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JourneysThailand

Special Express 31 Thaksinarath: Bangkok to Hat Yai by First Class Private Sleeper Train

written by Nicholas Lim October 31, 2018

The Special Express 31 Thaksinarath, operated by the State Railway of Thailand, is a convenient sleeper train running from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Hat Yai, offering easy access to Southern Thailand and also the most comfortable option to connect with trains to Malaysia. The Special Express 31 Thaksinarath is the newest and best sleeper train available on this route out of the 5 daily pairs of trains, so tickets sell out quickly and it’s highly recommended to secure your trip in advance.

Now you can easily book your train tickets in Thailand with Baolau.

 

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) train service

The State Railway of Thailand or SRT is the national railway operator of Thailand, with many lines departing and arriving to the capital, Bangkok.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

For the Southern Line, a wide range of trains and travel classes are available, from simple hard benches to private rooms with external hot showers. For this journey, we will be taking the Special Express 31 train.

 

Departure from Bangkok

Bangkok’s grand Hua Lamphong Railway Station is the main hub of train services to all parts of Thailand. Getting to Hua Lamphong Railway Station is easy with the MRT Blue Line offering direct access to it. Alternatively, getting a taxi to the station is relatively easy as well since all drivers (and possibly every local) would know where Hua Lamphong Railway Station is.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The train’s details are flashed on the screen at the entrance to the platform, so you definitely know you’re going to get on the right train.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The Thaksinarath runs on CRRC coaches, the newest and most comfortable train on SRT’s fleet, along with the Uttravidhi service running between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, and the Isan Mankha service running between Bangkok and Nong Khai.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

 

Passenger experience

Boarding the Thaksinarath train bound for Hat Yai.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The interior of the Air-Conditioned First Class Day & Night Coach (ANFCN) features 12 compartments, each with one upper and lower berth.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

A copy of the entertainment guide and railway magazines are available in the compartment.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Complimentary bottled drinking water is provided for each passenger.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

In the daytime configuration, the lower berth is used as two seats.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

There are also entertainment screens on each berth, towards the corridor side.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Aside from the touchscreen, there are physical buttons to control the entertainment system as well. This comes with a USB port for charging your mobile device.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Shortly after departure, the conductor comes around into every passengers’ compartments to distribute headsets for the entertainment system and towels for the shower.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

As a premium, a hot shower is also available on the First Class coach. Soap is provided in the shower cubicle.

 

Western-style toilets and separate gents-only urinal can be found on board.

 

 

The journey

The Thaksinarath service between Bangkok and Hat Yai takes 15 hours 50 minutes. On the way, the train stops in Chumphon and Surat Thani.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Upon departure, the conductor comes around to check for the tickets. Since State Railway of Thailand introduced the use of electronic tickets in 2017, passengers can either present the physical ticket purchased at the station or a printed copy of the electronic ticket purchased via internet. If you book your train tickets online with Baolau, you will receive the official electronic ticket issued by SRT by email. The electronic ticket is a valid boarding pass, although passengers are requested to print the e-ticket in advance and carry the printout while boarding. Please do not carry the e-ticket in your mobile phone or tablet as digital copies are not accepted.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Leaving Bangkok Hua Lamphong, the train makes a brief stop at Sam Sen. In intermediary stations, train attendants assist passengers boarding and delivering the luggage at their compartments.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Passing by Bang Sue Central, the future Bangkok terminus for all trains operated by State Railway of Thailand.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Crossing through the Rama 6 bridge over the Chao Phraya river.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Around lunch time, the restaurant staff passes by the First Class coach and takes orders, meals are delivered to the compartment.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

A Green Curry Fried Rice and Pinky Milk costs 59 Baht and 45 Baht respectively. The food tastes pretty alright for being pre-cooked and microwaved.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Continuing on the main line down south, the next key stop is Ratchaburi, where you can get truly local food from vendors posted at the train platform.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

As the Thaksinarath consists of fully air-conditioned cars with automatic doors, passengers need to approach the exit doors and purchase directly from the vendors as they cannot come inside the train or hand the food packs through the windows, unlike ordinary trains.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Packs of Kway Teow noodles are available here for just 10 Baht per box, but mind the level of spiciness in local Thai food.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The train continues its journey South through Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi into Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The sunset offers a nice scenery of the Thai Riviera provinces.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

In the evening, passengers can opt to walk to the restaurant car to get dinner or a snack.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The seating area of the restaurant car can get full, so you can wait or take your food back to your cabin to eat.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

Some snacks and dinner meals include Pork Salapao and Pork Khanom Jeeb.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

When the night comes, to convert the seats into berths it will be up to the passengers of First Class to decide on the timing, as compared to the fixed timing in Second Class. Simply press the bell button to call for the attendant.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The light above the door on the corridor will light up to let the attendant know which compartment to serve.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The whole conversion procedure including laying an additional mattress and putting on new sheets for all bedding takes around 2 minutes.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The First Class berth, ready for the night.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

A reading lamp is also available by the bedside, if you do require one at night.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

The Thaksinarath arrives into Hat Yai just after sunrise at 6:35 AM.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

 

Arrival to Hat Yai

Trains can sometimes arrive to Hat Yai some minutes ahead of schedule, which means more time for breakfast before getting the shuttle train from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, across Malaysia border.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

For passengers who are planning to stay in Hat Yai, there is a bus transfer service from the city to Pak Bara Pier in Satun province that connects with speedboat ferries to Koh Lipe island.

Bangkok to Hat Yai by train

 

How to book your train tickets from Bangkok to Hat Yai

Train travel in Thailand is very popular among locals and tourists alike, and tickets for the Southern line on the Thaksinarath do sell out quickly, sometimes about a month before departure during peak seasons. It is wise to book your tickets early in advance after arranging your travel plans.

Baolau lists the SRT services available, so you can compare and select the most convenient schedule and price.

Book your train tickets from Bangkok to Hat Yai

Fill in the passenger form and select your preference, Lower berth or Upper berth. We will carefully select the best places for you and your travel company depending on the availability in First Class for the travel date. Complete your payment before submitting the booking request. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email with the electronic tickets attached.

The electronic tickets are valid boarding passes. However, passengers are requested to print the e-ticket in advance and carry the printout while boarding. Please do not carry the e-ticket in your mobile phone or tablet as digital copies are not accepted by the train conductor.

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