Two weeks in Bangkok: your off-the-beaten-path suggestions

Hey Joël, I just reread the detailed notes you sent me, and I realize I already have plenty to do and see in Bangkok with all that...

Money-wise, I’ve budgeted 3,000 € for this 14-day trip (12 days on the ground if you subtract arrival and departure). Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?

Hello! Personally, in modern Thai style, I really like Chang Chui Creative Park—hardly any tourists, and there’s a plane turned into a luxury restaurant right in the middle. Such a fun spot!

Or the more famous Train Night Market, open on weekend evenings behind Seacon Square. It’s huge and crowded, but before it was full of antique dealers—I think there are fewer now. Still pretty great though!

Financially, I’ve budgeted 3000 € for this 46-day trip—44 days on the ground if you exclude arrival and departure. Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?

What’s included in that? Flights too?

Hi there, personally, in modern Thai style I really like Chang Chui Creative Park—hardly any tourists, a plane turned into a luxury restaurant in the middle, such a fun spot...

Or the more famous Train Night Market, open in the evenings on weekends, behind Seacon Square. It’s huge and crowded, but before it was full of antique dealers—I think there are fewer now. Still pretty cool, though...

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!

Hello Jean Marie

Beyond the must-see sites packed with tourists, I’d love to wander around the city and maybe within a 40–50 km radius for a day to discover unusual and lesser-known streets, houses, temples, markets, gardens, etc.

The rural river island of Koh Kret is perfect for you too (I’ll share it willingly).

It’s peaceful as soon as you move away from the small main village (popular with Thai visitors on weekends) and quiet everywhere during the week. The biggest motorized vehicle you’ll see is Michael the street vendor’s tricycle—aside from him, you’ll only spot a few motorbikes and bikes. A narrow road, about 5 km long and sometimes slightly elevated above the greenery, circles the island, with other equally narrow paths branching off toward the shore and hamlets. You can rent bikes at the "ferry" dock. There aren’t many places to eat outside the village (most are closed on weekdays). You’ll find a soup stall on the right, about 500–700 m after leaving the village heading north, and—if it’s reopened—another small eatery here: 13°54'10.44"N 100°28'38.63"E (located on the only "road" that lets you skip backtracking to the "main road" before continuing your loop).

From Bangkok, you can reach Koh Kret by bus or taxi via Pak Kret, but I recommend this option: take the orange-flag Chao Phraya river bus to its northern terminus in Nonthaburi (a pleasant, breezy 45-minute ride among locals for 15 baht), then a taxi (~120 baht) to Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret. The pier for Koh Kret is at the back of the temple (a 2-minute crossing for 2–3 baht).

I’ve been there half a dozen times, so I have photos I’ll try to post here.

Financially, I’ve budgeted 3000 € for this 46-day trip, 44 days on the ground if we exclude arrival and departure. Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?

If you avoid: -beach resorts -the "party" scene -French-speaking spots (accommodation, services, restaurants, etc.) -renting a car with or without a driver -excessive beer -international restaurant chains and if you mostly eat at local street stalls*, your budget of 66 € per day all-in (excluding airfare) will be more than enough. For reference, with the same criteria, Madame Songsam and I travel on 50 € per day for two. *which are the best places to discover the incredible variety of Thai cuisine.

The rural river island of Koh Kret is perfect for you too (I’ll share...).

Peaceful as soon as you move away from the small main village (popular with Thai visitors on weekends) and quiet everywhere during the week. The biggest motorized vehicle you’ll see is Michael the street vendor’s tricycle—aside from him, you’ll only spot a few motorbikes and bikes. A narrow road, about 5 km long and sometimes slightly elevated above the greenery, circles the island, and smaller paths branch off toward the shore and hamlets.

Oh! A huge thank you! That’s so nice of you. It’s really kind—this is exactly the kind of place I love.

Bike rentals are available at the "ferry" pier. Not many places to eat outside the village (most are closed on weekdays). There’s a soup stall on the right, about 500–700 m after leaving the village heading north, and if it’s reopened, another one here: 13°54'10.44"N 100°28'38.63"E (located on the only "road" that lets you avoid backtracking to the "main road" before continuing your loop).

I prefer walking to biking. I do 8–10 km every morning and can easily cover 20 km or more in a day when exploring. Plus, I’m better on my feet than on a bike. I love walking—you notice more details, like a huge scorpion on the path this morning or ant processions. For food and drinks, I’ll pack my small insulated backpack, but anyway, I have a big breakfast and skip lunch. Maybe a snack around 4:30–5:00 PM.

