A train journey from yesteryear
April 7th, 2008 Posted in Out in the country
In many countries the romance of train journeys has been lost. They’re expensive and the experience can be somewhat sanitized. Not so in Thailand. The trains are rickety, a little slow and you can even open the windows. Everyone seems to be having fun and even if your kids are screaming no-one will hear them, as the din is just too loud! What is more, a ticket from Chiang Mai to Lampang is a mere 30 bht (50p, $1).
This will not be everybody’s cup of tea, especially when holiday time is so valuable. However, I would almost guarantee children will love it. It is more Thomas the Tank Engine than British Rail. There are 6 or 7 stops on route to Lampang (a 2 hour journey), all of which would not look out of place on the island of Sodor (Thomas the Tank Engines home). It passes through Doi Khun Tan national park where you can alight. The scenery here is spectacular, with a tunnel and two viaducts helping to traverse the hilly landscape. There are vendors on the train selling cold drinks, snacks, fresh fruit and various local delicacies.
If two hours is too long, and you don’t want to arrange for a lift back from Lampang, then you can stop in Lamphun. This is a pretty little town with lots of ancient temples and hardly any tourists. There is even an excellent play ground for kids near to the moat built by a local politician.
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