Trip to Thailand, Laos & Bali- Trains to Bangkok

After the Museum I was off to the new train station in Laos near the Friendship Bridge and the border with Thailand. This station just opened last March and there is a morning and afternoon train across the bridge. It is a handy way to get to the Bangkok train in Nong Khai...the first town over the bridge. You go through Lao immigration at this station and Thailand immigration at the next station.
The train has just four cars. In Nong Khai you have to transfer to the Bangkok train.
Inside the train.
I had to take a second class sleeper this trip as it was the only type I could reserve online. Actually it was quite comfortable with single seats across from one another on each side of the car. And there were racks to store your bags on the side which also served as ladders to the upper bunks. A porter came along and made up the beds and each bed had a curtain for privacy. Not bad at all.
Yikes. The only drawback was that there was only a squat toilet in this type coach. There are western toilets in the first class coaches.

The Train to Bangkok

I have definitely decided that the best way to get from Vientiane Laos to Bangkok is by overnight train. Luckily for me they have finally finished installing the track across the Bridge which runs across the Mekong and connects Thailand with Laos. The first train on the new loop into Laos was scheduled to begin the day after we left and the station in Nong Khai Thailand was all decorated and had hundreds of chairs set up for the festivities. One of the King's daughters was supposed to launch the event. We were just as happy to miss it. Here are the inner workings at the depot. Waiting to board.

In our comfy compartments. I had my own individual compartment (really a double for which I paid extra to have it alone) At an extra $15 I consider it a huge bargain. And after all the shopping we did in Laos we really didn't want to take a flight to Bangkok with all our overweight suitcases.

I usually don't eat on the train but found that the dinner was surprisingly good. The breakfast however was way too expensive and terrible. Never again.

In the morning as you near Bangkok there are great views of people who live in shanty houses along the tracks.

When you arrive at the station their are porters with huge carts who will wheel your luggage out to the taxi stand. Of course we didn't fit in the usual size taxi. Fortunately for us a "gypsy" cab driver had a red pickup truck and was eager to take us to our hotel for 400 bhat (around $12) A bit pricey but cheaper than two taxis and he was great.

After we checked in I headed out to Chinatown to do my Bangkok shopping.

My route passes Fort Phra Athit on the Chao Phraya River. It was built in the reign of King Rama I on the city's outer wall, which ran along the canal to the River. At first, 14 forts were built, but in time they became dilapidated. Eventually, all were demolished, with the exception of this and one other fort. Recently this area were the Fort stands has been open to the public as a public park. Its popular on weekend and as a backdrop to wedding photos.

The across the river boat.

Okay...okay. Its the last banana split photo. But the shop is just down the street from my hotel.

One of the many alleyways on our street.

The Train to Bangkok

As you could see in my Vientiane photos by this point I had a lot of luggage. I unloaded 10 pounds or so and sent a box home from the Nong Khai Post Office. They have a very efficient system. They will sell you a dandy box for less than a dollar and seal it up after you have packed it. That cost me about $30 by seamail...two months or more. So I decided to take the night train from Nong Khai to Bangkok. I had been wanting to take the train on this trip and this was my chance. This is the Nong Khai Train Station. Very neat, open and modern but it has two sets of steps...and no ramp for suitcases. I never saw a Thai national with more than a carryon so this might be understandable. My train was already in the station when I arrived as this was the departure point.
As to be expected my car was at the other end of the train...almost as far as one could go. By the time I dragged my three bags down here in the 90 plus high humidity I was soaked.

First Class sleeper cars are designed for two people with an attached washbasin. And a very comfy seat for two when the bunk beds aren't made up. The lower bed was the most comfortable and widest I have ever encountered on an overnight train.

The suitcase racks (much too small for my purposes) contained a surprise...a foam mattress for the lower bunk and the usual pillows.

The hallway leading to the toilets. I splurged and rented the whole compartment which cost me an additional $15 which I considered well worth it. The total fee for the compartment came to $56 which I considered to be a bargain. When I arrived in Bangkok there were men with big carts who would take your suitcases to the waiting taxis for about $1. Such a deal.
For my first night back in Bangkok I had booked a favorite hotel in Chinatown. It was one of my big splurges for the trip but extremely handy to the area where I buy buttons and jewelry and sometimes fabric. The hotel rooms begin on the 16th floor and all have a view. There is a pool on the 23rd floor and a revolving restaurant on the 24th which I ate in that evening. I arrived here just as the Stock Market was plunging back home.

My suitcase room was almost as big as the next room I had rented in Bangkok. The rate also includes a wonderful breakfast.


And orchids on your pillows.

And a wonderful view. Then reality set in and I returned to Banglampoo and my tiny little room.