
Surat Thani train station
So we finally make it to Surat Thani train station to catch our overnight train to Bangkok. While the drive from Krabi to Surat Thani is about 2.5 hours, we spent almost the whole day just to get to the train station!
We arrive at the Surat Thani train station and scan the crowds; hmm, looks like we are the only foreigners. We double check with the counter and find out that our 6 pm train actually leaves at 6:30! Add another thirty minutes to our three-hour wait!

More than three hours to kill at this station… Jeebus!
We confirm our seats on the train and start to find ways to kill time at the station. There isn’t much to do at this station.
I sit and do my favourite hobby; people watching. This train station has a local feel, and it seems like few foreigners come to this area. The reasonable prices at the food vendors and lack of touts seem to support my theory.

Not many foreigners at this train station
While the Thais in Phuket and Krabi assume we are tourists, I blend in with everyone else at the station. In fact, a Thai lady speaks to me for a good minute before thinking I must be deaf because I don’t know how to respond. I think she was telling me how good her soup tasted because she was eating noodle soup. I think. I’ll never know the truth now.
I realize as long as I don’t open my mouth, I blend in like a chameleon at this station.
It’s cool to see Thai people interacting with each other. Mothers will be mothers, being overprotective of their young ones and swinging them in the air to entertain them. A couple carries their husky puppy in a baby-like manner around the train, and a monk looks for a quiet place in the shade.

Awww! Look at the baby husky! The Thais love their dogs like it’s their baby
On the other side of the tracks, we see a group huddled over one girl’s hair. They’re either pulling out her white hair (very common in Asia).

And so we wait, and we wait… and we wait…

There isn’t much going on at this station…

That looks like food waiting to be transported to Bangkok
The three hours went by fast, but slow at the same time. Slow because I was suffering from stomach pains and could barely eat my pear because I burned my stomach in Phuket (I better be losing weight at least!). But fast because 6:30 pm came by, and it was suddenly time to board the train.

I might be smiling but I’m actually dying inside of stomach pains
We’ve been looking forward to this train ride because it’s a way to experience more of Thailand’s culture. Plus, the overnight train means we don’t have to worry about finding accommodation! It’s a two-for-one special, as my math teacher used to say.
Buying tickets at the Surat Thani train station
While you can purchase the tickets at the station, we bought our tickets online. You can also buy the tickets at 12.go Asia, which is another hassle-free way to get your tickets.
Can you store your belongings at the Surat Thani train station?
This station doesn’t look like there’s a storage area for you to leave your belongings.
Can you find food at the Surat Thani train station?
There are quite a few food options, although I couldn’t eat anything. Life sucks when you can’t eat!
What are the facilities like at the Surat Thani train station

Clean bathrooms for three baht at the station. Somehow, Gary accidently went to the women’s bathroom! The Thais were shocked, but laughed at the same time.
The toilets are clean, although there is a three baht charge. You can also buy toilet paper since the three baht does not include paper.