The plan: travel by train from Kulai to Bangkok then to Chiang Mai.
(Did not start the train journey from JB/Singapore as I met a friend for breakfast in JB and a friend for lunch in Kulai.)
JB to Kulai: 2 Nov
Took the bus from JB sentral to Kulai. (RM4) 50mins
Kulai to Kluang: 2 Nov
Took the ETD 3:28pm from Kulai to Kluang, ETA 4:34pm (RM12) The train was very punctual.
This is the temporary train station at Kulai, nearby AEON Mall Kulai. It is NOT near the Kulai bus terminal.
Kluang
The old Kluang train station in the foreground (with blue roof) and the big future new Kluang train station at the background. Kluang city and Gunung Lambak at the background.
Kluang to Gemas: 3 Nov
Took the ETD 10:44am from Kluang to Gemas, ETA 1:14pm (RM16) The train was very punctual.The start of the Kluang to Gemas train ride.
By the way, if you want to choose seats beside the windows for great views, you can read my earlier post when I took the train from JB sentral to Kluang.
Gemas
Arrived in Gemas. Train from Gemas to KL sentral would be leaving 3:20pm. Gemas Train Station Gemas Town. Imagine about 8 times of this street, and that’s about the whole of Gemas town. Lunch: having my Oden in Family Mart in Gemas, with aircon.
Gemas to Kuala Lumpur: 3 Nov
Took the ETD 3:20pm from Gemas to Kuala Lumpur (KL sentral), ETA 5:55pm (RM31) The train was very punctual.
Very nice train from Gemas to KL Sentral. The new electric train. Do note that there are 2 counters selling train tickers. The left counter are for trains in Malaysia. The right counter are for trains to Thailand. You can see the different countries’ flags hung there. The seating arrangement is very different from the previous leg from JB sentral to Gemas. I reserved a seat with a table, seat 14D of coach A. (You can see the tables indicated when you are choosing your seat.)
But when I walked through the train, the seating position is not identical for each coach. For example, seat 14D of coach A has a table but seat 14D of coach B does not have a table.Lucky me, seat 14D of Coach A has a power socket for me to charge my phone. Not all seats have power sockets below. There is a small bistro in coach C. Like a flight, you are updated on the speed of the train.
Kuala Lumpur to Padang Besar: 4 Nov
The train was very packed.
Took the ETD 9:50pm from Kuala Lumpur (KL sentral) to Padang Besar, ETA 3:23pm (RM106) The train was very punctual.
The interesting thing about this leg of the train ride. There are several timings on this leg. The prices for this leg are about RM106 except for the 10:45am train which costs RM76.
I am targeting to reach Padang Besar to buy tickets and catch the 6pm overnight train to Bangkok. So, decided to take an earlier but more expensive train timing.
On this train, there is a power socket beneath every seat. This is the view from later 2nd half of the train journey. The first half of the train journey, was through the forest, so there isn’t anything much to see. Then the landscape widens up. There are beautiful views of the wide landscape but difficult to get a nice shot when the train is moving.
Padang Besar Train Station
When buying tickets for the train to Thailand, you can pay in Thai baht or Malaysian Ringgit. I calculated that it is cheaper in Thai baht.Yay! Was able to buy a train ticket from Padang Besar to Bangkok. Sleeping on the upper berth as the lower berth is sold out. I prefer the lower berth for convenience. (870baht for upper berth. Lower berth is more expensive)
I asked and found out the website to buy Thailand train tickets online. But it is all in Thai. Website: dticket.railway.co.th/
For the Thai arrival card, you need to approach the police in the station. When you show a valid train ticket to Thailand, then they would pass you the Thai arrival card. There is a cafeteria in the station. I did not go further out as it was a long round walk to the city. They sealed off the direct route to the city. So, I stayed at this cafeteria till my train is due. The outside of Padang Besar train station.The outside of Padang Besar train station.There is a colorful Hindu temple just outside of Padang Besar train station.
Padang Besar to Bangkok
Took the ETD 5pm Thailand Time, Padang Besar to Bangkok, ETA 12:45pm next day (870baht for upper berth sleeper)
The train left at 5:08pm Thailand Time. And arrived at 2:10pm the next day.
Important note: the train departure is based on Thailand time which is 1 hour earlier compared to Malaysian time.
