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Second-class carriages are found only on rapid and express trains. Air-con 2nd class is more common nowadays than ordinary (fan) 2nd class (with the latter available only on rapid lines).

FIRST CLASS

Each private cabin in a 1st-class carriage has individually controlled air-con (older trains also have an electric fan), a washbasin and mirror, a small table and long bench seats that convert into beds. Soap is provided free of charge. First-class carriages are available only on rapid, express and special-express trains.

Costs

Fares are determined on a base price with surcharges added for distance, class and train type (special express, express, rapid, ordinary). There is a 150B surcharge above the basic fare for rót dòo·an (express trains) and 110B for rót re·ou (rapid trains). These trains are somewhat faster than the ordinary trains, as they make fewer stops. Note that there are no 3rd-class carriages on either rapid or express trains. For the rót dòo·an pí·sèht (special-express trains) that run between Bangkok and Padang Besar, and between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, there is a 170B to 180B surcharge.

For distances under 300km, the base price is 50B to 80B; over 301km, 110B.

Some 2nd- and 3rd-class cars have air-con, in which case there is a 60B to 110B surcharge. Sleeping berths in 2nd class accrue another 120B to 240B surcharge.

For a 1st-class cabin the surcharge is 300/500B for upper/lower berth. Single 1st-class cabins are not available, so if you’re travelling alone you may be paired with another passenger, although the SRT takes great care not to mix genders.

TRAIN PASSES

The SRT issues a Thailand Rail Pass that may save on fares if you plan to use the trains extensively over a relatively short interval. This pass is only available in Thailand and may be purchased at Bangkok’s Hualamphong station.

The cost for 20 days of unlimited 2nd- or 3rd-class train travel is 3000/1500B per adult/child including all supplementary charges (ie type of train, air-con, etc). Passes must be validated at a local station before boarding the first train. The price of the pass includes seat reservations that, if required, can be made at any SRT ticket office.

TRAIN DINING

Meal service is available in rót sà·beeang (dining carriages) and at your seat in 2nd- and 1st-class carriages. Menus change as frequently as the SRT changes catering services. All the meals seem a bit overpriced (80B to 200B on average) by Thai standards. Many Thai passengers bring along their own meals and snacks to avoid the relatively high cost of SRT-catered meals.

Reservations

Advance bookings can be made from one to 60 days before your intended date of departure. It is advisable to make advanced bookings for long-distance sleeper trains between Bangkok and Chiang Mai or from Bangkok to Surat Thani during holidays – especially around Songkran in April, Chinese New Year and during the peak tourist-season months of December and January.

You can make bookings from any train station. Throughout Thailand SRT ticket offices are generally open 8.30am to 6pm on weekdays, and 8.30am to noon on weekends and public holidays. Train tickets can also be purchased at travel agencies, which usually add a service charge to the ticket price.

All advance bookings need to be made in person. If you are planning long-distance train travel from outside the country, you should email the State Railway of Thailand (passenger-ser@railway.co.th) at least two weeks before your journey. You will receive an email confirming the booking. Pick up and pay for tickets an hour before leaving at the scheduled departure train station.

For short-distance trips you should purchase your ticket at least a day in advance for seats (rather than sleepers).

Partial refunds on tickets are available depending on the number of days prior to your departure you arrange for a cancellation. These arrangements can be handled at the train station booking office.

Station Services

You’ll find that all train stations in Thailand have baggage-storage services (or ‘cloak