Sungai Kolok to Bangkok by Night Train
The town of Sungai Kolok, located on the border between Thailand and Malaysia, has an excellent train connection to Bangkok.
If you need to travel from Malaysia’s east coast to Thailand, the Sungai Kolok to Bangkok train is a great option to consider.
I’ll show you what you can expect from this train journey from southern Thailand all the way to Bangkok.
The night train to Bangkok at the station of Sungai Kolok. ©AndyBTravels
Getting into Thailand
The Thai railway station of Sungai Kolok is located just a few minutes’ walk from the border crossing with Malaysia at Rantau Panjang.
From the Malaysian city of Kota Bharu, or the town of Kuala Besut (the gateway to the Perhentian and Redang islands), the Rantau Panjang–Sungai Kolok border is only a short bus ride away, although most people find taking a taxi a much easier and surprisingly affordable option.
If you’re taking a train along Malaysia’s famous Jungle Railway (the east coast line), you can get off at Pasir Mas and take a bus or taxi to the Rantau Panjang–Sungai Kolok border.
Sungai Kolok station
Once you’ve entered Thailand, the railway station of Sungai Kolok is just 10 to 15 minutes away on foot from the Thai border post.
It’s a small station with little activity apart from the few departures it sees each day.
There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the immediate vicinity if you want something to eat before departure or to stock up for the journey ahead.
Sungai Kolok railway station sign. ©AndyBTravels
Station master at Sungai Kolok. ©AndyBTravels
About the night train
From Sungai Kolok, you can catch a shuttle train to Hat Yai – the largest city in southern Thailand – or travel directly by night train to Bangkok.
At the time of writing, there are two daily night trains linking Sungai Kolok with Bangkok:
- Train 172, departing Sungai Kolok at 12:10 and arriving at Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat station the following morning at 07:05
- Train 38, departing Sungai Kolok at 14:15 and arriving at Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat station the following morning at 09:05
Of these two departures, train 38 (a special express service) is the more premium option, offering air-conditioned 1st and 2nd class sleepers, as well as 2nd and 3rd class seats, although those are not recommended for overnight travel.
Train 172 only offers 2nd class sleepers, both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned.
Both trains have a restaurant carriage attached – make sure you have Thai baht in cash if you want to use it, as cards are not accepted.
Have a look at the Thai train travel guide on DiscoverByRail for more information about travel classes and rail travel in Thailand.
Berths in a second class sleeper carriage. ©AndyBTravels
Booking tickets
The best website to book trains in Thailand, including tickets for the Sungai Kolok to Bangkok night train, is 12Go.
This reliable booking website can book all Thai trains and is also useful if you need to buy a ticket for a bus or ferry for your Thailand trip.
Note that on some online timetables and booking websites, Sungai Kolok is written as Su-Ngai Kolok, while Bangkok is listed under the name of its main station, Krung Thep Aphiwat.
Conclusion
Two night trains run daily between Sungai Kolok, a town on the Thailand-Malaysia border, and the Thai capital of Bangkok.
These trains are highly convenient for anyone travelling from Malaysia’s east coast to Thailand and are easily the best way to reach Bangkok.
