Bangkok-Pattaya special train makes debut

Media members board the Bangkok-Ban Phlu Ta Luang traveler train as it reaches Pattaya station on Saturday following its inaugural go to the beach town. (Picture by Chaiyot Pupattanapong)

PATTAYA: An unique traveler train from Bangkok to Pattaya and Sattahip made its launching on Saturday, with services prepared every weekend for the next 6 months to stimulate tourist in the eastern area.

Journeys in air-conditioned carriages to Pattaya station and Restriction Phlu Ta Luang station in Sattahip will be used every Saturday and Sunday up until Sept 30. They will leave Bangkok early in the early morning and return in late afternoon.

The inaugural service showed up on Saturday at Pattaya station at 9.10 am. On hand to invite it were executives from the State Train of Thailand (SRT), Pattaya town, the Chon Buri Tourist Association and a team of media members.

The train later on left for Talad Nam 4 Pak Pattaya station (Pattaya drifting market), where the official inauguration event was held, with numerous Thai and foreign travelers searching.

Anont Luengboribun, a Transportation Ministry inspector-general and the acting SRT guv, stated operators in Chon Buri would offer transportation services from Pattaya station to other traveler destinations in Chon Buri.

The unique train will leave Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok every Saturday and Sunday at 6.45 am, showing up in Pattaya at 9.13 am and reaching Restriction Phlu Ta Luang in Sattahip at 9.50 am. The return journey leaves Restriction Phlu Ta Luang at 3.50 pm, reaching Pattaya at 4.26 pm and showing up in Bangkok at 6.25 pm.

Fares from Bangkok to Pattaya and the last location are 170 baht and appointments are suggested, according to the SRT. Seats can be reserved through the SRT hotline at 1690 all the time.

SRT deputy guv Thanongsak Pongprasert stated the company would examine the services and if they show popular, it might increase frequencies or include more carriages.