Next Stop... Thailand: Bangkok - Chiang Mai!

'Next Stop...' had been neglected and this growing blog series deserved a fourth edition, Thailand did not disappoint me! The road to that overnight train journey was a little bumpy because the booking agent tried my patience but all was well in the end. Travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was a breeze, I was impressed with my first Thai rail journey! I was sad to leave Bangkok! 

The time had come for me to leave Bangkok after spending three or so days in the capital, as I left Silom behind me I knew that I hadn't seen the last of that Thai megacity! Heading from Si Lom Station to Bang Sue Station took some time but I didn't need to rush to that far out train station, I had slept well and given myself ample time. Bang Sue? I had already brushed shoulders with this interchange station on Bangkok's vast MRT system soon after I had arrived into Don Mueang International Airport because I needed to change from the 'Dark Red Line' to the 'Blue Line'. 'Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station' would be where my overnight train to Chiang Mai would be departing from. To get my ticket I had to book it through an online agent before I arrived in Thailand, that wasn't an issue but to collect it was a bit of a nightmare. Let me just express the agent I used did eventually update my hostel delivery address, in the end I received my ticket but Thailand needs to allow online bookings on 'Trip'. '12Go Asia', really bab? 

Drama aside, I found my gate with more than enough time. I had a little longer to wait but knew that being earlier would leave me in good stead, I wasn't about to miss that overnight train! I managed to find a kiosk, there I bought a lovely little lunch and a drink because Thailand really does it better! The train station was huge, it was definitely not a place to get lost in! For me, I was a little apprehensive because when I travel outside of China, I have actually got to think about my next move. The time came to board, the whole boarding process was quick if not a little confusing. I had read something about needing a different ticket? I wasn't the only person feeling confused but there was no need to fret because the barrier allowed me through. The platform was clean and free of chaos, I was able to find 'Coach 3' without any stress, that I was very thankful for! I felt at ease as my overnight train to Chiang Mai departed from that Bangkok station, I was excited for the journey and I was pumped to reach my second stop on my TH trip! 

Ayutthaya? A former Siamese capital that had caught my attention, that first station stop towards Chiang Mai was that one in-question. I had already been on the train for around 2 hours, so I really wouldn't fancy taking such a train journey for a single day trip. No, thanks! Another point of interest noted down for a future Thai trip, my overnight train continued the journey in a northern direction. I was getting hungry! It was a good job a had been taken for our evening meal and the next days breakfast. For that evening meal, I went for a curry option that was served with rice. The ordering was fine, the friendly train attendant handed me a menu and gave me some time to make my choices. For the next day, I ordered a continental breakfast with a coffee to combat any sleeplessness I might had faced during the night. The journey thus far was going well, I had no immediate complaints. My ticket had been inspected, all was well. That 'Thai Lion Air' flight I had booked from Bangkok to Chiang Mai had been a waste of money! Oh!

I didn't have to wait long for my evening meal to be served, I literally blinked and I had devoured the lot! I was pleasantly surprised with the reasonable portion size, I felt like I was ready for my bed. Night had fallen, there wasn't much to see out of the window, I wondered when their turndown service would commence? My immediate carriage was clean, the noise level from the young family that were next to me, well that wasn't something I could control. They did have two small children who were around four and five, the kids were excited and they were cute because they were speaking both French and Dutch as they were Belgian. I thought about my nieces and nephew to imagine how excited they would have been on such a train journey. I was at peace, it wouldn't be long before their bedtime, crucially we all wanted to sleep before our shared overnight train pulled into Chiang Mai. I do love it when I see a man who knows what he's doing! I'm talking about those beds being made, I was impressed! B, I had the Bangkok blues! 

I had been pre-assigned the upper bunk, I did have reservations about that allocation but I wasn't in a place to complain. I had sat down on the lower level until the male attendants started turning down the beds and flattened the lower seats into beds. The whole process was quick, I was able to put my smaller bags above moments after the attendant had put a fresh pillow case on my pillow and a clean sheet onto the bed. It was time for me to brush my teeth and put some pyjamas on, the toilets were very small so getting changed was a little bit of a challenge. I was on a train, after all! I had no complaints, I climbed up onto the upper bunk and closed the curtain. I relaxed into my single bunk with a lower light setting adjusted, it was time to sleep. I was able to get some mobile data as the train made its way further towards Chiang Mai, some scrolling I did do! The kids below had been told by their parents that it was bedtime, credit to them, they were quiet for the whole night! I, myself did drift off eventually, to have a decent nights sleep. Score! 

Before I knew it, morning had arrived and it was already time for breakfast! I enjoyed my simple continental breakfast with an instant coffee. Breakfast was served about an hour before the train arrived into Chiang Mai. I had no issues, I had slept and had two reasonable meals for an equally good price. It was so exciting once the scenery changed, Bangkok did feel a million miles away but I knew that we'd be reunited soon enough. My train pulled into Chiang Mai Station on-time, I was able to find a Tuk Tuk driver within an instance because those taxi drivers were trying to hassle me! The train station wasn't far from my hostel, something that the maps had lied to me about. Getting to experience the city a lot sooner, taking the train had been worth it, albeit the ticket delivery. Where in the world will 'Next Stop...' cover next? That I don't know right now but what I can say, Thailand came through with a stellar overnight train journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai was about to be sick of me, that first day was a lot! Thailand, I love you! 

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Desperately Seeking Adventure