I have just finished a couple of very busy weeks. I was lucky to travel from Ubon Ratchathani to Pattaya, spend a few days with friends, travel back to Ubon with friends who were able to visit for about a week.

 

I flew on Air Asia to BKK. I used the Bell Transport Bus to get to Pattaya. It left the airport at noon, and at 2:30 I was checking into Howards Guest House on Soi VC. This was great service, traveling to the Pattaya station by AC bus, and then delivered by Van to my hotel.

 

Howard's was a great place to stay. Near the action and still very quiet and comfortable.

 

I had a great time in Pattaya with friends, and also ate (too much) great food at some good restaurants.

 

The return to Ubon was by train. We were picked up at Howard's at 12:30 p.m., taken to the bus station by van, ant then by bus to Bell's Bangkok office. We transferred to a Van which delivered us to the train station at about 3:00 p.,m. We had quite a wait for our 8:30 train, but passed the time sitting at Dick's cafe, and then walked back to the train station on Rama IV.

 

The train trip to Ubon was very nice. We had a Class 1 Sleeper, which gave us a private room with an upper and lower bunk, small sink, and there was a real bathroom with a toilet at the back of the train car.

 

We arrived in Ubon at 7:30 a.m. and spent the rest of the week with friends at my home. We did some traveling around the area, and did a float trip/BBQ on the Moon River. It was a nice week, and enjoyed the company. I will try to add a few pictures soon.

Nice to know that Bell also services the train station in BKK. Thanks for the information.

Nice to know that Bell also services the train station in BKK. Thanks for the information.

 

For 350 baht you will be picked up at your Pattaya hotel, taken to bus station, s/c bus to bell station in Bangkok, and then by van to the hotel of your choice or the train station. There were two of us this trip, and had our own van direct ot the train station.

I had a good time visiting with old friends in Pattaya...and enjoyed a few tall cool ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a reclining Budda at a temple about 80 km NE of ubon, near Amat Cheron. It is at a mountain top temple kind of out in the middle of no where!

 

 

 

 

 

This is a painting within the the temple at the mountain top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the pair of lions at the gate to the temple.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the food that was served on a pontoon raft oin the Moon River at one of the "beach" restaurants in Ubon.

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed a four hour trip on the Moon River on a flat bottom boat. We were able to BBQ on deck, and had some great shrimp, calamari, and chicken, with plenty of cold drinks!!

 

 

 

 

An impressive array of transportation! Too far to go Ubon -> Pattaya by car unless you break the journey, so flying or train a lot more restful. I haven't flown but used the train from Bkk as far as Surin before now. Alas, only 2nd class! I've travelled through Ubon by car a couple of times on the way to the Mekong. Didn't stop to take in the sights - maybe I should have - the Moon River cruise looks VERY relaxing. Thanks for sharing the pics.

GaySacGuy ...... can you post the cost of the train in the class you used from BKK to Ubon?? Thanks.

GaySacGuy ...... can you post the cost of the train in the class you used from BKK to Ubon?? Thanks.

 

The cost for a class 1 sleeper is 1280 for bottom berth, and 1080 for upper berth one way Ubon/Bangkok. The class 2 sleeper with A/C is 761 lower and 691 upper, and is comfortable but no private room.

 

The diesel railcar, which is a great way to travel during the day, is 551 baht for a one way trip.

 

These are all pretty reasonable for the product you receive.

 

If you would like a great deal of information, check out http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

 

It is a great website with lots of info. If you check the Thai rail company website from the above site, you can get full schedules and cost.

 

In 2nd class it's extremely uncomfortable to have two in a bunk. Is it the same in 1st class?

In 2nd class it's extremely uncomfortable to have two in a bunk. Is it the same in 1st class?

 

Of course it’s uncomfortable. It’s not designed for two people. I’ve traveled a great deal by train in Thailand and in other countries, and never seen two in one berth. Of course I never pulled back the curtains to see; my reputation is shaky enough as it is.. I didn’t think two were permitted.

 

The two berths in each room in first class are wider, but still not designed for two. By the way, if you want the first class room by yourself you usually need to pay for both berths, although once I only had to pay a small surcharge.

 

When in a room alone I walk through the third class cars where they must sleep in thier seats. I look for a sturdy lad to ask if he might prefer a more comfortable accommodation for the night. Unfortunately they always seem to be traveling with their family or some such.

 

I look for a sturdy lad to ask if he might prefer a more comfortable accommodation for the night.

 

I like your sense of humour. . .

 

but, my dear fellow, even in 1st Class

 

you've already admitted - it's strictly one per berth

 

 

In 2nd class it's extremely uncomfortable to have two in a bunk. Is it the same in 1st class?

 

2nd class is comfortable. It is a car with a center walkway. There are seats, one facing forward and one facing back that convert into a bed at night. There are upper and lower berths that run the length of the car, but there are curtains to pull accross you bed area, so you have some privacy. There is a Thai toilet near the front of the car. I traveled in December with just a fan, and it was great, as it was quite cool and we travelled at night. During this time of year I wouldn't trafvel w/o a/c.

I think 2nd class was comfortable too as long as you don't try two to a bunk.

 

I would say as comfortable as flying 1st class.

 

But it's more for the experience given how cheap it is to fly within Thailand on AirAsia.

Does the first class or second class accommodation have any electrical outlets?

I would say as comfortable as flying 1st class

 

Is that first class American domestic? Or first class international with lie flat beds, duvets and all the other trimmings?

Well the 2nd class bunk is a flat bed. OK, no duvets.

 

It might be interesting to configure some planes like a Thai second class sleeper.

 

Thai toilet for free. And a pound for a Western toilet.

Does the first class or second class accommodation have any electrical outlets?

 

I am not sure...I never really looked. However, I don't remember seeing any.

Here is some added info on train travel

 

This is a class 1 sleeper in daytime configuration.

 

 

 

 

 

And, still class 1 in the sleeping configuration. And they included a couple of blankets.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a class 2 sleeper seat in daytime configuration.

 

 

 

This is the hallway of a class 2 sleeper at night.

 

 

 

These are class 2 seats, without any sleeper.

 

 

 

 

And these are the seats in a Diesel Railcar, which is also class 2. This is very comfortable travel during the day.

 

 

 

And for those of you wishing time tables and fares for the various trips, this link will provide them:

http://www.railway.co.th/

 

I would like to thank seat61.com for the photos. They have a great website on Thailand train travel at http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

 

 

There are no outlets in the first class rooms. There are outlets at the car attendant’s station at one end of the first class sleeping cars.

 

When you leave the room to eat, or to search for nocturnal companionship ask your car attendant to lock your room. In my experience they do their job well, but it never hurts to slip him 100 bt at your first contact. He might take extra good care of you.

 

He might take extra good care of you

 

. . . and help find a nightime companion??