Night Train

We had decided that we had seen enough of Bangkok and that we were ready to head north to Chiang Mai to get ready for Songkrahn, the HUGE water festival that happens every year during their new year. We had three options to get north, we could either fly for about $150 each or take a bus $15 each or take a thing the night train $26. We chose the night train and loved it!

At this point the protests and demonstrations by the red shirts have started to get pretty hectic and it was near impossible to get out of the city to the train station but after about 2 hours we arrived. We walked in and the place was packed, everyone was sitting at cafeteria-style chairs facing the king that was painted on the wall. We awkwardly made our way to the snack shack trying our best not to turn our backs to the king, but probably looking very special. In Thailand it is OFFICIALLY illegal to make jokes or threats about the king, and yes, you will go to jail. So, we grabbed some snacks and hopped on the train. The 2nd class sleeper was badass it had two seats facing each other that fold into bunk beds when you’re ready – takes the man about 30 seconds to make one of the most comfortable beds that we have slept in since we left the US. Oh and by the way it had AC.

We started chatting with a couple next to us named Edwin and Debbie from Holland – quite nice people (in a Dutch accent). Then a small lady came through asking if we wanted beers – yep. Around 9:00pm our car turns into quiet time so we walk up a few cars to the “bar-car”! The thing had TV, music, cocktails, beers, locals, foreigners, and a friendly staff. We drank until they kicked us out at 11:00pm and then stumbled our way back through the different cars to find our beds and get some rest.