Two Wheels and a Train Ticket I’ve spent years exploring Thailand by train, but one problem I often face is getting around once I arrive at a small railway station. For my latest trip along the Upper Southern Line through Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon, I decided to take a folding bicycle. Over the course of more than a week, I discovered just how much freedom it gave me, particularly at stations with no local transport. It wasn’t all plain sailing, and I’ve already learned a few things I’d do differently next time. I’ve written a review of my first extended experience combining train travel with cycling, including the practicalities of taking a folding bicycle on Thai trains, what worked and what didn’t. Read my full review on Thai Tracks: thaitracks.com/trainreviews/… Have you ever taken a bicycle on a train in Thailand? I’d be interested to hear about your experiences. #ThaiTrainGuide #ThaiTracks #ThailandByTrain #FoldingBike #CyclingThailand #TrainTravel #ExploreThailand

🚂 HOW LONG COULD YOU SIT ON A WOODEN TRAIN SEAT? One hour? Two hours? How about five hours, like my train journey this morning? Fortunately, unless the train is very crowded, you don’t have to stay seated the whole time. You can get up, walk around or even change seats. I started my journey on Ordinary No. 252 in a commuter-style carriage with inward-facing seats. Later, I moved to this carriage with traditional wooden seats. You might think I’ve made myself less comfortable, but I actually preferred it. I managed to get a forward-facing window seat, which is exactly what I look for when travelling in 3rd Class. The seat might be harder, but for me the experience is far better. I can watch the scenery, take photographs through the open window and enjoy the journey. What about you? Could you manage five hours on a wooden seat, or would you be looking for something more comfortable? #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #ThaiTrainGuide #ThirdClassTravel #SouthernLine #TrainTravel #SlowTravel #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #นั่งรถไฟเที่ยวไทย

🚂 EXPLORING PRAN BURI BY TRAIN: MY FINAL OVERNIGHT STOP Yesterday I made the final train move of my eight-day research trip along the upper Southern Line. I caught Ordinary No. 254 at Khan Kradai Station, about 1.8 km from my resort at Ao Noi Bay, and travelled roughly an hour north to Pran Buri. I wanted to get closer to Bangkok before heading home, but my main reason for stopping was to investigate local transport options. Pran Buri is often suggested as a gateway to Pran Buri Beach, Pak Nam Pran, Khao Kalok and Sam Roi Yot Beach. But how easy is it to reach these places without your own transport? 🚕 Where are the taxis? When I arrived at Pran Buri Station, I couldn’t see any taxis waiting. I later asked around and was told there are usually two drivers, although they don’t necessarily meet every train. I returned to watch the next arrival and again saw no obvious taxis, although one backpacker appeared to have arranged a pickup in advance. 📱 What about Grab? Grab does seem to operate in Pran Buri. I saw motorcycle riders delivering food, and when I checked the app for a car from the station to Pak Nam Pran Beach, it quoted 160 baht for a 17-minute journey. However, seeing a fare doesn’t guarantee that a driver will accept your booking. I’ve tried this before in smaller towns and had no drivers accept my request. So Grab is worth trying, but I wouldn’t rely on it without a backup plan. 🚆 Why do more trains stop at Wang Phong? Something else surprised me. Only six trains a day stop at Pran Buri, three in each direction. Yet Wang Phong Station, just 2.79 km further north, has 24 trains stopping there, including most of the sleeper services. I cycled over to investigate and found a station that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Someone suggested that the nearby army camp might explain the additional stops, although I’m not entirely convinced. I also spotted an old railway water tank, once used to supply steam locomotives. Perhaps Wang Phong was historically an important operational stop and the stopping pattern has continued. 🛺 A useful local transport contact At Wang Phong I found a lone electric tuk-tuk driver waiting for passengers. I asked whether he could take people to Pran Buri Beach or Sam Roi Yot Beach. He quoted around 300 baht for a transfer to the latter and said he also has a car for longer journeys or anyone wanting more comfort. 📞 081-300-6050 He recommended calling in advance rather than expecting him to be waiting at the station. This is exactly the kind of practical information I’ve been collecting throughout this trip. 🏨 Where I stayed I spent the night at Ban Pran Boutique Resort, which appears to be the closest place to Pran Buri Station. It was very quiet. In fact, I think I might have been the only guest. Breakfast wasn’t included. ☕ Coffee and trains I also went looking for Pran Buri’s old Saturday walking street, but it seems that no longer operates as it once did. There’s another night market area near the railway bridge over the Pran Buri River, which I was told opens daily. Nearby is Sa-Pan-Dum Cafe, a pleasant place to relax with a coffee or a meal while watching trains crossing the bridge. 🚂 Heading home I checked out this morning and I am now onboard early-morning Ordinary No. 252, heading back to Bangkok. Another five hours in 3rd Class! This trip has reinforced something I’ve suspected for a long time. There are some lovely places near Thailand’s smaller railway stations, but finding transport for those final few kilometres can be the biggest challenge. I’ll be bringing everything together on Thai Tracks to help other travellers plan similar journeys. 🔗 thaitracks.com/ Have you used Pran Buri or Wang Phong Station? How did you get to your destination? I’d particularly like to know why so many more trains stop at Wang Phong. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #ThailandByTrain #RailTourism #CyclingThailand #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #ปราณบุรี #วังก์พง

