Be careful before boarding on a train, make sure it is yours, it may be the exact time of your train departure but the train is not yours. Train punctuality is quite relative in Thailand. At all train stations of the cities frequented by tourists, you have a Tourist Police or the TAT (Tourism Authority Thailand ) desk which will inform you. Otherwise, ask the other passengers if the train goes where you want to go. You can show them your ticket or try to talk to them in Thai. For instance rod faï nee paï tee Chiang Mai maï khrap means Does this train go to Chiang Mai ?. Remplace khrap by kha if you are a woman and Chiang Mai with the name of the city you want go to. Note that it is not usually necessary to book your tarain tickets in advance except for the night trains and Super Express trains. You can not go anywhere by train in Thailand. Phuket, for instance, although it is a major tourist destination has no railway station.
The atmosphere of night trains in Thailand with their nightclub car is truly amazing ! It is often a memorable trip though you can't enjoy the landscape when it's dark of course. It is best to book your sleepers in advance at the station or via websites like 12go.asia.
If you prefer to organize your trip in advance, you can book your train tickets to travel in Thailand ahead. You can book online on the website 12go that we tested and validated. Advance booking is especially recommended for sleepers in night trains but can also be good for some super express trains.