Ian Brooker

Here’s the video I was hoping to get: our Royal Blossom train overtaking the steam heritage train! Starting at the rear, the first carriage you see is the new Beyond Horizon carriage with 1st and 2nd Class seats. Next come the red JR West sleeper carriages, the blue OTOP carriages and the regular 3rd Class carriages. Leading the train are Pacific steam locomotives Nos. 824 and 850. #ThaiTrainGuide #RoyalBlossom #BeyondHorizon #SteamTrain #Thailand

🚂 EXPLORING PRAN BURI BY TRAIN: MY FINAL OVERNIGHT STOP Yesterday I made the final train move of my eight-day research trip along the upper Southern Line. I caught Ordinary No. 254 at Khan Kradai Station, about 1.8 km from my resort at Ao Noi Bay, and travelled roughly an hour north to Pran Buri. I wanted to get closer to Bangkok before heading home, but my main reason for stopping was to investigate local transport options. Pran Buri is often suggested as a gateway to Pran Buri Beach, Pak Nam Pran, Khao Kalok and Sam Roi Yot Beach. But how easy is it to reach these places without your own transport? 🚕 Where are the taxis? When I arrived at Pran Buri Station, I couldn’t see any taxis waiting. I later asked around and was told there are usually two drivers, although they don’t necessarily meet every train. I returned to watch the next arrival and again saw no obvious taxis, although one backpacker appeared to have arranged a pickup in advance. 📱 What about Grab? Grab does seem to operate in Pran Buri. I saw motorcycle riders delivering food, and when I checked the app for a car from the station to Pak Nam Pran Beach, it quoted 160 baht for a 17-minute journey. However, seeing a fare doesn’t guarantee that a driver will accept your booking. I’ve tried this before in smaller towns and had no drivers accept my request. So Grab is worth trying, but I wouldn’t rely on it without a backup plan. 🚆 Why do more trains stop at Wang Phong? Something else surprised me. Only six trains a day stop at Pran Buri, three in each direction. Yet Wang Phong Station, just 2.79 km further north, has 24 trains stopping there, including most of the sleeper services. I cycled over to investigate and found a station that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Someone suggested that the nearby army camp might explain the additional stops, although I’m not entirely convinced. I also spotted an old railway water tank, once used to supply steam locomotives. Perhaps Wang Phong was historically an important operational stop and the stopping pattern has continued. 🛺 A useful local transport contact At Wang Phong I found a lone electric tuk-tuk driver waiting for passengers. I asked whether he could take people to Pran Buri Beach or Sam Roi Yot Beach. He quoted around 300 baht for a transfer to the latter and said he also has a car for longer journeys or anyone wanting more comfort. 📞 081-300-6050 He recommended calling in advance rather than expecting him to be waiting at the station. This is exactly the kind of practical information I’ve been collecting throughout this trip. 🏨 Where I stayed I spent the night at Ban Pran Boutique Resort, which appears to be the closest place to Pran Buri Station. It was very quiet. In fact, I think I might have been the only guest. Breakfast wasn’t included. ☕ Coffee and trains I also went looking for Pran Buri’s old Saturday walking street, but it seems that no longer operates as it once did. There’s another night market area near the railway bridge over the Pran Buri River, which I was told opens daily. Nearby is Sa-Pan-Dum Cafe, a pleasant place to relax with a coffee or a meal while watching trains crossing the bridge. 🚂 Heading home I checked out this morning and I am now onboard early-morning Ordinary No. 252, heading back to Bangkok. Another five hours in 3rd Class! This trip has reinforced something I’ve suspected for a long time. There are some lovely places near Thailand’s smaller railway stations, but finding transport for those final few kilometres can be the biggest challenge. I’ll be bringing everything together on Thai Tracks to help other travellers plan similar journeys. 🔗 thaitracks.com/ Have you used Pran Buri or Wang Phong Station? How did you get to your destination? I’d particularly like to know why so many more trains stop at Wang Phong. #ThailandByRail #ThaiTracks #ThailandByTrain #RailTourism #CyclingThailand #Thailand #รถไฟไทย #ปราณบุรี #วังก์พง