Train Review: SRT Rapid 170 from Hat Yai Junction to Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal by Train (Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32))

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SRT Rapid 170 Train from Hat Yai Junction to Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32))

Rapid 170 is one of two daily trains from Hat Yai Junction to Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, offering lower but cheaper classes of services, and more stops along the way. The tricky part of my Singapore to Bangkok for under S$50 challenge was in Thailand, as fares were higher due to the distance covered from Hat Yai to Bangkok. However, I remembered that the Rapid trains would have cheaper accommodation. After searching the fares, I need not even need to travel in the lowest Third Class, but I can get myself a bed for the night on board the non-air-conditioned Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32) while still within the budget.

Singapore to Bangkok for under S$50!

Hat Yai Junction Railway Station

The façade of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Heading in to Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

The main station hall of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

My Rapid 170 was currently running 9 minutes delayed from Yala.

As Rapid 170 would be a passing-through service with no crossings or higher types of trains scheduled, it would be using Platform 1.

There are stalls along Platform 1 selling last-minute necessities for a train journey.

Food and drinks are also available to purchase from the stalls along Platform 1. These are the same hawkers who would be selling them on and around the train when it stops.

While on a short transit in Hat Yai, I could still get Hat Yai Fried Chicken from the platform stall. Being at the stall itself, I could also choose my own freshly fried pieces immediately for purchase which were otherwise being prepared to be sold on Rapid 170.

Alsthom ALS 4143 will be leading my Rapid 170. No locomotive change was made at Hat Yai Junction despite just arriving from Yala.

Heading to my booked Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32). Only 1 BNS32 coach is attached on the Rapid 170.

The destination and car sign on the side of my booked Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32).

The interior of the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32).

My seat at Berth 12. For this day time configuration, my seat was in the reverse direction when heading to Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

Seats 11 and 12 share a bay, formed by the lower berth. 11 would be the upper berth.

The upper berth is folded up in the day time configuration.

For bag storage, overhead and floor luggage racks are available. The floor luggage racks are particularly useful as I will learn in a few minutes.

Aside from windows for ventilation, rotating fans are also available at each berth section.

My ticket for my Rapid 170 train from Hat Yai Junction to Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal on board the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32).

It started to rain heavily as I departed from Hat Yai, so I pulled up the glass pane for a view and pulled down the louvred panel for ventilation.

My Rapid 170 departed from Hat Yai Junction at 2.43pm – 12 minutes delayed.

I left a gap in the middle for additional ventilation and to keep my berth cool.

Leaving Hat Yai with water droplets on my window pane.

I decided to be confident and opened a bigger gap for better ventilation, which I would regret shortly.

The BNS32 has just 32 seats on board, so even if it was full, it did not feel crowded.

As the train sped up, so did the speed of water spraying onto my face. I quickly pulled up the glass pane once the train gained speed.

The aftermath of my genius ventilation idea. Thankfully, this was a train, and toilets are available on board, so I wiped up my seat with some tissue in the meantime.

In a way, this was a blessing in disguise as it was a very cooling ride throughout the journey with no need for air-conditioning for a comfortable cooling temperature.

A large sink area with 3 sinks are available outside the toilet.

Only squat toilets are available on board the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32). However, if you wish to use a sitting toilet, you can walk to the refurbished Bogie Third Class Carriages or the Air-Conditioned Second Class Day & Night Coaches.

A pleasant addition to the bigger toilet, a standing shower is also provided on board the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32) with a towel bar and many bars of soaps on the sink.

Khuan Niang Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Khuan Niang Railway Station. The Rapid 170 serves 48 stations between Yala and Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, making it the lowest class of long-distance trains, but giving direct access to major cities from the smaller towns served.

The Rapid 170 stops at Yala, Na Pradu, Pattani, Thepha, Chana, Hat Yai Junction, Khuan Niang, Hanthao, Bang Kaeo, Khao Chaison, Phatthalung, Pak Khlong, Laem Tanot, Ban Khon Hat, Cha-uat, Khao Chum Thong Junction, Thung Song Junction, Na Bon, Khlong Chan Di, Chawang, Thanpho, Surat Thani, Chaiya, Lamae, Lang Suan, Chumphon, Na Cha-ang, Pathiu, Map Ammarit, Bang Saphan Yai, Ban Krut, Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kui Buri, Nong Khang, Pran Buri, Wang Phong, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Pak Tho, Rachaburi, Photharam, Ban Pong, Nakhon Pathom, Sala Ya, Bang Bamru, and Krung Thep Aphiwat.

While no restaurant car is attached on board the Rapid 170, hawkers are available on board certain stretches of the journey to sell food and drinks.

