DINING CARS ON TRAINS and other Train questions

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gasurat.78611
gasurat.78611

  1. Might be a silly question but ......... How does a person find out where the dining car is on a train?
    We will be on the #43 Special Express train leaving Bangkok at 8:05 am heading for Hua Hin. (2nd Class Air con)
    And a few days later, the #83 Express overnight sleeper from Hua Hin heading for Trang. (1st Class Air Con)

  2. Are the Sleeper compartments lockable from outside so we can safely leave our luggage unattended while we eat?
    I remember from years ago you can preorder and have a meal brought to your compartment but I like the idea of eating in the dining car.

  3. We are renting a room for the day in a guesthouse close to the train station in Hua Hin so we have a place to shower and rest while waiting for the sleeper train to Trang. I know the trains are often late so rather than turning up at the station on time (actually our habit is half hour earlier) and having possibly a long wait, is there any way to find out ETA like airline status reports?

  4. We booked our tickets on line through thairailwayticket.com. I thought it was the official Thai Railway site, but it appears to be an agency and though booked several days ago only charges for one of the journeys have shown up on our credit card instead of both so a little concerned about that, and the charges are showing to “Pravda Pramote”. Although I have printed out what looks to be official looking Thai State Rail tickets showing both journeys and all details seem correct. Also, when looking on the Thairailwayticket.com website under ticket history all the tickets are shown. Does this seem legit?

After repeatedly and unsuccessfully trying to book tickets on the Special Express #43 from Bangkok to Hua Hin
I took the advice given on this forum and tried each stop south until I was finally able to book Bangkok to Map Ammarit.

So thanks to all who have helped us 70 plus year olds on this bucket list trip. We so appreciate you sharing your experiences with us. Only ten more days until we will be winging our way to amazing Thailand!

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bigal1
bigal1

Restaurant car is easy to find

Don't know about locking first class but in 2nd you do not have a compartment but safe to leave bags but not valuables in 2nd . People usually come round both from the restaurant car and you can also buy excellent food at stations from locals

You can find out about train running on the state railway site but also if you ask at the station they will tell you when it is expected - easy to find someone who speaks English

The restaurant car is usually between the second and third class sections but I do not travel on the special expresses so not sure

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westwood
westwood

Just make a note if its between you and engine or after your carriage. Nothing in the way of ambience in the dining car. Its usually got boxes sitting around and a few cheap tables.
Its a lottery with train times. I wouldn't chance arriving after its due time if you don't want to miss the next train.

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Alex_design
Alex_design
In response to #0
  1. Might be a silly question but .........
    On the Special Express food is served "Airline-style" on a tray in front of you by the Trainhostess.
  2. Are the Sleeper compartments lockable ...
    Yes. Bring some Kleenex or so with you to stuff it into the AC-Exhaust. Might get rather cold.
  3. We are renting a room for the day ...
    As already mentioned, find someone capable of English. There might be, however, some billboard at the station showing the actual arrivals and departures.
  4. We booked our tickets on line through thairailwayticket.com...
    Sorry here
    Only ten more days until we will be winging our way to amazing Thailand!
    Have fun
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theworldaheadofus
theworldaheadofus
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In response to #0

  1. Might be a silly question but ......... How does a person find out where the dining car is on a train?
    We will be on the #43 Special Express train leaving Bangkok at 8:05 am heading for Hua Hin. (2nd Class Air con)
    And a few days later, the #83 Express overnight sleeper from Hua Hin heading for Trang. (1st Class Air Con)

  2. Are the Sleeper compartments lockable from outside so we can safely leave our luggage unattended while we eat?
    I remember from years ago you can preorder and have a meal brought to your compartment but I like the idea of eating in the dining car.

Normally the dining car is in the middle. Just walk until you find it.

On our last trip to Thailand we had a first class compartment but it was only lockable from the inside. Ordering was not available apparently so the attendant told us to eat in the dining car.

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gasurat.78611
gasurat.78611
In response to #3
  1. Might be a silly question but .........
  1. We booked our tickets on line through thairailwayticket.com...
    ** Sorry here
    **

Oh, oh, sounds ominous! Why do you say “sorry here” Alex_Design?

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gasurat.78611
gasurat.78611

Thanks for the replies everyone. So it sounds like I remember 15 years ago. Never knew what was going to happen until the day came, lol. I’ll just have to quit my micromanaging and see what unfolds.

One thing I am pretty sure of is that I will be making more fond memories like the ones I have relived the last fifteen years since our last visit.

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Alex_design
Alex_design
In response to #5

"Oh, oh, sounds ominous! Why do you say “sorry here” Alex_Design?"
Excuse me, I meant that I can't help you out on this...

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gasurat.78611
gasurat.78611

No problem

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Andyhammock
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