Advice about overnight train in Thailand

[IDrinkFromTheKegOfGlory]

We're off to Thailand in August with our two DC (8 and 10) and will be doing a couple of overnight train trips (Bangkok-Surat Thani and back).

Having travelled by train in Thailand before (albeit pre-kids) I'm quite happy to book 2nd class a/c sleeper tickets but DW (who is a little more risk averse!) is worried she won't sleep because she'll be worried about the kids' safety. She wants to book 1st class cabins so we can lock the doors. (A point I should probably mention here is that I'm a woman too and part of her concern is that we won't have a man with us which, in her eyes, might otherwise deter anyone dodgy).

I do get her point but (apart from the extra cost) I do think part of the magic of the trip will be lost if we hole ourselves up in a cabin. Does anyone have any experience of recent overnight train travel in Thailand and how safe you'd feel travelling 2nd class with children?

We did this section by train also, was very safe and comfortable. I think we were in 1 st class but can't really remember. I'd forgotten how noisy the Diesel engines are so would take ear plugs if doing again .

www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm

I haven't done that route but this guy has a ton of train info. Perhaps it might help you decide what's best?

Thanks, I've looked at his website and there's a tonne of great info on it. I was just wondering if people had their own personal experiences that would help us make up our mind.

I am an almost sixty year old female solo traveller (also a friend of Dorothy's ) and I can agree the Thai sleeper trains are very safe. There are guards and stewards looking after their sections and if there ever was a problem I'm sure any of the Thai people would assist. It is my experience they look after their tourists really well. I have traveled that same route as well as the Bangkok to Chiang Mai route. Also Hanoi to Da Nang in Vietnam sleeper train. Then just last month the sleeper from the top of Malaysia down to Jahor Baru for the Singapore crossing. I have never had a moments worry about safety. Would suggest you book your tickets as soon as they are released tho. Usually thirty days in advance. They sell very quickly and I'm sure you want to stay as a group. Second class is fine and feels more authentic to me. I would book the two top bunks opposite each other for DC'S and the two bottom ones for the adults as they are a bit wider. Feel free to message me for any more info and have a wonderful trip.

We did the Bangkok -Surat Thani trip years ago (in 2003). DH booked first class despite me being happy with 2nd. If I had kids I wouldn’t hesitate to go 1st, we had a great time and safety is important.

Thank you, Pondock! It's reassuring to hear your thoughts. And it sounds like you've had some fab holidays in the region 😊
I'm so excited that, now the kids are growing older, we have our chance to begin travelling again!

Bring Your Own food the train service food is awful.

Do not have a moments hesitation!! I was 10yrs in Thailand and my kids (20&15) were there last year to visit dad. They (girls) did the Surat train back and forth to Hualumphong (Bkk) and the HLP- Chiangmai Mai. I have done it over 50 times as a young single female. Not once have I ever felt remotely uncomfortable.
My advice is don't do A/C it's like a fucking deep freeze !! The 2nd class fan is fab and you can open the windows but have the grills to keep mossies out.

Disagree about the food too.. (in a way) train service food is shite but the folk who come on board at the various stops sell delicious grub.

Old Thai hand here.. speak the lingo and everyfing 🤓 PM me if you like .
Have a fab trip. I LOVE the Thai trains they are like a set from 'some like it hot !'

OMG yes! I had erased the truly awful breakfasts from my mind. Other meals were not too bad if I remember correctly. Then again, maybe the ice cold Changs helped!