Tickets are checked after departing from Khuan Niang.

After my ticket was checked, I walked around the train to see what other classes of accommodation are available.

Air-Conditioned Second Class Day & Night Coach

There are 2 Tokyu Air-Conditioned Second Class Day & Night Coaches attached on board the Rapid 170. These have a similar seating and berthing layout to my BNS32, but with 40 berths, and air-conditioning of course. This is the best class of travel on board the Rapid 170.

Bogie Second Class Carriage

There is 1 Bogie Second Class Carriage attached on the Rapid 170. Seats are laid out in a 2+2 configuration with recline and a tray table.

Seats can be rotated to the direction of travel.

Bogie Third Class Carriage

The rest of the train is made up of Bogie Third Class Carriages, the most number of seats provided based on class on the Rapid 170. This is probably not ideal for a full overnight journey, but it is the cheapest option. I could have easily lowered my travel budget by using Third Class, but I decided that I do need some lie-flat comfort on this long, overnight journey.

Bang Kaeo Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bang Kaeo Railway Station.

The rain cleared up after Bang Kaeo to cooling weather towards the sunset, though clouds are still looming above. This made the temperature inside the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach quite comfortable nonetheless.

Khao Chaison Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Khao Chaison Railway Station.

Phatthalung Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Phatthalung Railway Station.

I finally realised the convenience of the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach as my window was also my cashier as I have direct access to the platform hawkers.

I bought a Basil Minced Pork with Rice and Egg from the platform hawker for 40 Baht for my dinner.

Departing from Phatthalung Railway Station.

Pak Khlong Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Pak Khlong Railway Station.

There was also a Muslim hawker on board at this point with rice dishes, so Halal food doesn’t seem to be an issue on board Rapid 170 as well.

Heading along the cooling evening weather with my window open.

Laem Tanot Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Laem Tanot Railway Station.

Cha-uat Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Cha-uat Railway Station.

Khao Chum Thong Junction Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Khao Chum Thong Junction Railway Station.

Khao Chum Thong Junction Railway Station is the junction for the branch line to Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Heading through the Chong Khao Tunnel.

The evening mist on the highlands after the rain.

At this point, the attendant starts to convert seats into beds for the night.

Bedding is stored in the upper berth.

My made-up bed for the night. The quality of bedding seems on par with the Air-Conditioned Second Class Day & Night Coach

I raised the seat back to form a luggage rack, and it revealed a night lamp and an emergency call button.

Thung Song Junction Railway Station

Making a longer stop at Thung Song Junction Railway Station.

The stop at Thung Song Junction Railway Station allowed me to take pictures of my berth more easily. The usual bedding are provided, with the blanket changed to a red version.

The night light is under the flip-up seat back which then becomes a shelf to store small items. However, do remember that this is a non-air-conditioned coach so beware of things falling out of the window. To mitigate this, plus reading the weather report, I shut my window pane for the night to prevent my things falling out of the train and to prevent rain from entering while I was sleeping.

The overall space on the upper berth. This is not ideal with no window access for ventilation, relying only on the central rotating fan.

A night light and rope basket is available on the upper berth. For luggage storage and access, upper berth passengers can use the overhead luggage rack which would be level with the upper berth.

At Phatthalung, there was also an ice cream hawker who came through the train. Never thought I would be able to get ice cream on this train journey. This cup of coconut ice cream costs 10 Baht with bread toppings inside the cup.

My berth was also stopped beside one of the station shops, so I was also able to get cold drinks direct from the fridge with the stall owner bringing it to my window.

After the sun set, I rested early for the night since I had my dinner and dessert already, and I didn’t get enough rest the night before on board the Billion Stars Express bus.

Photharam Railway Station

I woke up the next morning after sunrise at Photharam Railway Station. That was a surprisingly pleasant sleep despite having no air-conditioning. While I kept my window closed, the wind was still able to enter my berth through the gaps on the sides which offered ventilation, and the temperature while travelling through the rural sectors also made the journey quite cooling.

The downside is that I got lots of bugs on my bed when I woke up. These were probably caused by bug spray as the train travelled at speed, and they got smacked on my window and entered my berth through the gaps. They were all very dead on my mattress.

The morning scenery and fresh air from Ratchaburi province.

Arriving at Ban Pong Railway Station.

Ban Pong Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Ban Pong Railway Station. The new station building and high platforms are coming up.

Ban Pong Railway Station was used as the unloading point for prisoner of wars (POWs) from Changi Prison, Singapore for the construction of the Thai-Burma Railway or Death Railway.