Similar to the woodlands train checkpoint, you do both countries’ (Malaysian and Thai) immigration here, one after the other. Just done both countries’ (Malaysian and Thai) immigration. I am officially in Thailand. The train is here!! My seat and my bed above, which has yet to be set up. This is how it would look like after set up with the small ladder on the right side to climb up. Thai milk tea. 30 baht. The vendors come on board the train to sell. Getting ready to sleep. The scenery is quite flat. Lots of agricultural land.Lunch on the train. 30 baht.Was given a bottle of water and a snack. Easy to eat Pomelo. 40baht. Arrived at Hua Lamphong(Bangkok) after a journey of 21hours.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai train ticket for 7th Nov
Forgot to take into consideration that everyone might be going to Chiang Mai like me for the Loy Krathong festival. For the 7th Nov, only able to get a 3rd Class, overnight seating with fan. At least it is very cheap, 311 baht.
Bangkok
All over bangkok: old shops close.All over Bangkok: New shops open. Breakfast. 60baht. With time to kill before my train to Chiang Mai at 7:35pm, I visited Yunomori Onsen at Sathorn. The onsen is ok and adequate. I do like the many places to chill, like this rooftop bar. With time to kill before my train to Chiang Mai at 7:35pm, I visited Yunomori Onsen at Sathorn. The onsen is ok and adequate. I do like the many places to chill, like this rooftop bar.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 7 Nov
Train to Chiang Mai.3rd Class seating with fan. 3rd class seating with fan when full. The night got colder and colder as the train traveled north and into the mountains.Arrived in Chiang Mai. The train was surprisingly punctual.
Chiang Mai
One of places to enjoy Loy Krathong in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is ready for Loy Krathong.Top North Guesthouse: very good for 315baht/night. There is a swimming here as well. Loy KrathongLoy Krathong. Loy Krathong. Sky lanterns not allowed this year.Waited 45mins for khao soi from this famous stall. Gone in 5mins.The crowd when I left. It was better when I arrived at 1115am. Loy Krathong Parade. Boat noodles. Going to start my 7 days meditation retreat soon. Would turn off my internet till afternoon of 16 Nov.
Doi Suthep Meditation Retreat (10-16 Nov)
Schedule and guidelines for the meditation retreat. My room for 7days 6nights. Morning view of Chiang Mai. Feels like I am in the clouds. Afternoon view of Chiang Mai. You can see glimpses of the city through the clouds. Night view of Chiang Mai. My favourite view of Chiang Mai from the retreat centre. Vegetarian food. Eggs in the meals as well. Only breakfast and lunch. No eating of solid foods after 12noon. The best meal of the retreat. Only realised that the water heater is working on the 3rd day. So, was showering in cold mountain water for the first 2 days. Moth on car. After each meditation session, was asked to read this and wish for loving kindness to myself and all. My favourite place to do my meditation sessions. Sunrise on my last day. On the morning of my last day, after it rained last night. Last breakfast/meal of my retreat. Pad Thai!! Checking out of the retreat. It was bittersweet.
Bitter – the digital detox was great. Back to daily life.
Sweet – it was not easy everyday during the retreat. There were tiring ups and downs. Donated away my white clothes. Wow. The black moss turned green after last night’s rain. After checking out of the retreat, I did a last sitting meditation session at my usual spot in the main meditation hall. Was not able to concentrate as compared to my last few meditation sessions and slightly emotional at the start of the session. I think because my life would not revolve wholly around meditation after this session.Last glimpse of the meditation centre. Leaving the meditation centre, the clouds have come in. The view ahead might be foggy but I would walk ahead. On my many times to Doi Suthep, this is my first time noticing this big beautiful Buddha at the entrance.
Chiang Mai to Bangkok: 16 Nov
Back to Bangkok via 2nd class sleeper train. Was able to get a lower berth for sleeping.
Maybe because I bought it more than a week ago.
Feel like I can truly do my usual relaxing holiday after this train ride. Have been on the move quite constantly since the start or was having my ups and down during my meditation retreat.Chiang Mai train station.Chiang Mai to Bangkok ETD 330pm, ETA 525am the next day.
801baht for lower berth 2nd class sleeper.
Compare that to my 311baht, which I paid for my 3rd class seating with fan from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.Leaving the north of Thailand. Train ride between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Khun Tan station. It is about 2 hours from Chiang Mai.
I am very curious about this stop along the way between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. It seems like only a small village in the mountains.
On the way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, I noticed some local Thais that came from Bangkok alighting here. There were some tourist backpackers who alighted here as well.
So, there should be something to explore here. My bed for the night is set up at 620pm. I thought it was very early to set up the bed, as those on the upper berth would have a more troublesome time getting around. But then, that’s why the lower berth is more expensive.Last entry since the next 4 days in Bangkok would be just chilling and relaxing.
Yay, the train arrived late at 640am instead of the earlier 530am.
Will travel 