Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Sleeper Train through the JUNGLE!

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Күн бұрын

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@Paul_Lucas 10 ай бұрын

Join me in playing TrainStation2 today! Click pixelfederation.onelink.me/Aaa9/qbtxk28l to download and use code LUCAS for 10 free in-game gems! Thailand's Special Express 9 is one of Southeast Asia's most popular tourist trains, connecting the capital of Bangkok to Chiang Mai in the jungle-bound north. I took a ride on their deluxe first class sleeper car, including shower, food, and solo occupancy of the berth all the way to Chiang Mai and I really enjoyed the trip! Follow me on Twitter: @paul_winginit ¦ twitter.com/paul_winginit Follow me on Instagram: paul_winginit ¦ instagram.com/paul_winginit

@TC.C 10 ай бұрын

Your videos are always happy, positive and non-toxic, yet factual. No moaning , no getting people sacked, no fighting with others. Loved them!

@Paul_Lucas 10 ай бұрын

Thank you! I try to be as positive as I can 😃

@MirzaAhmed89 10 ай бұрын

He's the anti-Josh Cahill.

@Northstar2000 6 ай бұрын

There is moaning when he is balls deep in a thai girl

@MelanatedRepublican 2 ай бұрын

Yes just like real life ! Absolutely 0 problems or conflict ever !

@daytrading1012 10 ай бұрын

I love your videos Paul! You are right to the point, whereas some other travel bloggers focus on themselves or their spouses in the video, which makes those other channels hard to watch. I hope you never change the way you present these! Keep on the good work

@lanthanumkhloride8538 9 ай бұрын

I took the local or rapid open-air trains along the Northern Route instead of the air-conditioned Special Express. Stopped for two nights apiece at Lop Buri, Phitsanulok, Sila At (Uttaradit), and Nakhon Lampang. Total cost 182 baht, over 750 kilometers of country covered. Great service at every stop. Awesome scenery...pictures come out so much better in an open-air carriage. Traveling in the afternoon is sweltering, but it makes for leisurely checkout and check-in times.

@erikmarcus 4 ай бұрын

What a cool sounding idea. I might do that! Can you buy those tickets on day of departure? Do you know if they ever sell out?

@lanthanumkhloride8538 4 ай бұрын

@@erikmarcus In the weeks around New Year's Day, the trains get extremely crowded, standing room only. In March, they were half empty.

@anthonydowling3356 4 ай бұрын

What do you mean open air trains ? Do you mean the 2 nd class non a/c ? I have taken such a train both ways between CM and BKK .I paid around B250 in 2019

@just_jen 3 ай бұрын

I did something similar but headed south from Bangkok. It was nice to see less touristy areas and meant I didn't have to travel for more than a few hours at a time.

@paulmacready6757 10 ай бұрын

I did the same journey 23 years ago, it looked exactly the same as I remember. Me and a girl friend and two kiwi mates, we had adjoining rooms and could open the two together. Fantastic experience, a bottle of Thai rum and the views in the morning were incredible. It was easy to book then just turn up pay and get on. Love the video

@adamrice617 10 ай бұрын

I did this very same trip almost exactly 30 years ago when travelling around South East Asia. Loved leaving the utter chaos of Bangkok and arriving in the relative calm of Chiangmai Mai.

@ianpotter5840 10 ай бұрын

Super video Paul thank you and great to hear the old drums intro again, haven’t heard that since Paul’s Trip Report Days🙂

@Paul_Lucas 10 ай бұрын

Glad someone noticed them 🤩

@killickr 10 ай бұрын

My wife and I have taken the First Class sleeper in the opposite from Chiang Mai to Bangkok several times, terminating in Hua Lamphong. Very convenient and comfortable.

@Stuie2210 10 ай бұрын

Did this trip in 2nd class a number of years ago. One of those experiences that you never forget but doubt you could recreate.

@DeanDecoursey 9 ай бұрын

You can ship your luggage in the cargo section of the train. They will charge you for it but not much more than 200 baht for 2 pieces of luggage. To do this, you have to walk out the back of the terminal with the luggage, cross the street, walk over railroad tracks, and the area where they take your luggage is just to the left. It is the old Bang Sue railway station. To pick up in Chiang Mai, go out the east side train entrance, before you see the ticket counter, and look to the left. You will see a lot of boxes awaiting loading on the train.

