Thailand - Guide to help at train station?

Just wanted to get some feedback on how things are at Bangkok's Hualamphong Station for first-timers who do not speak or read Thai. We have the chance to have our driver stay and act as guide until we are boarded onto the train for a small additional fee. Is this a complete waste or will it actually be useful to have a local escort? It's worth noting that this is the kind of thing I have arranged in other countries at busy stations and I have always been glad I did it.

Just wanted to get some feedback on how things are at Bangkok's Hualamphong Station for first-timers who do not speak or read Thai. We have the chance to have our driver stay and act as guide until we are boarded onto the train for a small additional fee. Is this a complete waste or will it actually be useful to have a local escort? It's worth noting that this is the kind of thing I have arranged in other countries at busy stations and I have always been glad I did it.

IIRC, it's been about a year since I took a train our of Hualampong, there is a digi sign above the ticket purchase booths indicating which train is on which track. Aside from that there were uniformed personnel in front of the ticket booths helping foreigners to go to the correct ticket purchase line/track.

The trains themselves are labled in Thai and English.

Its pretty straightforward.

Go pay for your ticket. Goto your indicated train. Like dsquared37 said they speak both english & thai at the counter booths.

You might want your drivers assistance if you have a lot of baggage or if you have other things you need to take care of.

Even then, they have people to help you with baggage for a fee.

This isn't difficult at all. I have a much harder time in Europe figuring that stuff out than at HL Station. It's almost funny when you realize that most of the people taking the trains are foreign backpackers. All the long-distance trains I've taken have been 80% foreigners.

There's a luggage storage place in the back - the guys will try to tell you that your bag costs more than it should - 50-100B/bag depending on its size.

Thanks for all the replies! ^

Will you have previously purchased a ticket? Will you have a lot of bags?

In many cases it may be advisable to purchase a ticket in advance of your travel date(s) especially if you want first or 2nd class/sleepers say to Chiang Mai.

The advanced purchase ticket office is off to the right side if facing the main status board, it is a little hard to find. You can purchase tickets up to 60 days before travel. The ticket windows in the main lobby, under the train status board, are for that day's travel.

Finding the right train/platform is not at all challenging but boarding the train with bags can sometimes be difficult as there are a lot of people jostling onto the train and the aisle is quite narrow. Having someone help with bags might be a good idea.

For trains to the North and Northeast they do also pass through Bang Sue and Don Meuang so in some cases it may be easier to board the train there.

You should expect the train to depart on average 30 - 60 minutes late, and while I wouldn't plan on that for boarding purposes I offer it as more of a way to set expectations. You should also expect the air-con to malfunction ~ 50% of the time, and to arrive at Chiang Mai at least 2 hours later than the schedule. During peak rainy season the tracks do become impassable at many points.

Will you have previously purchased a ticket? Will you have a lot of bags?

In many cases it may be advisable to purchase a ticket in advance of your travel date(s) especially if you want first or 2nd class/sleepers say to Chiang Mai.

The advanced purchase ticket office is off to the right side if facing the main status board, it is a little hard to find. You can purchase tickets up to 60 days before travel. The ticket windows in the main lobby, under the train status board, are for that day's travel.

Finding the right train/platform is not at all challenging but boarding the train with bags can sometimes be difficult as there are a lot of people jostling onto the train and the aisle is quite narrow. Having someone help with bags might be a good idea.

For trains to the North and Northeast they do also pass through Bang Sue and Don Meuang so in some cases it may be easier to board the train there.

You should expect the train to depart on average 30 - 60 minutes late, and while I wouldn't plan on that for boarding purposes I offer it as more of a way to set expectations. You should also expect the air-con to malfunction ~ 50% of the time, and to arrive at Chiang Mai at least 2 hours later than the schedule. During peak rainy season the tracks do become impassable at many points.

Wow, sounds like you are quite the thailand train expert :).

Will you have previously purchased a ticket? Will you have a lot of bags?

In many cases it may be advisable to purchase a ticket in advance of your travel date(s) especially if you want first or 2nd class/sleepers say to Chiang Mai.

The advanced purchase ticket office is off to the right side if facing the main status board, it is a little hard to find. You can purchase tickets up to 60 days before travel. The ticket windows in the main lobby, under the train status board, are for that day's travel.

Finding the right train/platform is not at all challenging but boarding the train with bags can sometimes be difficult as there are a lot of people jostling onto the train and the aisle is quite narrow. Having someone help with bags might be a good idea.

For trains to the North and Northeast they do also pass through Bang Sue and Don Meuang so in some cases it may be easier to board the train there.

You should expect the train to depart on average 30 - 60 minutes late, and while I wouldn't plan on that for boarding purposes I offer it as more of a way to set expectations. You should also expect the air-con to malfunction ~ 50% of the time, and to arrive at Chiang Mai at least 2 hours later than the schedule. During peak rainy season the tracks do become impassable at many points.
Yes -- I have already purchased first class tickets via a travel agency in Bangkok. Sounds like it will be OK either way! thanks.