From Bangkok, you can reach Koh Kret by bus or taxi via Pak Kret, but I recommend this option: take the orange-flag Chao Phraya boat bus to its northern terminus in Nonthaburi (a pleasant, breezy 45-minute ride among locals for 15 baht) and then a taxi (~120 baht) to Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret. The pier for Koh Kret is at the back of the wat (a 2-minute crossing for 2–3 baht).

And even the transportation tips! Wow!

I’ve been there half a dozen times, so I have photos I’ll try to post here.

Amazing, thank you again!

The ferry to Koh Kret, at the back of Wat Sanam Nuea in Pak Kret:

On board the/orange-flag boat bus:

A big thank you, Thierry, for these photos

Koh Kret:

And even the means and how to get there!

Yes, I like it when my info or suggestions are complete.

Amazing! I can already picture myself there. I’m trying to lose the 3 kilos I’ve put on since arriving in India from eating parotha, dosa, uthappam, and more... But I feel like I’m gonna gain 5 kg in Thailand! 😇 Gotta get disciplined ;)

With a one-night/two-day side trip to Ayutthaya (and returning to Bangkok where I’d have kept the apartment I booked) and, depending on time, the same for Kanchanaburi.

In any case, you always have to factor in Bangkok’s monstrous traffic jams: ~6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 8 PM, including weekends. For example, leaving during those hours, plan for at least 4 hours total to get from central Bangkok to Kanchanaburi—and the same on the way back if you’re traveling in the afternoon. What a joy!… Even the expressways get jammed at those times.

Kanchanaburi (the town and surrounding area) deserves more than 2 days/1 night.

Another day trip: the Mae Khlong railway market. It’s become quite touristy, but getting there by train is still very "off the beaten path." You’ll need to take 2 trains + a ferry in between, and the one-way trip takes half a day, so it’s better to return to Bangkok by bus or spend the night there. In the same area, the floating markets of Amphawa (weekends only) and Damnoen Saduak are both *super* touristy.

uhhh are you sure you want to pick Bangkok as a city to "get off the beaten path"? Have you ever been to Bangkok? Bangkok is a megacity of several million people, so it comes with all the downsides—horrendous traffic, pollution... and the humid heat doesn’t help. You’d be better off going to La Baule, it’s way more peaceful.🙂

I’ve already told him that. But he loves walking and he’ll be there during a cooler time of year.

After that, he knows that air-conditioned taxis, the Skytrain, and river shuttles exist...

Bangkok is a megacity of several million inhabitants, so it comes with all the downsides that entails—horrendous traffic, pollution... It's better to go to La Baule, it's much quieter.🙂

Personally, in December I prefer BKK—the weather’s warmer there.

With a one-night/two-day side trip to Ayutthaya (and returning to Bangkok where I’d kept the apartment I booked) and, depending on how it goes, the same for Kanchanaburi.

In any case, you always have to factor in Bangkok’s monstrous traffic jams: ~6 AM to 10 AM and 3 PM to 8 PM, including weekends. For example, if you leave during those hours, budget at least 4 hours total to get from central Bangkok to Kanchanaburi—and the same for the return trip if you’re coming back in the afternoon. What a joy!… Even the expressways are jammed at those times.

Kanchanaburi (the town and surrounding area) deserves more than 2 days/1 night.

Yeah, I didn’t realize it would take so long. I was planning to go by train... So either I tweak my plans again, or I skip Kanchanaburi altogether... Either way, I’ve already booked my non-refundable, non-changeable bus ticket to Chiang Mai from Bangkok, so I’ll have to come back to Bangkok. I’m thinking it over, weighing my options... For my two-week stay, I’ve booked a small apartment near Lumphini Park. For the option of only one week in Bangkok, I’ve reserved a room in a guesthouse, pretty close to the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha (4 km away), so I can get around on foot. It’s run by a woman who gets rave reviews and is super helpful. I need to make up my mind once and for all—one or two weeks in Bangkok—so I can cancel one of the two bookings as soon as possible.

When I initially decided to stay only one week in Bangkok, I organized the extra week like this: 2 days/3 nights in Kanchanaburi and 3 days/4 nights in Ayutthaya. I think I’ll go back to that plan and drop the idea of two weeks in Bangkok. But I’m worried one week in Bangkok might be a bit too short... I also think it’s better to cancel the guesthouse room and keep the apartment to better organize my evening meals (if I buy food outside) and my morning teas. But the landlord won’t be happy, and he’ll probably change the price we’d agreed on (long-stay discount).

When I’d decided to stay only a week in Bangkok, I’d planned the extra week like this: 2 days/3 nights in Kanchanaburi and 3 days/4 nights in Ayutthaya. I think I’ll go back to that option and drop the idea of two weeks in Bangkok. But I’m worried one week in Bangkok might be a bit tight... And I think it’s better if I cancel the guesthouse room and keep the apartment to better organize my evening meals (if I buy food outside) and my morning teas. But the landlord won’t be happy, and he’ll probably change the price we’d agreed on (long-stay discount).

