Thailand forum

Travel agents will typically add on a surcharge to handle the booking -- but it's normally 100-200B. Travel Connecxion have had good reports in the past.

Here is the email address to book your tickets and an example of what to write: This goes direct to the State Railway of Thailand www.railway.co.th

Email Address: passenger-ser@railway.co.th

Email :

Please can you reserve for me:

Journey: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Date: XXX
Train number: 13 (or whichever train)
Departure time: 19:35 (or whatever time)
Class of travel: 2nd class sleeper (aircon)
Preferences: One lower bunk and the upper bunk directly above it (YOU PUT ANY PREFERENCES LIKE THAT HERE)
Number of passengers & names: 2 passengers Miss XX XX & Mr XX XX
Regards
XXX


You can only book up to 30 days in advance and you pay on arrival.. must pick up the tickets prior to a certain time... We recieved a confirmation email as below:

Dear Sir/Madam
Reference to your e-mail on 9th October. I'd like to confirm your reservation 2 person 2nd class A/C sleeper 1 lower 1 upper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by the Special Express Train No.13 on 5th December,2006 leaving Bangkok at 07.35 pm. and arrived Chiang Mai at 09.20 am. on 6th December, 2006. The ticket price for 2 person is Baht 1,612.00

Please purchase your tickets including booking fee 200 baht at the total amount of 1,812.00 Baht by presenting this email confirmation and your passport to our Chief Clerk, Advance Booking Office,Bangkok Station(Hualamphong) during 08.30 am-4.00 pm everyday,as for on the date of your departure not later than 4.00 pm. on 5th December,2006; otherwise, this reservation will be cancelled automatically.
Please acknowledge us e-mail confirm.

Thank you for your interesting on our rail service.
Your Sincerely,
Passenger Traffic Section


*When you get to the station there is a massive sign in one corner saying "advance bookings"... very easy.. there is also a place you can store luggage for a few hours if needed, a great little massage place, a supermarket for train snacks and a couple of restaurants incl KFC!

Enjoy!

Reet xx

hello, all you seasoned travelers,

is it the same if you travel in august?
i'll be in BKK next week and would like to go to CM, but i still have to decide which day to leave and if using the train or the bus... i would love to get there and have a sense of the place before deciding how to travel etc... I don't have much time in my vacation and 1 day makes a difference, if I'd rather spend it in BKK or CM...
anybody has suggestions?

thanks!!

happy traveling!