Richard Barrow

Enjoying some live music on the railway viaduct over the Pasak Chonlasit reservoir. This was part of the SRT Royal Blossom one-day trip. We are now coming to the end of the “floating train” season. This will resume again in November. #RoyalBlossom #RailTourism #Thailand

🚆 Bangkok to Singapore by Train: My 5-Train Southeast Asia Rail Adventure I just completed an overland journey across Thailand and Malaysia entirely by train. It took five trains over six days, with stops in Hat Yai, Padang Besar, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru — and finally into Singapore. I came here to pick up my brother and sister-in-law who flew in from the UK. We are now going to go to Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang by train from Singapore over the next few weeks. Here’s a quick overview of each leg of my journey to Singapore, plus links to my full reviews with all the details: border tips, seat advice, station guides, and what to expect onboard. 🚂 Step 1: Bangkok to Hat Yai Train: Special Express No. 983 Date: 1 January 2026 Time: 19:30 – 11:10 (+1 day) Duration: 14h 40m Fare: 943 THB (~$29.86 USD) Class: Sleeper (Lower Berth) I kicked off the journey on SRT’s refurbished JR West Day & Night Sleeper carriages, originally from Japan. These are occasionally added to peak-period long-distance services, like this one from Bangkok to Yala. An alternative train is Special Express No. 31 which runs daily. 📖 Full review here: facebook.com/share/p/1CsBGy… 🚉 Step 2: Hat Yai to Padang Besar (Border Crossing) Train: Special Express No. 45 Date: 5 January 2026 Time: 07:20 – 08:05 Duration: 45 mins Fare: 50 THB (~$1.58 USD) Class: 3rd Class Seated This short but crucial leg crosses the Thailand–Malaysia border. I took Special Express 45, which starts in Bangkok and continues through to Padang Besar with 3rd Class carriages added at Hat Yai where I boarded. 📖 Full review here: facebook.com/share/p/1829m1… 🚄 Step 3: Padang Besar to Kuala Lumpur Train: KTM Platinum 9273 (Class 93 EMU) Date: 5 January 2026 Time: 11:05 – 16:30 Duration: 5h 25m Fare: RM139 (~$34.26 USD) Class: Standard Class After clearing immigration, I boarded KTM’s Class 93 Platinum service — one of the fastest metre-gauge trains in Southeast Asia. This sleek, modern train was a smooth ride to KL Sentral, with plenty of legroom, USB charging, and a bistro car for snacks. There’s also now a daily service all the way to Johor Bahru on the border with Singapore. 📖 Full review here: facebook.com/share/p/17pogy… 🚄 Step 4: Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru Train: ETS3 Platinum 9523 Date: 6 January 2026 Time: 07:55 – 12:15 Duration: 4h 20m Fare: RM93 (~$22.92 USD) Class: Standard Class This was my first ride on the brand-new ETS3 Platinum trains. These are next-gen electric sets with upgraded interiors, improved charging points, and a smooth, quiet ride. Seats all face forward, which is a big win. 📖 Full review here: facebook.com/share/p/1CGa6o… 🚉 Step 5: Johor Bahru to Singapore Train: Shuttle Tebrau 79 Date: 7 January 2026 Time: 12:45 – 12:50 Duration: 5 minutes Fare: RM5 (~$1.23 USD) Final stretch: the Shuttle Tebrau, a 5-minute border hop into Singapore. Once you clear Malaysian immigration at JB Sentral, the train takes you directly into Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore for their immigration. 📖 Full review here: facebook.com/share/p/1BzXcc… Got questions? Drop them below 👇or in the Asian Train Guide Facebook group. #AsiaByTrain #BangkokToSingapore #TrainTravel #CrossBorderAdventure #ThailandRail #KTMTrain #SRTThailand #ShuttleTebrau #ExploreByRail #OverlandJourney #BackpackersChoice

As I am passing through three different countries on my international rail trip, I thought I would make a post about submitting the online digital arrival card. This is for Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. They all work in much the same way. You must submit within the three days before reaching each country. And very importantly, they are all free, and so don’t get scammed at one of the fake websites. Only use these official links below. 🇲🇾 MALAYSIA: imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main?regi… 🇸🇬 SINGAPORE: ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-… 🇹🇭 THAILAND: tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card I’m already in Singapore now. I just did my one for Malaysia as I’m going there this afternoon by train. Then next week, I will need to do one for Thailand. Sadly the one for Laos is still on paper and so I must remember to take a pen. #DigitalArrivalCard #Malaysia #Singapore #Thailand

