Free train for the people, so we can travel for free.

On August 1, 2008, a free train service was announced ( http://www.railway.co.th/resultproject/project_6m_... ) to help reduce the cost of living for the people. It is another option for people who want to travel to different provinces, which will save us travel expenses.

As 2016 approached, news emerged that the government planned to abolish the free train service. My partner and I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and embark on a memorable journey by train to Chiang Mai. Inspired by the experiences of others, we booked our tickets at the Hua Lamphong Railway Station. After securing our reservations, we eagerly awaited our departure date of January 19, 2016.

The free train service only runs twice a day. My train departs from Hua Lamphong Station around 2 pm and arrives in Chiang Mai around 5 am (according to the schedule). The journey takes approximately 15 hours. Okay, now I have my ticket and a rough plan for my trip. I just need to wait for the departure date.

Rough Itinerary:

Our rough plan is to sleep on the train for two nights (which means we'll be traveling back and forth), then sleep on Doi Inthanon for two nights, and return to the city for one more night. Our primary mode of transportation in Chiang Mai will be motorcycles. That's the plan.

We decided to camp on Doi Inthanon for two nights to save money on accommodation. We bought a cheap tent during a sale at Big C, along with sleeping bags. We already had warm clothes, so we could spend more money on food. :-)
The journey begins + Life on the train

On the morning of our departure, we were quite excited and worried about forgetting something. However, we didn't forget anything. As the time approached, we took a bus to Hua Lamphong Railway Station. We don't know if it was good luck or bad luck, but the temperature across the country dropped significantly during that time, so much so that even people in Bangkok had to dig out their thick winter clothes to wear.

We arrived at Hua Lamphong Station early, so we decided to grab a bite to eat. When the train arrived, we boarded and found our seats according to the tickets. Our seats were on the right side of the train (as suggested by a review that recommended sitting on the right side to avoid the sun). The seats were upright, but at least they were cushioned. We placed our belongings on the overhead rack. Across from us sat a middle-aged woman and her mother.

As the train departed from the platform, we took photos, admired the scenery, and chatted. We had heard that the food on the train and at the platform was excellent, so we kept an eye on all the vendors passing by. We bought anything that looked delicious, and we ended up spending quite a bit of money, even though we hadn't even reached Chiang Mai yet.

The train stopped at various stations along the way, and since it was a free ride, there were many passengers. Some rode for short distances, while others stayed on for longer journeys. As we passed through Ayutthaya, a large group of hill tribe people boarded the train. Their presence was noticeable, as they had not bathed before boarding, and the smell was quite strong. However, they were friendly and smiled when we took their pictures, even though their teeth were blackened from chewing betel nut. They were selling bracelets that they had woven in their village, but they were now on their way back home, getting off at a station near Lampang.

As the train journey continued and darkness fell, I struck up a conversation with the passenger across from me. He was an airport immigration officer who regularly traveled by free train, sometimes with his girlfriend and sometimes with his mother. We chatted for quite some time, sharing our travel experiences from various destinations. It was a realization that struck me: friendship can truly blossom anywhere, whether it's over drinks or on a free train ride.

As the sun set, the surroundings became shrouded in darkness. The road was mostly unlit, as it did not pass through any towns for a long stretch. The landscape was dominated by forests and rice fields. The temperature dropped significantly, making the air feel even colder. Despite closing the windows, wearing two layers of clothing, and wrapping myself in a blanket, I couldn't escape the biting chill. It was so cold that I couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably. Eventually, I succumbed to the cold and drifted off to sleep.

In Chiang Mai.

After a long and restless journey, we finally arrived in Chiang Mai. The weather was surprisingly cold, even for November. After unloading our luggage, we took a songthaew to Biky motorbike rental near the Arcade Bus Terminal. Our destination was Chom Thong district, where we planned to climb Doi Inthanon. The shop opened at 6:00 AM, but we arrived a little after 5:00 AM. We waited for a while until the shop opened. I rented a manual motorbike, as it was the cheapest option and would make it easier to climb the hills. The rental cost 250 baht per day. As soon as we got the bikes, we set off on our journey.

The ride was the coldest I've ever experienced. I had to wrap a scarf around my mouth to protect myself from the biting wind. It took about an hour to reach Chom Thong, where we stopped at a gas station to refuel and have breakfast. After that, we continued our journey up Inthanon. After riding for a while, the fog became so thick that visibility was reduced to less than five meters. We didn't ride very fast, but the scenery was still beautiful. After about half an hour, the fog suddenly disappeared, revealing bright sunshine. We realized that the fog was actually a cloud. It was amazing! The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun was incredibly strong. I didn't take any pictures during this part of the ride.

We have arrived at our destination, Doi Chaung Ya. According to the map, Doi Chaung Ya is a terraced campsite with enough space for tents on each level. However, we were shocked by the camping fee of 300 baht, even for bringing our own tent. Nevertheless, we decided to go ahead with it. After completing the registration, we set up our small tent, which was barely big enough for us to sleep in (compared to others). We had a lot of luggage, but we managed. After setting up the tent, we explored the surroundings. Next to our accommodation, there was a barbecue restaurant as mentioned in the review. The price was expensive, but we decided to enjoy the atmosphere. A set for two people cost 400 baht. As it was not yet time for dinner, we went sightseeing first. We rode our motorbike to the office to inquire about the route and ask for advice from the staff.