🚂 EXPLORING AO NOI BAY BY TRAIN After spending the night at Thung Mamao, I decided to move a little further south to Ao Noi Bay in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The nearest railway station is Khan Kradai, just 1.8 kilometres from the bay. An easy ride for me on my folding bicycle. 🏖️ Staying at Ao Noi Bay Resort I spent the night at Ao Noi Bay Resort, where rooms start from around 750 baht. Mine was spacious and clean, and I thought it was good value for the location. There’s a small convenience store next door, but no restaurants within easy walking distance. The nearest places to eat are about 1.5 kilometres away, which wasn’t a problem with my bicycle. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the fishing harbour directly in front of the resort. In the early evening, I sat watching the crews preparing their small boats before heading out for another night of fishing. It’s these little glimpses of everyday life that I enjoy most when exploring smaller coastal communities. ⛩️ Exploring Wat Ao Noi Right next door is Wat Ao Noi (วัดอ่าวน้อย), famous for its beautiful teakwood ordination hall and a cave containing two reclining Buddha images. I got up early the next morning to climb the steps to the cave, known as Tham Phra Non (ถ้ำพระนอน). The climb takes around 10–15 minutes and wasn’t nearly as strenuous as I expected. Along the way, there are some wonderful views looking down over Ao Noi Bay, the fishing harbour and the hills in the distance. Inside the cave are two large reclining Buddha images, making the climb worthwhile for more than just the scenery. 🚲 Back on the train This morning I cycled back to Khan Kradai Railway Station and caught Ordinary No. 255 north to Pran Buri, where I’m spending tonight at another resort near the station. Ao Noi turned out to be a worthwhile overnight stop. Affordable accommodation, a working fishing harbour, an interesting temple and some lovely coastal scenery, all within easy reach of the railway. And once again, having my folding bicycle made exploring so much easier. Have you visited Ao Noi Bay or climbed up to the reclining Buddha cave? 🔗 Train timetables and journey planning: thaitracks.com/ #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #AoNoi #KhanKradai #PrachuapKhiriKhan #WatAoNoi #SouthernLine #RailTourism #CyclingThailand #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #อ่าวน้อย #วัดอ่าวน้อย

🚊 Special Express No. 40 crossing the Pranburi River in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province on its way to Bangkok. This is a four-car diesel railcar built by Daewoo in South Korea in the 1990s. It’s a fast daytime service between Surat Thani and Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat), with air conditioning and comfortable reclining seats in 2nd Class. The full journey takes around nine hours, making it a useful option for anyone travelling north along the Southern Line who prefers to enjoy the scenery during daylight hours. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #Pranburi #PrachuapKhiriKhan #SouthernLine #Daewoo #RailTourism #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #นั่งรถไฟเที่ยวไทย