@charleshedley4381 10 ай бұрын

I did this trip a couple of weeks ago (but 2nd class). It's a great journey. The station at Bang Sue in Bangkok is not nearly as convenient as Hua Lamphong, but a better experience once you get there. I wasn't even aware that the train had a dining car, but will check it out when I take the return journey tomorrow.

@schoolssection 3 ай бұрын

I see at breakfast one can't escape the "Thai/Lao/Issan/local "sausage" (read bad hot dog).

@christianshields4164 10 ай бұрын

You brought the old intro back, YES!

@supratimram 10 ай бұрын

Sleeping in a train comes so naturally. Watching your video is great experience in itself

@TheClunkingFist 10 ай бұрын

We did this journey a few times in 1999... in second class! We also did the journey by bus, but were scared sh*tless the whole time: we got the seats at the front, above the driver. He just expected oncoming traffic to yield to him when he crossed the centre line. Loved Thailand. Oh, the food.

@debramage739 10 ай бұрын

So much better from the train I travelled on 25 yrs ago. Thanks Paul😊

@andywillis2650 10 ай бұрын

Great video Paul, love the look of your 1st class compartment, and also your boarding station !

@michaelmacdonell4834 10 ай бұрын

In fairness, Paul, I quite fancy that dinner!!! Mind you I was at boarding school in the 70s, so I'd probably eat anything except swede.

@jamesnotfound 10 ай бұрын

Paul! Another great video, thanks again for sharing your travels and making us envious of your life! Kidding of course! 😂❤

@NoWay23548 10 ай бұрын

This is really a quality channel. Thanks Paul!

@nobbynomad2010 3 ай бұрын

I was intrigued when your video came up on my you tube. Going back around 16/17 years I used to use this train journey but in reverse. Like you I used to buy the complete room but back then it was an older colonial style carriage with an outdoor step down at the front and rear. During the early part of the journey you could sit on these steps while riding through the jungle. There was always a lady present with an ice bucket full of cold drinks. There was a certain charm in travelling retro style. As nice as the Chinese sleeper train is I think I prefer my memories….

@johnclauder615 10 ай бұрын

So glad to see your experience on this train. This is a trip in my wish list. Great. Tks

@Paul_Lucas 10 ай бұрын

You should definitely take it - if you can get the tickets!

@sjb1058 10 ай бұрын

Fascinating video, Paul. I trust there's a video of your stay in Chiang Mai forthcoming! Cheers!

@paulsz6194 10 ай бұрын

Great video Paul, i recently went about half way to Chang Mai to a city called Kampaeng Phet and went and visited Khlong Lan National Park. I took a bus to Bangkok on the way back ehixh was a little unnerving as the bus rocked about like it was a boat on choppy water. The bus from Bangkok to Phuket was more modern, a complimentary snack, and with ice cold A/C blowing, so if you boarded in a T shirt & shorts, you would be grateful for the complimentary blankets they provide . There were also buses leaving to Chang Mai from Kampaeng Phet, but was told that the winding roads can also be a little unnerving on those buses.

@stewartrivers4208 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul. Travelled first class from the old station in 2016 having previously travelled 2nd class. Well worth the extra cost. Unfortunately almost impossible to book 1st class these days. Wish they would increase the number of carriages. Now retired and love following your adventures.

@xcel5203 10 ай бұрын

Nice ,clean , lovely train ; makes the journey inviting and interesting . It's looks more like a fancy airport than a railway station. Would love to have tasty meals in those pantry cars . I'd travelled more than thirty years earlier in the most basic train out of Hua Lamphong sitting on wooden benches when the vendors used to hawk their food stuff including fish ,up and down the aisles . That then was really an atmospheric trip !

