The Train Trip to Ayutthaya
25 July 2011.
We wake up early to a gloomy morning on the second day. After some simple breakfast, we hail a cab outside the hostel and ask for the Southern Bus Terminal. The taxi driver nod and let us come in. The plan is to visit the floating market, but only after a few hundred meters away we realized that the driver doesn’t even know where he’s going neither does he understand what we are saying. We ask him to stop before it’s getting too far, but he simply refuses to let us; his first passengers slip away. He stops here and there, asking for direction and I already getting on my nerves. The clock is ticking; it requires about 2 hours drive to the floating market, it is already 8.00am and the market will close at noon – but the southern bus terminal is no where to be seen. At last, he stops in front of a travel agent company and I realized we have been trapped in a scam. I’ve heard and read about it so much before coming here and yet unable to avoid it. It really irritates me. When he finally opens the door to the travel agent company, we pay him a few Bhat, simply walk away and sternly say “No”.
Walking fast to avoid them following and pestering us, we are brought back to the familiar neighborhood. After discussing with DH, hesitantly we flag another cab as the Southern Bus Terminal is on Bangkok outskirts and unreachable by MRT/BTS. This time, thank god we get a decent driver but unfortunately we are caught off with Bangkok’s maddening traffic. Seeing that there is no way we could reach the bus terminal in time and risk losing the whole day jaunt, we change our plan and ask the driver to divert to the Hua Lamphong station instead. Floating market will have to wait for another day.
The colonial accents of the Hua Lamphong station façade that stands through time, since as early as 1916.
The station is in the midst of repair; some workers are taking time off before starting their work.
In one corner of the station…
Inside Bangkok main railway station.
It is almost 8.30am when we reach there. There is actually train going to Ayutthaya at 8.35am, but we don’t want to hurry. Enough panicking for one day.
Our class three ticket to Ayutthaya. Bhat15 each and that is considered conveniently cheap for a 2 hours ride.
DH relaxing while waiting for our train to depart at 9.25am. One hour should be enough for me, photo hunting as usual.
Right you mean? Or is it a service for left out baggage? Or a service that allows you to leave your baggage? I’m confused.
Another angle of Hua Lamphong.
Passengers waiting for their train, I guess. Treat yourself like you are in your own home.
Train at platform nine and three quarter. Oops sorry, platform 321. Too much Harry Potter.
It’s pouring outside, but I just love the effect it made on this chug.
Bangkok terminal.
The train departs from platform 8 at 9.45am, 20 minutes delayed. It is still raining outside. Hope the weather change when we reach Ayutthaya, 85km away.
The train bypass Thai slums, and we get a glimpse of the life.
10 minutes on board, and DH has already succumbed to his usual activity on any transport.
I am actually trying to photograph the feel of the train when suddenly these officers decided to get into the act and add the flavors.
An old coach transmogrified into kids library. A very good waste management.
A typical scene at one of the stops.
A call for food is common at every station, and some of the peddlers are even on board. It is almost noon and we feel a bit hungry, but most of the food is inedible. Hygienic is a question, and halal is another factor. We ended up buying fruits to curb our hunger. This one only cost us BHT10 and we get the whole chunk of it.
The journey took us pass nondescript villages and stations, and we are quite anxious of where we should disembark. It is hot and I’m getting heavy eyed but think the better of it. We would not rather wake up somewhere else. I timidly asked the Thai lady that sits beside me in broken English, with no hope that she’ll understand me. Who would understand English in the suburb where very few understand me in Bangkok?
“Is Ayutthaya in front? You tell me when reach Ayutthaya?” I asked with my hand waving around, illustrating my query in case she could not grab it. To my surprise, she understands and answers in plain English. “Yes, Ayutthaya is in front. I will tell you”. A sprang of my spirit, that is!
The lady hints us when we are about to hit the station and I thanked her for her kindness. We quickly grab our stuffs and get off the train when it stops. Welcome Ayutthaya!
Ayutthaya at last!
>>Next: Ayutthaya, the Kingdom of Old Siam.