I would’ve swapped it: 2 days/3 nights in Ayutthaya and 3 days/4 nights in Kanchanaburi.

Whether you do 1 or 2 weeks in Bangkok really depends, in my opinion, on whether you plan to come back. If you’re thinking of returning, obviously just do one week.

I would’ve reversed it: 2 days/3 nights in Ayutthaya and 3 days/4 nights in Kanchanaburi.

That’s what I was thinking too, but you also told me there’s so much to see in Ayutthaya that 3 days wouldn’t be enough...

Whether you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bangkok depends, in my opinion, on whether you plan to come back. If you think you’ll return, just take one week.

How am I supposed to know today if I’ll come back in a year...

That’s also what I thought, but you also told me there’s so much to see in Ayutthaya that 3 days wouldn’t be enough...

Whether you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bangkok depends, in my opinion, on whether you plan to come back. If you do, obviously just take a week.

How am I supposed to know today if I’ll come back in a year...

If you check the link I sent you (which I’d posted on VF at the time), you could easily spend a full week there if you want to explore thoroughly. But not everyone’s into history or archaeology. Two full days to see a few sites, visit the museum, and take a boat tour—you can start with that. Again, everyone has their own pace and saturation point.

For exploring around Kanchanaburi, there’s more traveling than in the city, so that extra day won’t be too much. Beautiful landscapes in the area.

Finally, especially for those who love Thailand, how can you imagine someone *not* wanting to come back?

I have another concern I hadn’t thought of—the language barrier. Used to English in India, I stupidly assumed I’d manage the same in Thailand, forgetting India’s historical background that explains why a large part of the population speaks English. That’s not the case in Thailand. Will a voice translator on my phone be enough for hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourist sites? I don’t think I’ll need to have long conversations with Thais. I do read essential words and phrases here and there, but I forget them almost as soon as I’ve read them—and even then, you still need to know how to pronounce them to be understood.

Indeed, I didn't think it would take so much time. I was planning to go by train...

For Kanchanaburi, I’d strongly advise against the train. First, because you have to catch it at Thonburi station, which is in... Thonburi. Then, because it’s always one to two hours late, and finally, because it’s a third-class local train (so no reservations) that stops everywhere.

From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by public transport (other than the train), you’ve got three options: - **Bus 81 a/c**: 2-hour trip, departs every 20 minutes from Sai Tai bus terminal. It’s the farthest from the center, but it’s the best choice if you’ve got a lot of luggage since you can check it into the hold.

- **Minivan a/c from Sai Tai Guo minivan station**, a bit closer than Sai Tai. No luggage hold—you carry your bags on your lap* or buy an extra seat* (around 130 baht for this route) to put them there. Some don’t have headrests*. On the way, the minivan stops for LPG*, and all passengers have to get out*. Make sure to note your van’s license plate number so you can find it again—minivans tend to stop at the same gas stations and all look alike*.

- **Minivan a/c from Mo Chit minivan station**, the most accessible and the one that’ll save you the most time in traffic jams.

All the transport options mentioned above (not the train) leave every 15 to 20 minutes, so there’s no need to book ahead. Just go to the ticket counter—if there’s no space on the next departure**, they’ll put you on the next one, and that’s that.

* Info applies to all minivans leaving Bangkok, no matter the station. ** No more passengers than seats available.

or I give up on Kanchanaburi...

Bad idea.

Anyway, I’ve already bought my bus ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai—non-refundable, non-changeable—so I’ll have to come back to Bangkok.

That’s a shame since there are really good direct a/c buses from Kan to Chiang Mai—one in the morning and one around 2 PM. If you’re doing Kan → Chiang Mai via Bangkok, take a minivan from Kan to Mo Chit, then use the walkway to the "regular" Mo Chit terminal where your Chiang Mai bus leaves. That’ll save you 2 hours of crossing Bangkok.

2 days/3 nights in Kanchanaburi and 3 days/4 nights in Ayutthaya.

Same opinion as Jojoone: I’d say the opposite.

Will a voice translator on my phone be enough in hotels, restaurants, shops, and places to visit? I don’t think I’ll need to have long conversations with Thais.

In all these places, at worst, you’ll always find someone willing to make an effort to speak a few words of English—they won’t leave you stranded. In tourist sites, the written explanations are mostly available in English too.

From your questions about this trip, I think you’re worrying a bit too much. I’ve been to India a little, and if I had to compare the two countries, I’d say traveling in Thailand is much easier.