@cedracine 2 ай бұрын

I Loved the 2nd class upper berth sleeper train from BKK to CM long time ago when you could just go at the end of the car, open the door and smoke your cigarettes sitting on the stairs while riding between rice fields and jungle... and in my memory the ticket was 350THB, just over $10!!! ... usually arriving ~1h late ;-)

@Eunos 10 ай бұрын

Now there's a blast from the past.. The old Bongo Drums that use to be at the start of all your vids. ;D

@lakukarikscha1417 25 күн бұрын

Last year i took the most rustic, rundown train from Hat Yai to Malaysia. It went about 20 km max speed and the windows could be opened. I loved it.

@pattokchannel 10 ай бұрын

Your train videos are so much more entertaining than the plane videos, keep new train videos coming….!

@erikmarcus 4 ай бұрын

I have watched other Thailand train videos, but this was the best of the bunch.

@liro_mngbt 6 ай бұрын

How pleasant. Thanks for bringing us along for the ride!

@yehoshuazohar6698 8 ай бұрын

Nicely done. I love train travel but have never taken a sleeper train, mostly because I am about 1.90 ( a bit over 6"2) and always figured the bed would be too short.

@VishnuRajendranAmboo 9 ай бұрын

The cafeteria coach is always my favorite spot on the train.. just the best place to chill out

@himbourbanist 9 ай бұрын

that station is IMMENSE!!! pretty awesome. I really want to get out to Thailand really bad someday

@thomaswwwiegand 6 ай бұрын

Ja, habe ich gerne genutzt zu Radrennen. Morgens sogar geduscht aussteigen. Das Startfoto ist die Brücke hinter Lampuhn nach Goldplatz zum Aufstieg zum Kuhntan Tunnel. Bin schon LANGE nicht mehr damit gefahren oder anderweitig von Chiang Mai weg. Aber meiner Tochter will ich diese entspannte Reise (upps ohne Internet eine 14 jährige ...) nahe bringen. Das schöne an der Route ist, das die Bahnstrecke meist wirklich abseits der Autobahnen oder Haupttrassen verläuft = viel Landschaft. Es soll aber lange nicht mehr so rattern und schaukeln wie bis so 2015 ...

@Buggsy61 10 ай бұрын

Great video.Brings back memories of my ride on the same route as a backpacker in feb91 but 2nd class. The trains have improved but the food looks pretty much the same. I miss Thailand.

@philbriggs5807 10 ай бұрын

Great video, Paul. That train trip is on my list despite visiting Chiang Mai a couple of times now. I've done Surat Thani to Bangkok Hualomphong in 1st class sleeper a few years ago, and Bang Sue KTA to Nong Khai in 2nd class sleeper last month - both enjoyable experiences although in much older carriages. I hope you enjoyed Chiang Mai. Cheers from Australia - Phil.

@louisefreeman5286 10 ай бұрын

Really love using the old intro music ❤

@paulpjy4996 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul always enjoy your videos around the world.

@rodneyboulton6410 10 ай бұрын

I do enjoy your videos. You were the first travel vlogger i subscribed to on here and it inspired me to follow others similar to your channel.

@stephenthomas84 10 ай бұрын

Great video...i did this trip back in 2008 while backpacking after uni...good times

@MrGreatplum 10 ай бұрын

That looked like great fun, Paul - you are making me want to take a trip to Thailand now!

@cal1103 10 ай бұрын

Been on the over night sleepers a few times to Chiang Mai, Udon Thani always 2nd class aircon tho. Your right First Class books out very early and is difficult to get. 2nd class aircon is great as well :)

@rezaalan3991 10 ай бұрын

Great trip. Finally Southeast Asian Train, starting from Thailand. First thing came in my mind about Chiang Mai is Sea Games, because at 1995 it becoming First Non Capital City in ASEAN Countries to host this event. Overall great train, great cabin, and yeah the dinner may be dissapointing you, but at least the breakfast is great. And yeah the legendary mashed up of summary video at intro is back.

@johnhawks5035 10 ай бұрын

One of your best Paul, Thanks. More Thailand would be great.

@PokhrajRoy. 10 ай бұрын

1:02 Wow what a station!

@SuperalbsTravels 10 ай бұрын

Wow such a great video, you are so precious and valuable and based.