I'm back with a history of Bangkok's creepiest and most loved Airport... youtu.be/-dTxygT4jgg?si…

🚂🇹🇭 My view from the balcony on The Blue Jasmine as the train passed through Uttaradit province at sunset last night. #TheBlueJasmine #BlueJasmine #SRTPrestige #RailTourism #Thailand

I’m excited to have been invited to go on the maiden voyage of the Blue Jasmine train next week to Northern Thailand. This is a new premium experience for travellers in Thailand and an important milestone for rail tourism in the kingdom. You can follow my journey on X and Facebook at @ThaiTrainGuide. #TheBlueJasmine #SRTPrestige #RailTourism #Thailand

Nong Koon interviewed a tourist from the UK who visited our school. Nong Koon is in our YouTuber training program and has a regular chat show. 👉 Watch: youtu.be/1Y8dMbyej9o?si…

We were pleased to have another foreign tourist to visit our school this week. This gives our students a chance to interact in English with someone who is not their teacher. It shows them that their English doesn’t have to be perfect to successfully communicate. Please fill out this form if you’re interested in visiting our Thai school: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

🚂 The Floating Train on Pasak Chonlasit Reservoir. For the latest updates about paid train tours in Thailand, join Thailand Rail Tours Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/thailan… #RoyalBlossom #RailTourism #Thailand

Yesterday I had two train trips. On the way back from the #RailRidersClub trip I jumped trains to join Wow Catering’s charter trip for their highlight of stopping on the railway viaduct to enjoy the sunset. The tour operator kindly let me hitch a lift with them. Make sure you join my “Thailand Rail Tours” Facebook group if you want information on all upcoming excursions. This is the only place that promotes rail tours in English. Rail Tourism in Thailand is now starting to get very big which is excellent news. Hopefully the Tourism Authority of Thailand will soon help me promote this eco friendly form of travel that takes people to second tier destinations. Most of TAT’s promotion for foreign tourists is centered on Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai. They should help share the tourist dollars with local communities instead! That is more sustainable than their present policy for foreign tourists. Yes, it is true TAT does promote second tier destinations but only in Thai language and so only Thai domestic tourists can benefit. We need to change that habit. Foreign tourists want a local experience too! The majority of my daily posts on the “Richard Barrow in Thailand” Facebook page are translations of Thai language posts on TAT Facebook pages.

Yesterday, I took some members of my #RailRidersClub on a tag along trip to Khok Salung to experience the “floating train”. At this time of the year, the water in Pasak Chonlasit reservoir is at its highest level, so when you cross the railway viaducts you can only see water on both sides of the train. This gives the impression you are floating on water. We crossed three out of four viaducts and then after getting off at Khok Salung, we walked about ten minutes to the lookout for the fourth viaduct. Here we were able to get some video of a local train crossing the viaduct. I flew my drone and I will post those pictures later on @ThaiTrainGuide. We went there on Express No. 75 and came back on No. 76. (Though on the way back, I jumped trains and hitched a lift on the Royal Blossom train. I will share those photos later.) News of all upcoming club trips are posted in our Facebook group of the same name. I try to organize these free tag along trips once a month. Dates are confirmed 30 days in advance. #FloatingTrain #RailTourism #Thailand

Good morning from the Royal Blossom train! My home away from home. Today we are heading to Pasak Chonlasit reservoir. #RoyalBlossom #RailTourism #Thailand

@Mr_Mickles75 Strange, where I live the majority are wearing black or white.

@RichardBarrow I have seen very few wearing black, and everything is business as usual.

⚫️ Many Thais will likely wear black, grey, white or other subdued colours for at least the next 30-90 days. Many expats will also choose to dress this way out of respect for their Thai friends and colleagues, though in most cases it’s not compulsory — it’s entirely a personal choice. Tourists are definitely NOT expected to wear black. However, if you don’t have muted colored clothing, wearing a small black ribbon on your shirt is a simple way to show respect. These should be widely available for sale. You may even be able to pick up free ones at the airport. Entertainment venues remain open as usual, and all tourist attractions continue to operate normally apart from the Grand Palace. Most events will still go ahead, though some may cancel certain elements over the next 30 days. Loy Krathong festivities in November are not cancelled but it will be more of a traditional event with no fireworks, concerts or beauty shows. I’ll post updates here as I receive them. You can also follow me on my ‘Richard Barrow in Thailand’ Facebook page. #Thailand