- Take bus 81 a/c1 (2-hour journey, departures every 20 minutes) from Sai Tai bus terminal. It's the farthest from the city center, but this bus is the best option if you have a lot of luggage since you can put it in the hold.

I prefer this option over cramming into a minivan with all the luggage.

It's a shame because from Kan to Chiang Mai, you have great direct a/c1 buses—one in the morning and one at 2 PM. If you're doing the Kan-Chiang Mai route via Bangkok in one go, take a minivan from Kan to Mo Chit, then use the walkway to the "regular" Mo Chit terminal where your bus to Chiang Mai will leave. That’ll save you 2 hours of crossing Bangkok.

I’ll do as you say, but that means I’ll have to cram into the minivan with my backpack and suitcase. No big deal since it’ll save me from crossing Bangkok. Thanks

2 days/3 nights in Kanchanaburi and 3 days/4 nights in Ayutthaya.

Same opinion as Jojoone: rather the opposite.

I’ll do as you suggest. I’ll cancel the second week in Bangkok, but I’ll stay in the apartment instead of the guesthouse, even though it’s closer to the tourist center. I’d feel more independent coming and going. And I’ll book the rooms in Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya. Thanks to both of you. You must be tired of my questions 😉

We're tired but we still have some energy left!

I once took a taxi to the Sai Tai Mai bus terminal, and from there we bought tickets to Kanchanaburi or Songkhla Buri, opting for the blue-and-white government buses—back then, the best value for money. Especially price-wise.

In tourist sites, the written explanations are most of the time also available in English.

I was reading what you wrote on another forum about meals, restaurants, dishes... You mention dish names, words, phrases, but I know I won’t remember them. Now I *have* to write absolutely everything down since I got sick. And then there’s pronouncing those words...

Through your questions for this trip, I think you’re worrying a bit too much. I know India a little, and if I had to compare the two countries, I’d say traveling in Thailand is much easier.

You’re absolutely right, and I’m aware of it. It’s precisely because I know how complicated India is that I’m imagining Thailand will be the same. But mostly, it’s because in India, I’m as comfortable traveling as if it were my own country. I know all the difficulties (well, almost) and how to avoid them—or at least deal with them. But this is my first trip to an unknown country, with a language I don’t know at all, and even though I’m still upbeat and determined, I’ve lost a lot of my physical and mental sharpness since I got sick two years ago. More « neuron » aftereffects than physical ones. And then there’s my age, which I tend to forget. But I don’t like saying it, admitting it, or accepting it. There, now you know everything...

I once took a taxi to the Sai Tai Mai bus terminal, and from there we bought tickets to Kanchanaburi or Songkhla Buri, opting for the blue and white government buses—back then, the best value for money. Especially price-wise.

Okay, thanks for the info. Given what I let slip earlier, I now prioritize quality and comfort over price. As long as it stays within my budget as a retiree who isn’t exactly rolling in money. 😉

I’ve got another question for you two. Sorry about that! You mentioned going round trip from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. But I’m also heading to Ayutthaya after Bangkok. I’d originally planned to go to Ayutthaya first, then Kanchanaburi. Do you think it’d be better to return to Bangkok after Kanchanaburi and then head back out to Ayutthaya? I think Thierry forgot about Ayutthaya Here’s the updated plan: - January 19–25: BANGKOK - January 26–29: KANCHANABURI - January 30–February 1: AYUTTHAYA - February 2: Return to BANGKOK and depart the same day at 7:25 PM, overnight bus to CHIANG MAI

Thanks to both of you. You must be tired of my questions 😉

I’ll never get tired of it—I really enjoy it. Preferably by giving the clearest and most direct answers possible so they don’t sow doubt in the "questioner’s" mind.

Quote from Jojoone1: "Sai Tai Mai, and from there we bought tickets to Kancha or Songkhlaburi, opting for the blue and white government buses—back then, the best value for money. Especially price-wise." End of quote. Unless I’m mistaken, I don’t recall Sai Tai-Sangkhlaburi buses ever existing. However, for about ten years, there were around ten buses a day from Mo Chit to Kanchanaburi (via a different route), with four continuing to Sangkhlaburi. They were really handy as the only direct option from Bangkok to Sangkhlaburi—unfortunately, the route seems to have been discontinued.

The blue and white bus is the 81 a/c bus I mentioned earlier: departures every 20 minutes from Sai Tai, 2-hour trip, and now the only bus option from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (the 81 thamada and 81a/c2 lines were discontinued long ago).

* *thamada* bus: regular bus that stops anywhere on request for boarding and alighting, no A/C but fans (watch your head if you’re over 1.75m), 5 seats across. Increasingly rare on medium and long distances.