Meeting the line from Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi and Kanchanaburi after Ban Pong.

The Death Railway line continues parallel to the main SRT Southern Line to Nong Pladuk Junction Railway Station.

Meeting the line from Suphan Buri while approaching Nong Pladuk Junction Railway Station and crossing to the new line.

The Suphan Buri Line is served by only 1 pair of commuter trains daily catering to workers commuting to and from Bangkok for the day. Otherwise, you need to charter your own train or join the KiHa 183 excursion train to ride on this line.

Entering the new loop line of Nong Pladuk Junction Railway Station.

The new high platforms of Nong Pladuk Junction Railway Station are up already with track works now on the main line. Looks like Nong Pladuk Junction Railway Station will become quite major in the future.

Nong Pladuk Junction Railway Station is the start of the the Thai-Burma Railway or Death Railway.

Nakhon Pathom Railway Station

Passing by the new high platforms of Nakhon Pathom Railway Station.

The signal box of Nakhon Pathom Railway Station still stands beside the new platforms.

Making a brief stop at Nakhon Pathom Railway Station.

The Special Commuter 1124 Red Line Feeder is on Platform 3 standing by for departure as well.

Departing from Nakhon Pathom Railway Station.

By waking up relatively late as compared to the other passengers, I had missed breakfast which the hawkers were calling out for sale at Ratchaburi. Nevertheless, cold coffee, tea, and cocoa were available from a hawker who boarded at Nakhon Pathom, so here’s my coffee start to the day. This costs 20 Baht.

My berth was also made back to a seat by the attendant at this point as he collected the bedding.

The mattresses and pillows were kept in the upper berth with the rest of the bedding put in a bag for laundry after arriving at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

My berth is now back to a seat.

Sala Ya Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Sala Ya Railway Station.

Another hawker with Kway Teow made her rounds here, so here’s breakfast settled. This costs 10 Baht a pack, and I bought 2.

The Kway Teow tasted quite fresh, since it is in the morning after all, with the noodles not clumped together. Pickled shrimp and fish balls were also in the pack, and the noodles were nicely seasoned.

Passing through Taling Chan Junction Railway Station. This is the junction to Bangkok Thomburi Railway Station, the KM 0 of the SRT Southern Line.

Taking the upgraded Red Line tracks from here on.

Bang Bamru Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Bang Bamru Railway Station.

Taking the elevated viaducts after Bang Bamru Railway Station.

Crossing over the Chao Phraya River on the Rama VI Bridge.

Passing under the MRT Purple Line tracks before Bang Son Railway Station.

Passing by the connecting track from the elevated Red Line to the ground level towards Bang Sue Junction Railway Station. This track seems disused with a red warning board after the point and overgrown trees along the track.

Passing by the many viaducts at the flying junction before Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

Entering Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal on the elevated tracks and passing by the new depot.

The Bang Sue Junction signal box still stands, though the controllers can’t actually see the tracks from the windows any more with this viaduct blocking.

Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal

Entering Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

My Rapid 170 arrived at Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal at 8.42am – 17 minutes delayed. Pretty impressive for a Rapid train which is of lower priority.

Dynamic TV screens along the platform point passengers to the active escalators on where to exit from the platform.

The 4-car Nong Daeng on the SRT Nakhon Withi Line (SRT Light Red Line) getting ready to depart to Taling Chan Junction just beside.

 

Heading down the escalator to the exit.

Once down the escalator, I am at the main big concourse of Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. As escalators and stairs are available throughout the platform, the exit locations are also throughout the concourse, depending on where your nearest exit from your coach is.

Signs are placed around Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal for wayfinding.

The façade of Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, with the name still saying Bang Sue Grand Station.

From here, I continued my journey into Bangkok city by the SRT Free Shuttle Bus to Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.

Conclusion

It was a surprisingly pleasant trip on board the Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32). I was a bit apprehensive about the temperature on board, but thanks to the rain and cloudy skies throughout the trip, it was actually quite manageable and comfortable for the night’s rest. The level of service on board such as bedding comfort and toilets were comparable to the Air-Conditioned Second Class Day & Night Coach, without the air-conditioning of course. The journey was also quite time-effective as I didn’t want to spend too much time in Hat Yai anyway, and it got me to Bangkok in the morning to maximise my day.

The Bogie Second Class Day & Night Coach (BNS32/บนท.32) allowed me to travel from Singapore to Bangkok comfortably with a bed for the night, hitting my budget of under S$50. I still have some remaining budget left, so let’s see how I can stretch this S$50 all the way to my Bangkok hotel.

Singapore to Bangkok for under S$50!

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