@Paul_Lucas 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Albie 😀 hahah

@IScreamer 10 ай бұрын

Ha! Where have I heard those drums before? I've always flown into Chiang Mai from either Singapore or Bangkok but will definitely consider doing this journey either to or from Chiang Mai in the future. My local rail journeys in Thailand, although always memorable, have been quite uncomfortable and hot. I hadn't realised this level of comfort was available on this long-distance route. Thanks for all the info and enjoy your stay in Chiang Mai. It is, indeed a huge contrast to Bangkok and such a great town in which to relax and chill out.

@cherylsemrau7100 10 ай бұрын

Good to see you again. I would love to go on this train.

@hassanalihusseini1717 6 ай бұрын

When I use night trains in Thailand I prefer second class over first class when travelling alone. It offers more privacy. And the food in the dining car is not too bad, but as I am old enough to remember the dining car in the old days when food was freshly prepared...and waves of chili came out of the kitchen making you sneeze... and eating your food by an open window... of course it is diffrent now.

@terrymckenzie8786 21 күн бұрын

Caught the train from Da Nang to Ho Chi Mien . It was old but a nice ride going past all the farm land. The food was horrible though. Basically cheap instant noodles, and there were many species of cockroaches and other critters in the food area. The sleepers were fine.

@akcortin 10 ай бұрын

As an Indian, the idea of a relatively empty railway station is, well, bizarre. I wish you tried one of our fancy trains Paul.

@derekbrown7892 6 ай бұрын

I have been many times on the Chieng Mai sleeper it’s fantastic on new train, as is the new train from Bangkok to Ubon,or Nongkhai ,

@brucewatt1032 10 ай бұрын

At 2:37 it looks like you saw everyone standing for the National Anthem . How many countries would you see that, where everyone would stand for the King without question?

@JeffWittyArt 3 ай бұрын

not quite the national Anthem. It’s the royal family anthem - standing to it is for honoring their ruler, the king and his family.

@jamesrobinson9194 10 ай бұрын

Paul's back!

@CASEMSTR 4 ай бұрын

Ive now taken the 3rd class fan train 3 times. And its such a vibe hahaha. Seeing this fancy first class is CRAZYYY

@robertcotton9091 10 ай бұрын

Very enjoyable to watch, many thanks for sharing :)

@aphroditestrongoak 10 ай бұрын

This trip is so cool!! :) Thanks Paul :)

@ryanfrisby7389 10 ай бұрын

Fantastic trip report Paul!!

@bradfordtownley9363 10 ай бұрын

That could not be more shiny new. Impressive.

@IAMDANREEVE 10 ай бұрын

Ever thought about doing the Qinghai-Tibet rail trip? I did it, and it was an adventure

@deandecoursey2334 10 ай бұрын

I’ve been in the new Bangkok train station and I think everyone’s first comment is that it feels like an airport. I’ve heard that the food served there is pretty good. If you have excess luggage, you can “check” it in, but not the same way that you would at an airport. You can pay 150=200 baht to put 1-2 pieces of luggage in the cargo section of the train. At the Bangkok station, you need to go out the back doors, cross the street and carry luggage over 2 railroad tracks. Look to the left then and you will see an area with cargo ready to be loaded and several booths to pay and get a receipt, which you will show when you get to Chiangmai. I’m taking it in May and May use that method. But, I’ll be taking the older train, 2nd class sleeper. They have luggage racks next to the seats and I may just take my 2 pieces of luggage there and use bungee cords to secure them to the racks. I haven’t taken the overnight train in 7-8 years and am looking forward to it.

@nigel8499 10 ай бұрын

Made up for you that the channel is doing so well.

@michaelj3282 10 ай бұрын

You do look absolutely knackered! Great vid though, and so cheap compared to the posh trains.

@dazmartindale1002 10 ай бұрын

Just what I was looking for on you tube Another Bangkok to Chang Mai rail trip How many of these does there need to be?