I was reading what you wrote on another forum about meals, restaurants, dishes... You give names of dishes, words, phrases, but I know I won’t remember them. Now I have to write everything down since I got sick. And then you have to know how to pronounce those words

What you really need to remember are the useful phrases if you don’t like spicy food (if that’s the case, you must be miserable in India...). The rest is secondary. As much as possible, I wrote the words as they’d be spelled in French to pronounce them like they do there.

As long as it stays within my retired budget—I’m not exactly rolling in money. 😉

I’ll repeat what I already told you earlier (I get the feeling you didn’t see it): with the conditions I listed, your budget will be enough.

Do you think it’d be better to return to Bangkok after Kanchanaburi and then head to Ayutthaya? I think Thierry forgot Ayutthaya Here’s the new plan: - January 19–25: BANGKOK - January 26–29: KANCHANABURI - January 30–February 1: AYUTTHAYA - February 2: Return to BANGKOK and departure the same day at 7:25 PM, overnight bus to CHIANG MAI

No, I saw it, but I thought you wanted to visit each of those two destinations as round trips from Bangkok. Bangkok-Kanchanaburi-Ayutthaya-Bangkok—given your situation, that’s how I’d do it too.

However, there’s no direct public transport from Kan to Ayutthaya. To avoid going back via Bangkok, you’d first need to take the yellow *thamada* bus (only option) from Kan to Suphanburi, then another *thamada* bus to Ayutthaya—about 5 hours total.

But there’s another option: the Kan-Ayutthaya tourist shuttle run by local agencies. It’s about twice as expensive (500 baht, I think), but faster (3–4 hours) and saves you the detour through Bangkok. I can’t tell you much more about it since I’ve never taken it, but it’s highly likely tourists are packed in (often the case with tourist-focused public transport run by agencies), and there’s probably a luggage storage area. If you’re interested, check with the local travel agencies on the touristy Thanon Mae Nam Kwae the day before, or ask your guesthouse.

No, this message definitely slipped through the cracks—I didn’t see it!

Financially, I’ve budgeted 3,000 € for this 46-day trip (44 days on the ground, excluding arrival and departure). Is that a good budget? Average? Not enough?

If you avoid: -beach resorts -the "party" scene -French-speaking spots (accommodation, services, restaurants, etc.) -renting a car (with or without a driver) -excessive beer -international restaurant chains and if you mostly eat at local street stalls*, your budget of 66 € per day (all-inclusive except airfare) will be more than enough. For reference, with the same criteria, Madame Songsam and I travel on 50 € per day for two. *which are the best places to discover the incredible variety of Thai cuisine.

I just emptied my pockets: I’m at 3,200 €, so 71 € per day. All my hotel bookings add up to less than 1,200 €. That leaves 2,000 €. I’d like to rent a car (with a driver) from time to time...

Here’s the new plan: - January 19–25: BANGKOK - January 26–29: KANCHANABURI - January 30–February 1: AYUTTHAYA - February 2: return to BANGKOK and departure the same day at 7:25 PM, overnight bus to CHIANG MAI

I’m guessing that if I leave AYUTTHAYA by bus in the morning, I’ll have plenty of time to catch my evening bus to CHIANG MAI. Unless there are more trains on that route and it’s better to return to Bangkok by train?

I just emptied my pockets: I’ve got 3,200, which works out to 71 per day. All my hotel bookings add up to less than 1,200. That leaves 2,000. I’d like to rent a car (with driver) from time to time...

That gives you an average of 1,000 baht per day for accommodation without beach resorts—it’s great, you’ll have really decent rooms. Under the same conditions, I spend around 700/day with AC, a private bathroom, and a bit of decor and comfort, so yours will be even better.

For the car with driver, you’ll be able to afford it occasionally for full-day trips. Anyway, from what I know of your itinerary so far, only the in-depth exploration of Nan Province (not the city) will really require a car, because aside from the Nan-Huay Kon route (Laotian border) served by regular minivans, public transport is extremely rare*. Everywhere else on your route, you’ll always find transport options, even songthaews ready to turn into taxis**. About cars with drivers, just know that for it to be legal, the driver (and any guide) must be Thai. In Thailand, there’s no legal way for a foreigner (even if legally settled) to work in tourism, even occasionally. At least for this reason, refuse any offer from a non-Thai who might propose their services under the table, whether in person, by email, or PM (to them, you’d be the "ideal client"). Also be careful with expats who recommend a Thai driver—most of the time, they do it to earn a commission from the driver. * No problem, though, getting to Nan from other provinces (e.g., Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Rai, Phrae, Phayao—a city worth 2-3 nights). ** Songthaew turning into a taxi: as long as you know how to haggle.

I assume that by leaving in the morning by bus from AYUTTHAYA, I’ll have plenty of time to catch my evening bus to CHIANG MAI. Unless there are more trains on this route and it’s better to return to Bangkok by train?

