Originally Posted by ColoBill1

special express train no.1 leaving ayutthaya at 7:21pm , arriving chiang mai at 7:15am.

It's been a while, but my best buddy and I took this ovenight train to Chiang Mai some years back. It remains as one of my most memorable travel experiences. Think we booked tickets through a travel agency once we arrived in BKK.

It's stretching it calling this an "express" train, as it made quite a number of stops during the 13-hour journey. From what I recall, it was a narrow gauge train, so it swayed from side to side and went "clickety-clack" all the way to Chiang Mai.

The first class car was the last one of the train. After getting on the train, my buddy and I mixed ourselves a rum and coke, and set about to meet our car mates. Was a pretty friendly atmosphere. We were able to order dinner and breakfast to be delivered. Not a lot of food, but hit the spot.

Our 4.5 feet by 7 feet first class cabin had a small wash basin and barely enough room to accommodate us and our three pieces of luggage. The restrooms were located at the back of the same car. Do plan to sleep in the top bunk, it's cooler than below, as the air conditioning comes out of the ceilng.

Our train arrived almost an hour late.