The Kingdom of Thailand has a very good inter-province connecting railway system providing a cheap and comfortable way for Thai's and visitors alike to travel. The railway system connects with the Singapore line which runs along peninsular Malaysia. Chiang Mai is the principle Northern city where the railway line finishes.

If you like meeting local people and seeing how they travel then "go by train".

Chiang Mai train station

River Kwai famous railway bridge

Train arriving at Chiang Mai station

At the station.

Thailand Train Classes

The state railway of Thailand operates three different train classes.

First Class contains one small private air conditioned compartment for two persons. Each cabin includes a sink and a stow away table. This class is available only on selected trains and tends to get booked out first. The compartment consists of two beds, one upper and one lower.

Second Class Fan or air-conditioned coaches are available in either seat or sleeper form with around 40 seats. Fan cooled sections tend to get a little hot at night and air-conditioning coaches are the more comfortable.

Third Class hard wooden bench seats suitable for only the more hardened traveller. Third class tickets are sold a few hours prior to departure. No pre-booking is possible in this class.

All classes of train have refreshment facilities and most have full catering cars with cooked meals at reasonable rates. At practically every station food vendors offer local delights from fried chicken to more exotic local delicacies.

Thaifocus train reservation system can make arrangements on 1st and 2nd class services only.