Thailand - Buying train tix via ThaiRailTicket.com

Passengers can now buy Thai train tickets directly from the Thai Railway via www.ThaiRailTicket.com (http://www.ThaiRailTicket.com) Has anyone had luck with this? My attempts have been unsuccessful. I've called my credit card company twice and they assure me that they aren't blocking the purchase. Does anyone have tips on successfully completing the transaction?

I was tempted to (the Mrs has business in Udon for a bit), but in the end just went to Hua Lamphong station via MRT From Asoke) and completed the transaction. Took less that 30 secs, plus subway time.

Key determinants for me were not having a printer handy and already being in BKK.

That site and capability has gotten positive reviews on Thai Forums; family members/friends have used it successfully, and on some foreign forums.

You can only buy tickets within 60 days of travel.

Perhaps the flooding situation, which has severely disrupted service to the south, north and northeast, is the indirect cause of your challenges?

For example, the current schedule shows many trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but only one or two of those are running daily (and no sleepers, and figure 14+ hours for the trip). BTW, you can purchase tickets for any route at any train station here in Thailand.

Which route/train no. are you looking to purchase? For which travel date(s)?

Perhaps the train is not actually running so the ticketing system fails to complete the transaction?

BTW, you can purchase tickets for any route at any train station here in Thailand.

Most of the train stations are computerized which enable you to do as you say. However there are still some that do not and will only issue tickets for same day of travel, depending on availability.

That site and capability has gotten positive reviews on Thai Forums; family members/friends have used it successfully, and on some foreign forums.

You can only buy tickets within 60 days of travel.

Perhaps the flooding situation, which has severely disrupted service to the south, north and northeast, is the indirect cause of your challenges?

For example, the current schedule shows many trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, but only one or two of those are running daily (and no sleepers, and figure 14+ hours for the trip). BTW, you can purchase tickets for any route at any train station here in Thailand.

Which route/train no. are you looking to purchase? For which travel date(s)?

Perhaps the train is not actually running so the ticketing system fails to complete the transaction?

Ah, that explains the apparent lack of functionality. In doing a dummy booking I was only given the option of a seat (no sleeper) and there were no northeastern line trains either.

Used it for my recent trip from Trang to Nakhon Pathom - it worked fine (except that my first two cards were declined - only the third one worked). Also, the system doesn't work between 11pm and 1am Bangkok time if I remember right.

My train was eventually canceled due to the flood, got a cash refund at the station.

Just a quick report back. It took nearly two dozen attempts over the course of 10 days, but I was finally able to use the website to purchase a ticket. No idea why it didn't work the first 23 times.

Hi! I have also tried to book tickets online, it seemingly accepted my credit card, but i have never received any confirmation and the money has not been withdrawn - do you think it would be safe to try again? And do not want to end paying more tickets than I need :)

As advised by The Man is Seat 61 (http://www.seat61.com) I just bought tickets from http://www.thailandtrainticket.com/. I received an order acknowledgement almost immediately and paid with AMEX through a third party.

I supplied some additional info about ticket pick up to which they also replied to promptly. Have not received my definite order confirmation yet as the money are in transit but will update this when I do. Looks good so far.