were holding their legs and trying to sleep. Most of us look like 'kiong si' lol!
Cheers!
mylo
lol yeah the cheapest way ya... the journey on the train quite funny too.... but luckily the chinese still behave well... acceptable though some took my newspapers without asking me, or when i am reading, they ask for few pages, and then exchanged once i had finished reading mine... changed my window seat, etc... hihihihi kiong si?? you guys didnt wash the faces the next morning? lol well must be lacing of sleep.... well i slept like a pig on the train even with the normal sitting posture :)
@fufu,
I can't sleep 'properly' in trains. Looking back, it was funny...when the train stop briefly, Thai food peddlers will climb up the train and shout loudly in Thai 'Food!!! Food!! Get Your Fried Chicken and many other variations. Funny but also annoying.
Yeah... about newspaper...I was flipping the Bangkok Post paper for more than 20 times trying to kill my time. Well, in your case, I guess things like that happen when you are traveling on a long journey.
I washed my face only the next morning. But, the passengers including me look like zombie!