Bangkok to Pakse

There are many ways to get from Thailand to Laos.  The quickest is by plane and the next fastest is by bus.  The slowest is by train.  So it is train for me.  My desire is to travel to Pakse the second biggest city in Lao and the entrance to the south.  A place where few travel.

The overnight sleeper train to Ubon Ratchathani leaves Bangkok at 8.30pm.  It is a long train with several sleeper classes and non-sleeper classes.  My class was second class sleeper which is an air-conditioned class with a sleeper bed.

My ticket said car 10, seat 15.  The first car was 16, the next 15, then 14, then 13 and the next was labelled car 10.  So after finding car 10, I moved into seat 15.  However I was told after a few minutes that it was in fact car 12 even though it had 10 on the outside board. 

Well where was car 10?  Well they had forgot to connect it and were getting it attached now.  It was 10 minutes to leaving time.  So a few bumps (as the car was connected) later, car 10 was attached and the wonderful conductor carried my bag to car 10 and showed me to my seat.  And the train left only two minutes late.

I then got a visit from the rail police.  Since the military government there are many more police and military at visible places.  So being one of the few Farang on the train, I was visited by the railway police and given a list of ‘Suggestions’.  I was also required to assure this rather officious man that I understood the suggestions.

The food lady arrived with a much nicer demeanour and I ordered option ‘F’.














I got very friendly service so there was no need to ring the number for ‘ungently’ service. 

The wonderful conductor came and made up my bed and then the option ‘F’ arrived.

The food was wonderful.  Chicken, pork, shrimp, squid lightly boiled on a salad base.  With a wonderful spicy, salty, lime sauce.  I was always avoid that rule about not eating salad.  Thai salads are so fresh and tasty.

Unfortunately the new military government has banned alcohol on trains.  It used to be wonderful to have a Singha with your dinner.

Then it was bed time.  I find sleeping on trains wonderful as they rock you to sleep and surprisingly quiet.  Everyone sleeps and there is very little talk.

A visit to the toilet is interesting.  The toilet goes straight onto the rails.  Reminder to self ‘Never walk under a railway overbridge in Thailand.’  Just in case someone is relieving themselves at that time.

Ubon with taxi driver approaching

In the morning coffee arrives and the train arrives at Ubon Rathchathani right on time at 7.30am.  Of course being the only Farang disembarking, I am immediately approached regarding if I need a taxi.  No need to search for one here. 

I decide to go straight to the border as the price quoted is exactly what is suggested on the internet.  I am dropped at Chong Mek immigration centre and pointed on the way.  No dramas and I walk in to Lao.

Again approached by a taxi driver who leads through Lao immigration and for the sum of $US30 and a myriad of forms I have my Lao visa. 

And then it is 30 minutes to Pakse and arrive at 10 am for coffee. 

A very pleasant way to travel, no dramas, no queues, no security checks.  Just pleasant friendly people (except for the railway policeman) and no hassles.  Beats plane travel any day.