🚂 TRAINS PASSING ON THE DOUBLE-TRACK SOUTHERN LINE Video filmed from the back of the last carriage of Ordinary No. 255, just south of Kui Buri in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Towards the end of the clip, watch as Special Express No. 43 comes whizzing past in the opposite direction on its way to Surat Thani. In the old days, one of these trains would have had to wait at a station passing loop to allow the other to go through. Thanks to the new double-track railway, trains can now pass each other between stations without stopping. Well, in theory! There are still sections under construction, particularly around bridges, where trains have to share a single track. It’s good to see how the double-track project is gradually improving journeys along the Southern Line. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #SouthernLine #DoubleTrackRailway #KuiBuri #PrachuapKhiriKhan #RailTourism #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #ทางคู่

🚊 Special Express No. 43 this afternoon on its way south to Surat Thani. For anyone travelling from Bangkok to Hua Hin, this is one of the best daytime trains. The journey takes around three hours in air-conditioned comfort and costs 330 baht. Tickets can be bought up to 30 days in advance. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #Sprinter #HuaHin #SouthernLine #RailTourism #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #นั่งรถไฟเที่ยวไทย

Yesterday I took Ordinary No. 254 north from Bang Saphan Noi to Thung Mamao Station, just beyond Prachuap Khiri Khan city. This is an interesting stretch of the Southern Line because the railway runs very close to the sea. Thung Mamao Station is only about 450 metres from the coast as the crow flies, and a little further north the tracks come to within roughly 120 metres of the shoreline. 🏖️ I stayed at Rim Lay Resort (ริมเล รีสอร์ท - หาดทุ่งมะเม่า), which is more of a simple homestay than a traditional resort. Rooms range from around 1,000 to 2,000 baht, with a family room at 2,500 baht. The rooms are basic, but you are really paying for the location. Step outside and you are almost on the beach. I fell asleep to the sound of the waves and woke early for a long walk along the shore. Breakfast was included, starting with coffee and pa tong go, followed by khao tom. There are virtually no restaurants around here, so bring food with you. There is a small convenience store nearby which also has rooms for 1,000 baht. 🚆 From Bangkok, Ordinary No. 255 is probably the most useful train, arriving at 1:12pm. I arrived from the south on No. 254 at 11:16am. This is exactly the kind of place I wanted to find on this trip: a small station, a quiet beach nearby and somewhere affordable to stay. Would you enjoy somewhere this peaceful, or would you want more restaurants and coffee shops nearby? #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #ThungMamao #PrachuapKhiriKhan #SouthernLine #ThailandByTrain #BeachThailand #SlowTravel #รถไฟไทย #ทุ่งมะเม่า

🚂 Ordinary No. 254 heading north from Prachuap Khiri Khan on its way to Bangkok. This is one of the most scenic stretches of the Southern Line. Just north of Prachuap Khiri Khan, the railway runs remarkably close to the coast, passing within about 120 metres of the sea at its closest point. On a clear day you get great views across the Gulf of Thailand, framed by the distinctive limestone hills and coastal mountains around Prachuap Khiri Khan. It’s a lovely stretch to travel on one of Thailand’s slower Ordinary trains, especially if you can get a window seat on the seaward side. Would you like to travel this section of the Southern Line? #ThailandByTrain #ThaiTrainGuide #PrachuapKhiriKhan #SouthernLine #ThailandRailways #TrainTravelThailand #ExploreThailandByRail

