| Being experienced on the Bangkok to Malaysia Train | | | | connections in the bathroom areas where the |
| heading to the Penang side, seemed mellower | | | | conductors sit and where the hot water containers |
| compared to the Perhentian islands side. The train | | | | are. In Asia most airports and train stations have hot |
| was scheduled to leave Bangkok in the early | | | | water available so it is a good idea to carry some |
| afternoon and it is a good idea to be there on time, | | | | Nescafe packets or tea and Cup of Soup or noodles, |
| as my experience with Thai trains is that they run on | | | | which are great budget stretchers when on the road |
| schedule out of the main Bangkok station. A good bit | | | | regardless of flights or trains, as the terminals always |
| of advice is to stock up on munchies before you get | | | | zap you with a convenience premium. |
| to the train station especially if you like fresh fruit. | | | | The trains in Thailand for the 2nd class have seats |
| The train does have a restaurant car that serves | | | | during the day and then normally right after dark |
| mostly Thai dish's that if you like Thai food are ok. | | | | they start to make up the beds. The beds in the |
| The restaurant car can get a little rowdy at night as | | | | lower are generally a little wider. Both the lowers and |
| all of the train police, employees and regular riders all | | | | the uppers have curtains that close off the entire |
| sit around and drink Mekong & Chang and | | | | sleeping area. A good idea is to sleep on your |
| unwind after a hard day at the office, which for | | | | valuables, I have never had a problem or actually |
| many travelers is part of the charm and excitement | | | | meet anyone that has had a problem but it always |
| of the trip, as you can be a fly on the wall and | | | | pays to play it safe. Something that the Thai train |
| observe the locals with out feeling out of place or | | | | company should consider is lock boxes while they are |
| intruding. | | | | at it some sort of internet connection would be a |
| The train is cheap, around $40 for a 2nd class air-con | | | | good idea as well. |
| berth which is comfortable, be sure to get lower | | | | Most passengers will find that there are no real |
| bunks as the upper bunks will sway more so you | | | | surprises and the trip is straight forward and you can |
| don't get as good a sleep. You can also get 1st class | | | | figure out what you need to know on your own. The |
| air con seats where there are only 2 people in the | | | | only part that causes some agitation for most |
| cabin. The cabin is fairly small yet they managed to | | | | travelers on the trip is the border crossing, if you |
| fit in a sink and a mirror which are the only real | | | | take the train to Malaysia Butterworth station you |
| upgrades to the seats - berths. The biggest benefits | | | | first get off the train for Thai customs with out your |
| is the ability to lock the door from the inside, so if | | | | luggage, then get back on they move the train |
| you are traveling with your significant other you can | | | | forward a bit and then you clear Malaysia customs |
| have some "Risky Business" type nocturnal | | | | where you need to bring all of your luggage, which is |
| entertainment, not quite the same as the mile high | | | | usually a mad dash to get off at the same time as |
| club but something that will I am sure make the trip | | | | everyone else and cue up. This should be straight |
| more memorable. | | | | forward, but the customs mouse trap that they |
| The first class trains also have a shower which is a | | | | setup on the Malaysia side is fluid so there can be |
| nice feature on long trips, the bathrooms otherwise | | | | some confusion on where you should stand to get in |
| are the same. They don't really check tickets to see | | | | line. Lucky me I got behind the family that had some |
| what car you are suppose to be in after the first | | | | difficulty and was stuck in the line for nearly 30 |
| check so if you go from 2nd to 1st you can get | | | | minutes while they got the mess sorted and then |
| away with a shower as well. In both the first class | | | | back on to the train where now you have twice as |
| and 2nd class cars you can get electricity. For the 1st | | | | many people as you had before and the seats are |
| class cars the location of the sockets is apparent. For | | | | confused with new numbers and new passengers |
| the 2nd class cars you need to look a little bit, on | | | | that are loaded at the Butterworth station, so |
| one of the pillars in the middle of the car about half | | | | beware of this, as it will cause agitation and confusion |
| way up is a covered 2 plug socket. You will also find | | | | as you get it sorted out. |