Originally Posted by
YVR Cockroach
I wonder if it is because the new schedule wasn't on there?
Well, it is popular and only 2 carriages so maybe the 2nd class sleepers were sold out?
Please do. It's showing not available for the next couple of weeks online due, probably sold out due to the holiday season but becomes available again in the new year.
Did you travel in the 1st class coach? How are the sleepers in those? One thing I noticed it windows are small but most of the ride will be in darkness.
I think 37/45 was the last of the trains suspended due to COVID especially with the Thailand/Malaysia border more or less closed in parts of 2020-2021.
I stopped by Hua Lampong and asked at the information counter about the new timetable today. They confirmed that it did indeed change and sort of agreed that the website wasn't the best when it came to the latest information, and there were no paper timetables either. But she did offer to look up trains for me and showed me her screen with the trains, and I did take a picture of the current Bangkok - Hat Yai trains:
Of course there could be further changes as well. Train 41 seems like a new addition to the timetable that isn't operating yet.
As far as I can tell the Hat Yai - Padang Besar times are as follows:
45: continuing from Bangkok,
depart 07:20 => Padang Besar 08:05 (09:05 Malaysia time)
947: Hat Yai Junction 8:55 => Padang Besar 9:40 (10:40 Malaysia time)
949: Hat Yai Junction 14:00 => Padang Besar 14:45 (15:45 Malaysia time)
The train I took, 31, only has 2nd class sleepers with the very new cars, and I don't know if any of the other southern line trains use these cars now. The windows are large, clean, and unscratched unlike the older sleeper trains, and the seats and beds are very clean and comfortable. I didn't take many pictures but this should give you an idea:
If you do end up taking 947 or 949, it is 3rd class seats only. Not nearly as comfortable of course and no AC, but perfectly fine for the 45 minute ride:
