(cont. from Page 1)........The engine arrives late at 13.05 but once married with its couches this ancient locomotive heads slowly out of Bang Sue its train hardly full of passengers.
Passage to Prachuap Kiri Khan……..I settle down to this potentially grueling journey but like the journey back from Pattaya earlier I can rest my legs on the seat opposite. Still this sunny day will afford little respite except for the steady airflow from open windows often bringing with it more than just air. At two coaches back exhaust fumes from the engine are often seen drifting through the carriage. From Bang Sue where the line splits to the north and west the train heads across the Chao Phraya River following the route of the Purple Line extension of the BTS (Bangkok Transit System) rail network. New stations are being constructed as far out as Talling Chan allowing passengers for South Thailand to use the rapid transit systems to speed up their journeys south. The journey is generally uneventful. Time passes as I stare out of the window observing activity at the frequent stops at stations and in the compartments themselves as vendors ply their trade offering refreshments mainly of rice or noodles and iced drinks. The passage to Prachuap often gets interrupted as a reminder that all other traffic on the line takes priority. After Talling Chan the line reverts to a single track. The 251 is obliged to wait at station sidings when up-line trains require passage. At one station Pak Tho the 251 is obliged to wait for the Express behind to overtake. Oddly this train 171 was the one I originally intended to travel on. At Khao Thamon station before Cha-Am there are some unusual visitors. A monkey troop has taken up residence enticed by tit bits discharged from carriage windows. An orange sun starts to set over the western hills as the train approaches Cha-Am. Then it’s into Prachuap Kiri Khan province and by the time it reaches Hua Hin dusk approaches. It’s still some way from the provincial capital but at 19.30 the 251 Service terminates. I am informed that if I walk straight out of the station about 15 minutes I will reach the seafront and find accommodation. Strangely there is little in the way of transport waiting at the station. This is certainly no Pattaya or Bangkok as I find the pace of life almost a culture shock.
Suksant Hotel……..I’m soon at the seafront. It’s getting late so I’m prepared to accept the 650 baht for a standard room at a rather imposing hotel on the beach road. It’s rather showing its age and not in the resort category, many parked goods vehicles showing it is used as a stop-over for long distance drivers. I freshen up and venture out for a meal. At a nearby square mobile food vendors offer a variety of foods........(cont. on Page 3)