@Calebs_Aviation 10 ай бұрын

Superb video mate! Even though I’d still probably rather fly, like everywhere, it still looked like an amazing trip & I would definitely live to try a train trip and do a trip report vlog type video about it! Cheers mate! Caleb 🇺🇸 😊

@Alex_Gordon 10 ай бұрын

love the moody music in the twilight jungle..

@torgeirbrandsnes1916 10 ай бұрын

Great vlog as always!

@scottyerkes1867 10 ай бұрын

Interesting review of a ftrst class over night journey. 👌💚

@johnlastactor 10 ай бұрын

VERY different to the 1st Class Cabin I had in 2011 from Hua Lamphong to Surat Thani. The leaking toilet into our room was probably the peak....

@samtrak1204 10 ай бұрын

Now I know there are such nice clean trains and stations in Thailand. Thanks for sharing. I only wish India Railways sold cabins for solo occupancy. This would be the perfect sleeper train for my upcoming solo trip to India.

@xcel5203 10 ай бұрын

A solo cabin will in no way improve your journey - the crowds and cacophony will drive you crazy if the compartment itself is not disappointing to say the least .

@devgupta8815 2 ай бұрын

The ride from BKK to Chiang Mai is quite scenic, especially the hrs thru the Khun Tan mountains, worth spending the whole day. Take a day trip instead.

@TheRareVideosXL 10 ай бұрын

Awesome content as always.

@erikcharlat9844 10 ай бұрын

awesome content my dude. safe travels.

@anomalily 10 ай бұрын

Umm, thank you for posting this! I'm headed to SE asia in March 2025, and I'm planning to try to go to Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand by train/bus and excited for this one!

@acidtrep9546 8 ай бұрын

how was it? i’m going next month

@anomalily 8 ай бұрын

@@acidtrep9546 This is next March - I haven't gone yet. Tell me how yours goes!

@acidtrep9546 8 ай бұрын

@@anomalily oops i read the date wrong!!

@HandsONreviews4u 18 күн бұрын

Is your name TREK TRENDY? You did a fine job mate. I may check out this train ride with my darling wife. Good show

@RobertoSiffredi-xy1nc 6 ай бұрын

The key is to ride the first-class cabin. Thanks for the video.

@patriciafuchs5970 10 ай бұрын

Looks like a nice trip. I envy you!

@AndreiTupolev 10 ай бұрын

That's very spacious for metre gauge. It must have a generous loading gauge.

@Bad_Karma1968 10 ай бұрын

Paul great vlog !

@sompoat2504 9 ай бұрын

I'm Thai and travel a lot by train including this one. Everything seems OK but the foods. I've to buy some stuffs to eat before I left Bangkok.

@LotusLady9 10 ай бұрын

Thank you Paul!

@GrassySlayyy 4 ай бұрын

My school in the 8th grade we get to go on this train I think! For the trip

@mrp_98 10 ай бұрын

AHH the old intro music is it 2018 😊

@Paul_Lucas 10 ай бұрын

It's back!!

@justsayin...2784 6 ай бұрын

Seems like a dumb question, but... Is the same trip available in the OTHER direction? That is, boarding at Chiang Mai enroute to Bangkok, with connections to the airport?

@nikkster01 5 ай бұрын

anyone else out there ( of a certain age) who misses the old rattlers from Thailand and Malaysia when travel was hard work and it is was go local or dont go at all. Nobody spoke ANY english K/San road was yet to be found, only seriously determined oddies made it to Ko Samui to sleep on the beach and we couldnt even go to Cam or V/Nam

@christinehodge3608 10 ай бұрын

Good video enjoyed this thank you 😊

@jonhobson3592 4 ай бұрын

I shall put this on my list. Are tickets easily available? I guess have to book in advance 😅

@Travel-by-Train 10 ай бұрын

Looks very intereting night train 🍒🍒🍒

@simong7539 10 ай бұрын

Little bit of misuse of the term 'express' there, just like Transpennine. We looked at it last time we were there but in the end the 1 hour flight won. Fun Fact: Don Mueang is the only airport on earth with a golf course between the two runways.

@plantcalledpickle 9 ай бұрын

Me and my mates want to do this but it's impossible to book. The state railways site, Baolau, 12goasia.. absolutely no first class seats are open to book.