Yes, you’ll have plenty of time, even if you leave around 1 PM. Personally, I’d leave around 3:30 PM (1.5 hours by minivan + 10-minute walk to reach the "normal" Mo Chit + 40 minutes to grab a bite and get to the bus platform, leaving me with 1.5 hours of "buffer time"). But I get the feeling you’d prefer to leave before 1 PM... I’m not sure if buses are still running, but consider a minivan too (more frequent departures than trains).

By train: The tourist schedules (the ones you find online) show about a dozen Express or Rapid trains per day (both with a supplement) coming from far away* (all trains stop at Ayutthaya) and terminating at Aphiwat. In reality, there are also 17 others not listed on those schedules because they’re "commuter trains"** (suburban trains). They don’t stop at Aphiwat and terminate at Hualamphong. If you take one of these commuters, get off at Bang Sue Junction. From Aphiwat or Bang Sue***, it’s just a short taxi ride to Mo Chit.

* Delays of 1–2 hours are common, and you have to take the one specified on your ticket. ** These are trains (often self-propelled) with only 3rd class. With your 3rd-class ticket, you can take the first commuter that comes along. *** Sue: pronounced somewhere between "seu" and "sé".

Yes, you’ll have plenty of time, even if you leave around 1 PM. I’d personally leave around 3:30 PM (1.5 hours by minivan + 10-minute walk to reach "normal" Mo Chit + 40 minutes to grab a bite and get to the bus platform, and I’d still have 1.5 hours "as a buffer"). But I can tell you’d rather leave before 1 PM...

You really made me laugh! You nailed it. 😏😉

I don’t know if buses are still running, but consider a minivan too (more frequent departures than trains). By train: The tourist schedules (the ones you find online) show about a dozen Express or Rapid trains per day (both require a supplement) coming from far away* (all trains stop in Ayutthaya) and terminating at Aphiwat. In reality, there are also 17 others not listed on those schedules because they’re "commuter trains"** (local trains)—they don’t stop at Aphiwat and terminate at Hualamphong. If you take one of these commuters, get off at Bang Sue Junction. From Aphiwat or Bang Sue***, it’s just a short taxi ride to Mo Chit.

* Frequent delays of 1–2 hours, and you must take the one specified on your ticket. ** These are trains (often self-propelled) with only 3rd class. With your 3rd-class ticket, you can take the first commuter that comes along. *** Sue: pronounced somewhere between "seu" and "sé."

I’ll decide on the spot at the last minute... Well, not *the* last minute—two days before 😉

Especially for those who love Thailand, how could anyone not want to go back?

Unimaginable!!! Just thinking about it gives me the blues... 🤪

... For Kanchanaburi, I strongly advise against taking the train. First, because you have to go pick it up at Thonburi Station, which is in... Thonburi. Then, because it’s always one to two hours late, and finally, because it’s a third-class local train (so you can’t reserve seats) that stops everywhere.

From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by public transport other than the train, there are 3 options: - Bus 81 a/c (2-hour trip, departures every 20 minutes) from Sai Tai bus terminal. It’s the farthest from the city center, but it’s the best choice if you have a lot of luggage since you can check it in the hold.

Hello,

While I think you have great knowledge about Thailand, some of your info is a bit outdated.

That said, I don’t entirely agree with your take on transportation options.

- First, you say you have to take the train at Thon Buri and that you have to go to Thon Buri—well, that’s stating the obvious. But the station is actually easy to reach, especially with the Chao Phraya River boat, which you’ve already mentioned. The station is right behind Siriraj Hospital, which is along the river and served by those boats.

- Then, you mention Sai Tai bus terminal (full name: Sai Tai Mai-Taling Chan), more commonly known as the Southern Bus Terminal, which is also in... Thon Buri, but much more out of the way than the train station.

- Minivan a/c from Mo Chit minivan terminal, the most accessible and the one that’ll save you the most time stuck in traffic.

I’m not convinced it’s faster, even if the minivan uses expressways. After all, those routes still cross Bangkok, since Mo Chit is on the east side of the city and Kanchanaburi is to the west.

I actually found a minivan from Transport Co Ltd (a government company), No. 9918, that makes stops in Bangkok on the way to Kanchanaburi, while the return trip seems to be direct between Kanchanaburi and Mo Chit...

If you’re making the Kanchanaburi-Chiang Mai trip via Bangkok, take a minivan from Kan to Mo Chit, then use the walkway to the "regular" Mo Chit terminal where your bus to Chiang Mai will depart. That’ll save you 2 hours of crossing Bangkok.

