Thoughts on Thai Sleeper Trains

Ok, second time around.  Train arrived in Udon late, but teh train in front had not left, so we ended up 30 minutes late departing Udon.

After the first trip I knew to stock up and eat before the train.  As expected they came round with the menu.  Dinner was 180/190Baht which is not to bad, but better off eating first as it's a 1920 departure.  I was then offered Breakfast on the back of the card.  No mention of price on the menu.  I asked, 130Baht for things like three sandwiches.  It confirmed my intention to have something to eat at Bangkok Station.  Rather have a cappuccino and croissant at Black Canyon for 105Baht.

As expected we were two hours late arriving in Bangkok.  8.30 not 6.30.  As my flight wasn't until 1500 that was almost a benefit.

Sleeper to Bangkok tonight at 1920.

Udon 1 - Ubon 0

Udon's run of results continued yestrerday with a 1-0 victory over Ubon which put them 1 point clear at the top of the table.  Next up Macrh 31st away to Mahasarakam

Thai Travel News

BANGKOK, 23 March 2012: High fuel costs have forced Thai Airways International to replace its nonstop service to Los Angeles with service routed via Seoul, beginning 1 May.

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BANGKOK, 23 March 2012: From 1 April, Air France will lift capacity to Singapore by around 30% replacing three B777-300ER flights with its double-decker A380.
At the same time it is making dramatic cuts to its Paris-Bangkok route from daily services to three a week effective, 25 March, while the flight extension to Phnom Penh will be delinked from Bangkok and connected to its direct Paris service to Ho Chi Minh City.

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Travels Again

Off to KL on Tuesday.  Overnight sleeper train to Bangkok then an afternoon flight to KL with Lufthansa.  Cost me less than if I used my Thai miles for a reward ticket.  Go figure.

Just booked for a trip at the end of April - need a new passport and visa.  Flying Air India via Bombay outbound and Dehli inbound.  Everyone else was at least 150 quid more expensive!  What's the bet they all come out with special offers tomorrow.

Udon Thani FC

Another draw, this time against Si Sa Ket and Udon remain top of their league, one point clear.  Next up is Ubon on the 25th.  A home game so let's hope for a home win.

In The Thai News

Chaleo Yoovidhya, the founder of the renowned energy drink Red Bull, or Krating Daeng in Thai, and one of the nation's richest men, died at Chulalongkorn Hospital yesterday. He was 89.

More from the Bangkok Post

Bid to beat immigration queues

BANGKOK, 16 March 2012: In an attempt to temporarily solve congested immigration queues, Airports of Thailand will underwrite the cost of assigning more officers in Immigration Division II to fully man counters during peak hours.
Immigration officials have repeatedly complained that they lack the budget to assign staff to all the counters and many officers are taking leave or examinations to gain promotions.

Read more at Bid to beat immigration queues

Nok Air offers come-back incentive

BANGKOK, 15 March 2012: Nok Air will kick off a Bt1,000 one-way promotion tomorrow for the members. It will be available for general customers from 19 March.
Eligible for all destinations, the booking period will end 27 March, while the fares are good for travel between 1 May and 30 September.
Also, yesterday it launched a midnight sales promotion for travel on routes from Bangkok and Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai as well as its secondary route Chiang Mai- Mae Hong Son.
The fare is Bt1,199 per sector, all-in and are available for bookings online from 2300 to 0800 until 20 March. The travel period is from 17 March to 30 April (three days advance bookings).
Visit www.nokfanclub.com and www.nokair.com

from TTR Weekly

New Blog Link Added

Thailand ebooks news

Ebooks from Thailand and Asia

Udon Thani FC

Udon Thani managed a draw yesterday and remain top of their division on goal difference from Roi Et with 10 points from 4 games

Thailand Stories

Thailandstories.com is a site devoted to stories and articles about the beautiful Kingdom of Thailand. We are dedicated to presenting quality content of interest to those readers who are fascinated by and attracted to the Land of Smiles and all the myriad topics, including 'mature' themes, written about it.

http://thailandstories.com

New Blog Link

Justed added a new link to Thai Diamond Books Blog.  It's run by a friend who is on the point of publishing his first book.

http://thaidiamondbooks.blogspot.com/

Also a great source of information about books on SE Asia

Sorting Todays Recyclable collection

Should be worth a few hundred baht

New Central Plaza - Udon Thani

soft opening on 27 March and grand opening in 26 April 2012

Udon Thani FC

They are currently first in The Thai Second Division, North eastern with 9 points after three matches!  Xext match on March 11th at 5pm at home to Chayaphum F.C

By train, actually three trains.  First leg Udon to Bangkok.  Second Bangkok to Butterworth after a 6 hour stay in Bangkok.  The nightmare stay of 8 hours in Butterworth on a wet Sunday afternoon before teh Butterworth to KL sleeper.