🚆 What are people searching for on Thai Tracks? I’ve been looking through the latest search data from Thai Tracks dot com, and it gives an interesting picture of where people want to travel by train in Thailand. One important point: these figures show timetable searches, not ticket purchases or actual passenger numbers. They tell us which journeys people are researching and planning. After combining all Bangkok terminals into one, the most searched routes were: 🥇 Bangkok → Ayutthaya: 2,070 searches 🥈 Bangkok → Hua Hin: 1,105 🥉 Bangkok → Chiang Mai: 933 Other routes attracting strong interest include Bangkok → Vientiane, Surat Thani, Hat Yai, Nong Khai and Nam Tok. There are some interesting searches away from Bangkok too, such as Kanchanaburi → Hua Hin, Padang Besar → Hat Yai and journeys along the Upper Southern Line. This suggests that some travellers are starting to plan more ambitious multi-destination trips rather than simply going out from Bangkok and back again. 🔎 So what will I do with this information? I’ll use these search trends to decide where to improve Thai Tracks next. For the most popular routes I want to add more useful information about: • which Bangkok station you actually need • the best trains and journey options • sleeper and seating choices • booking advice • connections to places such as the islands, Khao Sok and Laos • practical last-mile transport after you arrive • ideas for continuing your journey by rail instead of returning to Bangkok The aim is to make Thai Tracks a one-stop route planner for train travel in Thailand, particularly for international visitors who often struggle to find clear railway information in English. 👉 Try the route planner at ThaiTracks.com And let me know in the comments: which train route in Thailand would you most like me to improve or add more practical information for next? Your searches and feedback help me decide what to work on. #ThaiTracks #ThailandByTrain #TrainTravelThailand #ThailandTrain #RailTravel #ExploreThailand #ThailandTravel #SlowTravel #RailTourism #ThaiTrainGuide

🚊 Video clip of Ordinary No. 255 train being hauled by a Hitachi locomotive near Thung Mamao in Prachuap Khiri Khan. This is a great train for exploring the upper Southern Line together with its partner No. 254. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #RailTourism #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #นั่งรถไฟเที่ยวไทย

🚊 Special Express No. 43 passing through Thung Mamao railway station. As I pan around, you can glimpse Prachuap Khiri Khan city in the distance. The beachside resort where I’m staying tonight is about 300 meters from the spot where I am shooting this video clip. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #RailTourism #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #นั่งรถไฟเที่ยวไทย

🚂 GOOD MORNING FROM ORDINARY NO. 254 Today I’m heading north for a few hours to check out Thung Mamao Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. This is one of those places where the Southern Line runs very close to the coast. Thung Mamao Station itself is only about 350 metres from the seafront, and a little further north of here the railway appears to come within roughly 100 metres of the beach. There are a few places to stay marked on Google Maps, but only one that I can book online, and that one is above my budget. So I’m going to have a look around when I arrive and see what I can find. If there are no rooms available, or the prices are too high, I’ll get back on my bicycle and continue south to check a few other places. Prachuap Khiri Khan city isn’t too far away, so that’s my backup plan if needed. This is very much how this trip has been working. Arrive by train, see what’s actually there, and make the next decision on the ground. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #ThungMamao #PrachuapKhiriKhan #SouthernLine #ThailandByTrain #RailTourism #Thailand #รถไฟไทย

🚇 BEM has announced a temporary closure of MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Station today, Friday 16 October 2026. The station will be closed from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm as part of security measures for the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings 2026. Other MRT stations will continue operating as normal. #Bangkok #MRT #BangkokMRT #MRTBlueLine #QueenSirikitNationalConventionCentre #QSNCC #BangkokTransport #ThailandTravel #ThailandByRail