Beyond what I’ve already mentioned about traffic, it’s worth noting that Mo Chit has undergone major organizational changes this past year. I’d strongly advise our friend to take the time to scope things out beforehand to travel stress-free.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin.

... By train: the tourist schedules (the ones you find online)

Unfortunately, this statement is false. SRT (State Railways of Thailand) has entered the 21st century. Besides having a fairly comprehensive website largely translated into English, they’ve developed mobile apps that let you buy tickets and also find all the schedules you want—both for long-distance and commuter trains.

There’s even a dedicated site for tracking train positions in near real-time, which lets you check the delay of any train live, if needed.

That said, they used to offer a downloadable timetable that was really useful, but it hasn’t been updated since it was created in April 2023, even though some schedules have changed since then. I find that pretty disappointing.

They list about a dozen Express or Rapid trains per day (both with a supplement) coming from far away* (all trains stop at Ayutthaya) and terminating at Aphiwat. In reality, there are also 17 others not shown on those schedules because they’re "commuter trains"** (local trains). They don’t stop at Aphiwat and terminate at Hualampong. If you take one of these commuters, get off at Bang Sue Junction station.

Actually, there are 16 long-distance trains and 11 commuters serving Ayutthaya. However, since commuters are primarily meant to transport students and workers, they’re concentrated in the morning for the Ayutthaya→Bangkok route. The last one that might interest our friend is at 12:40 PM—after that, the next commuter isn’t until around 6 PM.

Of course, there are long-distance trains serving Ayutthaya in that time frame.

From Aphiwat or Bang Sue*** it’s just a short taxi ride to Mo Chit.

You can also take one of the many buses that serve both locations for a bargain price. (Wait + bus takes 15/20 minutes max.)

*Frequent delays of 1–2 hours, and you must take the train indicated on your ticket.

While it’s still far from perfect, SRT has made a lot of progress, especially with the construction of double tracks.

Partirdeloin

I’ll do as you say, but I’ll still have to squeeze into the minivan with my backpack and suitcase. No big deal though, since it’ll save me from crossing Bangkok. Thanks

Hello,

If I understood correctly, you’re going to Kanchanaburi before Ayutthaya, so you can easily leave your non-essential luggage at your Bangkok accommodation—unless you’re heading straight to Ayutthaya without stopping in Bangkok. In that case, since you’ll be passing through Bangkok again for your bus to Chiang Mai, I’d recommend leaving your extra bags in a locker at Mo Chit (3rd floor) before heading to Kanchanaburi and picking them up when you return from Ayutthaya.

This way, you can travel lighter on the Kanchanaburi-Ayutthaya leg.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Good evening,

- to start, you say you need to take the train at Thon Buri and that you need to go to Thon Buri, which is a truism

It’s not *that* much of a truism. If I wrote it that way, it’s because the station is called Thonburi—since in Thonburi, there are other stations with different names (like Bang Ramat, for example).

because the station is right behind Siriraj Hospital

Did you know that Siriraj Hospital (actually an annex) was built about thirty years ago on land donated by the SRT, where the original terminus station, called Bangkok Noi, used to be? It was demolished for a reason, but I still remember it from the first (and only, believe me!) time I went to Kanchanaburi in 1985. The current Thonburi station, which has since become the *de facto* "terminus," was the first stop when leaving Bangkok Noi.

station is easily accessible, especially with the Chao Phraya river boat

Easily... if you’re already on one side of the river. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with transportation, traffic jams, and crossing a bridge whose approaches are often congested.

you mention the Sai Tai bus terminal by its full name, Sai Tai Mai-Taling Chan

Thais say "Sai Tai," and taxi drivers say (and understand) "Sai Tai," so there’s no need to remember or use its full name. At most, you might need to say "Sai Tai Gao" if you’re talking about the minivan station (which is itself at the old location of the bus terminal*). Also, the "Mai" can be confusing for a taxi driver because in Thai, it also means negation—so if you mispronounce it, they might think you *don’t* want to go to Sai Tai. They won’t admit they don’t understand (due to cultural reasons), will smile, and you’ll end up driving around Bangkok for hours without ever reaching Sai Tai...

* The Sai Tai bus terminal has moved three times. The very first location (which I also remember...) was right by the Chao Phraya, until it was decided to relocate bus terminals far away to "ease" traffic.

I’m not convinced it’s faster

You’re not convinced—which implies you’ve never taken this train, right? If so, try it one day, and after that, you’ll take the bus or minivan. For non-touristy reasons, I used to hang out at Kanchanaburi station daily, and every day, I saw the train from Bangkok arrive—always one to two hours late (sometimes three). The passengers getting off always looked exhausted.

it’s still true that they cross Bangkok, since Mo Chit is east of the city and Kanchanaburi is west.