⚫️ The Ministry of Education sent out these guidelines for government schools. Private schools and international schools will receive their own set of rules. If you work in a school, please let me know in the comments how long you are told to wear black. Don’t forget to say what kind of school. 🕯 Ministry of Education Announcement Re: The Passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother Effective 25 October 2025 1. All educational institutions are to fly the national flag at half-mast for 30 days. 2. Teachers and education personnel are to observe mourning for one year. 3. Schools should refrain from organising festive or celebratory events during this period. 4. Schools are encouraged to publish tributes honouring Her Majesty The Queen Mother on their official websites and to hold appropriate remembrance activities. 📌 Note: In Thailand, “observing mourning” usually means dressing in black, white, or other muted colours as a sign of respect. So this is up to interpretation by the school. 🕊 Additional Guidelines Schools are asked to show respect by following these practices: 1. Cancel or postpone entertainment or celebratory events, such as parties, concerts, or performances, especially those with a lively atmosphere. 2. Normal teaching and learning activities may continue as usual. Educational and development programmes for students and staff can still be held. 3. For any activities that proceed, schools should adjust the tone to ensure a peaceful, respectful, and solemn atmosphere appropriate to the mourning period. #Thailand

⚫️ Pattaya’s Mayor prepares to revise International Fireworks Festival programme On 28–29 November 2025, Pattaya will host the annual Pattaya International Fireworks Festival. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet (nicknamed “Beer”) will convene a meeting with all relevant agencies on Monday 27 October 2025 to review and adjust the event schedule and format.  Key elements under discussion include: 1. Before the fireworks show begins, spectators will stand in silence for one‑minute as a mark of respect and mourning for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, on the occasion of her passing. 2. The opening fireworks display will be dedicated to Her Majesty’s passing, using dignified tones and subdued colour schemes as a tribute to her gracious legacy. 3. Over the two days, an international fireworks competition will unfold, with five countries participating. 4. A symphony orchestra will perform His Majesty’s compositions and the royal anthem, accompanied by a visual display of Her Majesty’s royal duties and philanthropic works. 5. An exhibition zone will highlight the major and minor royal initiatives carried out by Her Majesty — both in her capacity as Queen of Thailand and as consort to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej — inviting attendees to join in paying formal tribute. 6. Attendees are asked to wear attire in understated, cohesive tones; flashy or garish clothing is discouraged. 7. Food and beverage vendors will be required to register in early November 2025. #Thailand #PattayaFireworksFestival

⚫️ UPDATE: Sukhothai Light & Sound 2025 to Proceed as Planned The organizers of the Sukhothai Light & Sound 2025 event have officially confirmed that this year’s performances will continue as scheduled, despite recent announcements. In a message to all prospective attendees, the organizers stated that the popular Light & Sound show will be held as usual, and preparations are well underway. The performances will take place from 27 October to 5 November 2025, at the historic Sukhothai Historical Park. Visitors can expect the same spectacular blend of lights, music, and storytelling that brings the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai to life each year. #Thailand #Sukhothai #LoyKrathong

⚫️ Grand Palace Closure Announcement for Royal Funeral Rites The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced the temporary closure of the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha from 26 October to 8 November 2025. The closure is due to royal ceremonies being held in honor of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother, as part of the royal merit-making and funeral rites. — Source: Bureau of the Royal Household, #Thailand

🇹🇭🇲🇾 🚂 Good morning from Hat Yai. My “short holiday” in Thailand is coming to an end. I’m about to board the #MySawasdee international express for my trip back to Kuala Lumpur where I started on Friday night. We had two nights and two full days here in Hat Yai. From KL I will continue south to the boarder with Singapore where I will board a sleeper train to head up the East Coast line to Tumpat on the border with Thailand. I will cross back over into Thailand (again) on Wednesday. This time I will use the border checkpoint at Sungai Kolok. I shot a video tour of this train this morning before everyone boarded. I will upload this later, together with a review, to Asian Train Guide Facebook group. #AsianTrainGuide #AsiaByRail #DiscoverAsiaByRail #RailTourism #Malaysia #Thailand

🇹🇭 Welcome to #Thailand! I just arrived at Hat Yai Junction on the #MySawasdee international express. I’ve now switched to a Thai train and heading to Yala in the Deep South for some lunch. I will do a brief stop at Thepa Station for their famous chicken green curry. Train moves today: 🚂 Rapid No. 169 📍Hat Yai to Thepha ⏰ 09:28-10:20 🚂 Local No. 451 📍Thepha to Yala ⏰ 11:17-12:18 🚂 Rapid No. 172 📍Yala to Hat Yai ⏰ 14:00-15:45 #AsianTrainGuide #AsiaByRail #DiscoverAsiaByRail #RailTourism