🚂 EXPLORING BANG SAPHAN NOI BY TRAIN Yesterday I caught Ordinary No. 255 from Ban Krut to Bang Saphan Noi. The ticket cost just 7 baht. On an earlier stop at Bang Saphan Yai, I found motorcycle taxis waiting outside the station, but the beachfront there was a little too quiet for me. Bang Saphan Noi was different. At first I couldn’t see any motorcycle taxi drivers at the station, but as I cycled away I found one waiting at the nearby bus stop. He told me he usually meets every arriving train and quoted 80 baht to the resort where I was staying. For the return journey, you would need to take his phone number and arrange a pickup. 🏖️ Staying at Haat Son Resort I’m spending two nights at Pine Beach Resort, หาดสน รีสอร์ท, also known in English as Haat Son Resort. My sea-view bungalow costs 1,200 baht and I’m staying for two nights. Like some of the other beach resorts I’ve visited on this trip, it is fairly secluded, but this one has two big advantages. First, it is right next to a fishing village, which makes for an interesting walk. Second, this is one of the places where you can take a boat out to Koh Talu (เกาะทะลุ), a small island off Bang Saphan Noi known for its natural rock arch and shallow-water snorkelling. The Tourism Authority of Thailand also lists Koh Talu among the area’s main attractions. 🤿 Snorkelling at Koh Talu I originally booked a four-hour snorkelling trip through the resort for 450 baht, but unfortunately they came to my room in the morning to tell me it had been cancelled. Luckily, there are several other boat operators nearby. Suchart Diving is directly opposite the resort, so I walked over and booked with them instead. Their price was 500 baht, which included breakfast and lunch. That actually worked out quite well for me, as breakfast wasn’t included with my room. There were two boats going out. A larger boat was carrying the regular group at 500 baht per person, while a smaller boat had been privately chartered for about 5,500 baht. Then I had a bit of luck. A couple of people in the private group recognised me and invited me to join them, so that’s where I ended up. The weather wasn’t ideal, with light rain and some very dark clouds, but I always enjoy a good boat ride and the sea breeze. Our first stop was at the far end of Koh Talu to see the natural archway that gives the island its name. After that, we stopped at two locations for snorkelling. The water wasn’t as clear as it can be. The rain and rougher conditions appeared to have stirred up sediment, and the boat crew told us that March and April are generally better months, or at least after the rainy season has finished. Even so, it was still a very enjoyable half-day trip. Koh Talu is well known for shallow-water snorkelling, and there are several diving and snorkelling operators in this area. 🌴 Would I recommend staying here? Yes. The resort is right by the sea, with tables and chairs where you can sit, eat or just enjoy the view. There is a restaurant open throughout the day, plus another restaurant nearby that is a little cheaper. What I like about this place is that it manages to be quiet without feeling completely isolated. You’ve got the fishing village to explore, the beach, boat trips to Koh Talu and some pleasant walks. The resort also offers free pickup and drop-off at Bang Saphan Noi Railway Station during daylight hours, which makes this an especially easy place to visit by train. So this one gets a big thumbs up from me. Tomorrow I’ll continue north again as this upper Southern Line research trip gradually makes its way back towards Bangkok. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #BangSaphanNoi #KohTalu #PrachuapKhiriKhan #Snorkelling #SouthernLine #RailTourism #ThailandByTrain #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #บางสะพานน้อย #เกาะทะลุ

🚊🎒TRAVELLING LIGHT BY TRAIN People often ask me whether there is enough room for suitcases on trains in Thailand. In most cases there is, but my best advice is simply not to bring too much. For this eight-day trip, everything I need fits into a 17-litre backpack. I have one spare set of clothes in the bag, plus the clothes I’m wearing. I wash them every night and everything is quick-drying. In fact, what I’m wearing today is what I wore yesterday. Also in the bag are mini toiletries, charging cables for my phone and camera, a power bank, wet wipes, a foldable spork, a small hook for hanging bags on trains and, for reasons that make perfect sense to me, a tape measure. That’s about it. No book, because I never seem to have time to read on trains. There is always something to photograph, observe or write down. And no earbuds either. I actually prefer to remain approachable on the train. Some of the most interesting parts of a journey come from talking to people around me. The biggest advantage of travelling this light is what happens when I arrive. I don’t need to find luggage storage or go to my hotel. I can get off the train, put the backpack on and immediately start exploring. For the way I travel, that freedom is worth far more than having extra clothes and comforts with me. What about you? Do you travel light, or do you need to bring the kitchen sink? #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #TrainTravel #TravelLight #PackingLight #RailTravel #Thailand #รถไฟไทย