No, Mo Chit is in the *north*—Ekamai is in the east. The minivans leaving Mo Chit for Kanchanaburi don’t cross Bangkok; they take the expressway heading west right away, more or less bypassing the city. I’ve made that trip at least fifteen times in each direction.

I even found a Transport Co Ltd (government) minivan, No. 9918, that stops in Bangkok on the way to Kanchanaburi

For about a dozen years now, public minivans to/from the provinces have been banned from passing through Bangkok. That’s why terminals were built near Sai Tai and Mo Chit specifically for them. The 9918 is the regular minivan that leaves Mo Chit every 15 minutes, which I already mentioned above. For info, there’s also the 81, which leaves Mo Chit every 30 minutes for Lad Ya and also serves Kanchanaburi via the same route.

Best regards.

2-3

Looks like I’ve got a "proofreader" on my hands... Not too swamped?

If you think Mochit is east of BKK, you’ve completely lost your bearings!

Would you like some GPS recommendations?

It’s not as obvious as it seems. If I wrote it that way, it’s because the station is called Thonburi—because in Thonburi, there are other stations with different names (like Bang Ramat, for example).

Hello,

Saying that Thon Buri station is in another city makes sense, just like saying Bang Ramat station is in Thon Buri makes sense. It’s like clarifying for a non-French person that Gare de Lyon is in Paris, not Lyon, which might be confusing.

But the way you seemed to present it—especially with the ellipsis and a negative tone—made it sound like Thonburi was some "middle of nowhere" where only a fool would venture. Meanwhile, you didn’t mention the bus terminal at all, even though it’s in the same area.

Did you know that Siriraj Hospital (actually an annex) was built about thirty years ago on land donated by the SRT, where the original terminus station, Bangkok Noi, used to be? It was demolished for a reason, but I still remember it from the first (and only, believe me!) time I went to Kanchanaburi in 1985. The current Thonburi station, which later became the "terminus," was the first stop after leaving Bangkok Noi.

Thanks for this additional info.

Easily... if you’re already on one side of the river. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with traffic, jams, and crossing a bridge where the roads are often congested.

Based on our friend’s choice of accommodation (Sukhumvit), which I looked into, the BTS and MRT are the fastest ways (since they avoid rush-hour traffic) to reach a "pier" (dock) for the Chao Phraya River boat, which also isn’t affected by the traffic issues mentioned.

Thais say Sai Tai...

My point wasn’t linguistic (I don’t think Thai linguistics is a priority for our friend) but geographical. When you search for "Sai Tai," dozens of places come up. With the full name—or better, the common name—it’s much clearer.

Also, "Mai" can be confusing for a taxi driver because in Thai, it’s also the word for negation...

*Mai* is a negation at the start of a sentence but becomes a question at the end, like in *Sabai dee mai?* (How are you?). And *mài* means "new." Just saying—it’s really hard to summarize Thai that simply.

I’m not convinced it’s faster

You’re not convinced, which implies you’ve never taken that train...

This quote was from a paragraph where I was talking about Mo Chit and minivans—not the train...

Is that the case? If so, take it one day, and next time you’ll take the bus or minivan. As for Kanchanaburi, for a non-touristy reason, I used to hang out at the station daily. Every day, I saw the train from Bangkok arrive—always one to two hours late (sometimes three)...

I stand by the fact that things have improved for the reasons already mentioned. Proof I couldn’t give last night: today, I checked the available data, and the train was only 18 minutes late—far from the daily one, two, or even three hours you mentioned.

No, Mo Chit is in the north...

My mistake—the late hour of my post is probably to blame for that mix-up...

They take the expressway that heads west right away, more or less bypassing the city.

The "more or less" you added this time makes all the difference. Nonthaburi, where the expressway you mentioned passes through, is a very close and densely populated suburb of Bangkok, with heavy traffic during rush hour.

I even found a minivan from Transport Co Ltd (a government company), No. 9918, that goes to Kanchanaburi with stops in Bangkok

For over a dozen years now, public minivans to/from the provinces have been banned from passing through Bangkok.

The route info I gave is current, but I haven’t verified it personally.

If our friend takes this option—which I also suggested because of the luggage storage at Mo Chit, letting him travel lighter on the Bangkok-Kanchanaburi-Ayutthaya-Bangkok route—he can easily confirm how it works.

Best regards,

Partirdeloin.

Clearly I’ve found a "proofreader" to check my posts... Not too swamped?

Clearly you’re "way off," but feel free to think you’re some kind of "prophet"—seems like they’ve been popping up everywhere since the forum reopened...

And you don’t seem to be one either...

Best regards,

Partirdeloin.

Songsam deserves a prophet

Personally, I felt like a messiah and a guru

Time to change the literature 😉 or your circle