Nostalgia & History > Bangkok station for Depot Friday

For Depot Friday, here we see Bangkok's Hua Lamphong station. A very busy place. Train shed not only covers the tracks but also the main waiting area. Of course like all public buildings in Thailand, a picture of the King graces the front.

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Took several trains out of there in 1989, including "Expres Antarabangsa" (Malay name) to Butterworth, Malaysia. The Thai equipment ran through to Butterworth, although the on-board crew got off at Nam Tok (with the dirty linens from sleepers and diners). Train consisted of one tired first-class car (empty), and some nice second class A/C Hitachi stainless steel open-section sleepers (in which I had a lower berth), a non-AC diner, and coaches. Our sleeper attendant brought around bottled water, and at dinner time fetched food from the diner and set up a table in my section. Dinner was chili-garlic prawns, bok choy, and fried rice, and a large Thai Singha beer (for, as I recall, $4). Don't try that on Amtrak! It was delicious.

I don't remember what I had for breakfast, but something was served in the diner (probably congee). Had a nice fast ride down through Malaysia after clearing customs at Hat Yai (everybody had to get off).