During our visit, the rhododendrons were in full bloom, creating a breathtaking spectacle. While locals informed us that the bloom was less abundant than in previous years, we were still captivated by its beauty. After consulting with park officials, we embarked on a scenic drive. Our first stop was the Slipper Orchid Research Center, a project initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. The center focuses on the research and cultivation of the endemic Phalaenopsis orchid. While orchids were the main attraction, the center also boasts a small lake. We were told that during the peak rhododendron bloom, the pink hues would paint the surrounding forest and reflect in the water, creating a mesmerizing sight. Unfortunately, we missed witnessing this phenomenon.

We then rode back to Siriphum Waterfall, which we had seen from our campsite. It was not far from where we were sleeping. We had to pay an entrance fee of 20 baht per person. We then continued on to the Inthanon Royal Agricultural Station.

As the sun began its descent, casting the winter sky in its customary darkness, we made our way back to our lodgings. The time had come for our evening feast of "moo kata," a Thai-style barbecue. The warm, sizzling meat harmonized perfectly with the cool air, while the illuminated terraced flower gardens provided a breathtaking backdrop. At 400 baht per set, it was an experience that truly exceeded expectations.

After finishing our meal, the chilly air made the thought of taking a shower daunting, even with hot water available. However, having gone over a day without bathing, we steeled ourselves and dashed through the water, completing the task as quickly as possible. The extreme cold and the ineffectiveness of our tent against the cold ultimately led us to a unanimous decision: "This is unbearable." We decided to descend to the city and find lodging for the night. Fortunately, it being a weekday, we were able to easily secure accommodations through Agoda. Exhausted from our journey, we quickly fell asleep. However, the cold was truly intense, forcing us to rent additional blankets. The combination of the cold and the wind was simply too much to bear.

Kew Mae Pan

This morning, we planned to watch the sunrise, but we woke up later than we intended, almost six o'clock. We rushed to the sunrise viewpoint. Fortunately, it was winter, and the sunrise was slow, so we arrived just in time to see the sun rise. We enjoyed the moment and had breakfast with hot porridge and coffee from a nearby shop.

After recharging, we continued our journey to the Mae Pan Nature Trail. The entrance fee is 200 baht per group, and a local guide is required. The trail is a moderately challenging hike through a humid forest with some steep sections. Along the way, there are numerous points of interest, including waterfalls and flowers. Each rest stop has a sign explaining the history of the location.

After finishing our walk, we returned to our car and continued driving uphill. Our next destination was the summit of Doi Inthanon.

After soaking in the atmosphere for a while, we went back to collect our belongings and continued our journey into the city. Riding a motorbike back to the city, we checked into our accommodation first. The accommodation is called Nine Resident, located near Wat Phra Chao Mengrai. This place offers both daily and monthly room rentals. The atmosphere is pleasant, with free coffee and decent rooms.

We finished packing and went to find lunch. We saw that there was a famous Khao Soi restaurant, "Khao Soi Simeo Jai". They had Khao Soi, pork steak, chili paste, and Gaeng Hang Lay. There were many other things as well.

After lunch, with nothing else to do, we rode our motorbikes up to Doi Suthep to pay our respects at the Doi Suthep temple.

After a short walk, it started to get dark, so we rode our bikes back down to the city to find dinner. We went to a market near the university, a very long market with all kinds of things for sale. If you have a weak will, you're sure to spend all your money there. Feeling full, we went back to our room to sleep, exhausted from the day's activities.

Visiting Chiang Mai requires paying respects at temples.

The next morning, we moved our accommodation again. This time, we moved closer to the bus terminal so that we could return the motorbike and get to the train station on time. The accommodation was good and convenient for our travel. After we finished packing, we went out to visit the temple. Since Chiang Mai is an old city, there are temples everywhere. So we opened the map and rode the motorbike according to the map.

Starting at the Chiang Mai City Pillar Shrine

Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan

Translation:

Phra Wihan Ho Kham Luang, Wat Phanta

Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan

The Royal Temple of Ratchamnatheon

Wat Chiang Man

Wat Umong

During the day, we stopped for coffee at a place we had been wanting to try for a long time, Ristr8to lab.

After a day of temple hopping, we headed to the market near the university in the evening. There was a plethora of food options, and we bumped into a friend who joined us for a delicious barbecue. Afterwards, we strolled through the bustling Wualai Walking Street, where we found an array of local crafts, food, and everyday items. We walked until our legs were weary, then returned to our accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

See you again, Chiang Mai.

The Journey Back

On the morning of our departure, I rode my motorbike out of the accommodation to drop my girlfriend and our luggage at the train platform. I then rode back to return the motorbike at the bus terminal and took a shared taxi back to the platform. Soon after, the train departed. Fortunately, it was a weekday, so the train was not crowded. We were able to sit across from each other with no one next to us. We dozed off and woke up intermittently until we arrived in Bangkok around 10:30 pm. We got off at Sam Sen station because it was close to our dormitory and took a taxi back. And that concluded our trip.

Summary of expenses

Round-trip travel to Chiang Mai by free train :-)

Motorcycle rental fee per day = 250 * 3 days = 750

Fuel cost = 300

The cost of pitching a tent at Doi Chaung Ya is 300 baht.

The price of a hotpot meal on Doi Surenya is 400 baht.

Accommodation cost in the city = 600 + 400

I cannot recall the exact amount spent on food, as I tend to eat irregularly.

Note: Originally, there was no plan to refund the second night's room fee, but I really couldn't help it.