My Last Long Distance Train Trip to Bangkok Hua Lamphong by Special Express 32 Thaksinarath

I’ve been telling myself that it would be my last time arriving at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station since last year, but I finally went on my final journey by long distance train in to Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station on the second last day of long distance services to the classic terminal station. It was a bittersweet feeling to be boarding Special Express 32 Thaksinarath from Hat Yai Junction, knowing most definitely that this is my last trip in to in to Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station by long distance train.

This is a picture-intensive blog post. Please be aware if you are using mobile data.

Hat Yai Junction Railway Station

I got to Hat Yai Junction Railway Station at about 4.45pm, around 1 hour before the departure of Special Express 32 Thaksinarath, to get some trainspotting time and to settle down in my pre-berth seat with station snacks and drinks.

Heading in to Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Just before approaching the platform, I was approached by a security guard pointing to my camera hanging on my shoulder saying “no no no” while gesturing photo-taking and “safety”. However, while no camera photos are allowed, phone pictures are okay.

Due to this situation, I went up to the overhead bridge for shunting photos instead.

GEK 4022 shunting the rake of Special Express 32 Thaksinarath to Platform 1.

I got back to the platform without anyone stopping me with my camera this time.

Heading to my booked Car 12.

The second-last time seeing Bangkok on the destination sign of the Thaksinarath.

Boarding the Thaksinarath operating with CRRC coaches.

SRT CRRC ANS40CN (Air-Conditioned Second Class Day & Night Coach)

The interior of the SRT CRRC ANS40CN 2nd Class Sleeper coach.

My booked seat 18 for this trip, positioned in reverse on the northbound leg. However, the bed would be facing the correct way when made.

In the daytime configuration, the lower berth forms 2 facing seats, each seat for the respective lower berth and upper berth passenger.

The reading light, charging socket, and storage basket is positioned at the seat for Berth 17, but it will be mine facing the right direction once the seats are converted into berths.

A bottle holder and fold-up table is between the 2 seats.

There is a male urinal toilet in each coach.

There are also 2 unisex sitting toilets in each coach.

A wash basin area is available at the end of the gangway by the toilets.

SRT CRRC ARCCN (Air-Conditioned Restaurant Car)

The Restaurant Car is back on the Thaksinarath serving dinner and breakfast on this overnight journey.

Tables of 4 are available with condiments and hand sanitisers provided.

The ordering counter on the Restaurant Car.

CRRC Qishuyan CDA5B1 locomotive QSY 5207 leads my Special Express 32 Thaksinarath from Hat Yai Junction, my last journey with a direct long distance train in to Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

An almost-full tank of fuel is loaded for this journey.

The builder plate of CRRC Qishuyan Co., Ltd.

The station sign of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Before departure, I headed to a platform stall to get a drink and Hat Yai fried chicken.

A variety of drinks and snacks are available including sandwiches, salabao, instant noodles, and of course Hat Yai fried chicken and sticky rice.

The Hat Yai fried chicken here was being freshly fried, probably in preparation for flash sales to the Thaksin Express coming in after my Special Express 32 Thaksinarath departure.

The doors to the closed at 5.45pm sharp, and the train departed right on time.

My ticket for the Special Express 32 Thaksinarath from Hat Yai Junction to Bangkok Hua Lamphong.

The conductor comes around to check for tickets immediately upon departure.

Departing from Hat Yai Junction at 5.45pm.

My checked ticket for the Special Express 32 Thaksinarath from Hat Yai Junction to Bangkok Hua Lamphong.

Heading out of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

A bottle of water was handed out by the coach attendant after tickets were checked.

Beds were made up also rather early when the sun was still out. The attendant converted the berths based on the manifest he had.

It was my turn to have my bed made in a few minutes, so here’s how it’s done swiftly and professionally.

The attendant uses a key to unlock the seats to draw them together to form the lower berth.

Folding down the upper berth.

Bedding for both berths are kept in the upper berth.

Laying the sheets on my mattress.

2 attendants converted the berths simultaneously in my coach.

Placing my pillow on the right side as the final touch to my berth.

My made lower berth for a good night’s sleep later.

Dinner

Towards sunset, I headed over to the Restaurant Car to have dinner.

The lunch and dinner menu on board the Restaurant Car. Orders are taken at the table with waiter service.

This menu offered differs greatly from my initial-spotted one on the very first day of operations of the Restaurant Car on 6 December 2022. I now wonder if the initial menu was just a gimmick on the first day of operations.

I ordered a Set E with Chicken Panang Curry for 190 Baht (~S$7.57). This set comes with steamed rice, spring rolls, a side soup, slices of pineapples, and a bottle of water.

Unfortunately, the Chicken Panang Curry colour differs greatly from the advertised picture in the menu, and the portion also looked smaller with more rice in its place. The taste was alright, but I felt that there wasn’t enough curry for the amount of rice provided.

190 Baht is 9.5 times the price of a cheap platform rice box at 20 Baht from Hua Hin, so I’m not sure if this pricing strategy is sustainable. I’m eating this set because I’m a railway fan wanting train food, but to a regular passenger? I’m not sure.

An at-seat service is also provided by the Restaurant Car with waiters taking orders when going through the cars.

Following dinner, it was time to rest in my berth for the night.

Hua Hin Railway Station

I woke up the next morning at Hua Hin Railway Station.

Platform vendors sell cheap breakfast at 20 Baht.

However, as I wanted to try the Restaurant Car food, I gave it a miss.

Departing from Hua Hin at 7.18am – 83 minutes delayed.

Breakfast

I ordered a Set 2 of “Eggs” for breakfast which consisted of eggs, ham, sausages (hidden below the toast), toast, coleslaw, pineapples, orange juice, and coffee or tea. This costs 180 Baht (~S$7.17), or 9 times the cost of platform food from Hua Hin.

The Breakfast Set 2 was as advertised on the menu picture, with additional seasoning sauce and pepper provided on the table.

Not surprisingly, the Restaurant Car was not full in the morning, with passengers opting for their own food or station hawkers instead.

For passengers in wheelchairs, there is a separate dining area behind the tables without the need for transferring out of the wheelchair.

Ratchaburi Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Ratchaburi, 59 minutes delayed. This was where passengers stood by to clamour out of the train doors to purchase Kway Teow. Hawkers don’t seem to be allowed to walk around on board trains using CRRC coaches, but door sales are fine.

After departure from Ratchaburi, the attendant came round to clear my sheets and convert my berth back into a seat.

Keeping the mattress and pillow back up on the upper berth.

Pushing my berth back to a seat.

Once in my seat, it’s time to enjoy Ratchaburi Kway Teow. This costs 10 Baht (~S$0.40) a box.

The Kway Teow is in a nice snacking portion with fish balls, fish cakes, and seasoning in it already. Mix it up before enjoying.

Nakhon Pathom Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Nakhon Pathom Railway Station, 49 minutes delayed.

Sala Ya Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Sala Ya Railway Station, 35 minutes delayed.

Passing by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct.

Passing by the Taling Chan Civil Court.

Crossing the railway crossing at Suan Phak Road.

My last time splitting off on to the unelectrified alignment at Taling Chan Junction with a long distance train.

Passing through the unelectrified tracks at Taling Chan Junction for the last time on a long distance train.

The line to Thonburi splits off at Taling Chan Junction.

Heading on the unelectrified tracks after Taling Chan Junction. With the opening of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, all long distance trains will use the Red Line tracks to access Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.