Passengers prepare to
board the train at Pattaya Station off Siam Country Club Road.
Vittaya Yoondorn
While highways linking Bangkok and Pattaya may be
clear of flood water, the steady flow of people fleeing the capital has
made traffic so bad, it’s now faster to take the train.
Historically shunned because of its relatively slow
speed, the Hua-Lampong to Pattaya train has seen a surge in both
passenger and freight traffic as floodwaters have inundated Bangkok.
Since the service is free for Thais, and has been
free for almost two years now under a government program to assist low
income people, and only 31 baht for non-Thais, it’s become increasingly
popular given the reasons stated above.
Pattaya station master Manas Lekkhuna said tourists
are also discovering the route, which makes stops at Plutaluang,
Sattahip, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden and the Pattaya Floating Market.
A sign put up in the station announces “From Bkk 6.55
hr reach Pattaya 10.35 hr. From Pattaya 14.21 hr reach Bkk 18.25 hr.”
Mechanic Jamrieng Kaewthong said the train has also
become a primary way to ship donations of flood relief packages and
consumer goods to the flooded capital.
