Tips on go to Hualamphong Station (Krungthep).

Bangkok - Hualamphong Station (Krungthep) - Bangkok's Main Railway Station, Hua Lamphong Train
Station, is a huge, extremely busy, steaming hot, hanger-like building with over 20 platforms, 26 ticket booths, an Advance-Booking Office, the usual distorted announcements, and two electric display boards. Hua-lumpong Station is in the center of the city with easy access to Chinatown, the Chao phraya River, Silom and Sukhumvit areas so you can save on taxi fares and travelling time. Hualamphong Station is on Rama 4 Road, 1 km West of Silom in the Pathum Wan district. Platforms in the station are crowded with luggage carts, piles of boxes and baggage, arriving and departing passengers, pushcart vendors, and various platfrom residents (dogs, cats, and beggars). The platforms inside Bangkok's Hualamphong Rail Station resemble an 'obstacle-course'.

Tickets for trains leaving the same or next day can be bought on the counters under the red/orange/green screens. For the Advance Booking Office, walk back towards the platforms from the main entrance, and you should see the 'Advance Booking' sign on the far right. Hualamphong's Advance-Booking Office is quite well-organised. When you enter, take a numbered ticket from the machine and wait for your number to appear on the monitor. There may be a long line, so allow time to wait. There is a train plan posted, so you can select your own seat/berth when you book a ticket. You can pay by cash or by credit card. Reservations are computerized, and your ticket will have the train time and seat / berth number printed on it.

Food - If you arrive at the station hungry, don't worry, as there are many dining choices inside. Options include coffee shops, restaurants, a cafeteria, several 'fast-food' outlets, convenience stores, and platform vendors. The vendors sell everything from bar-be-qued chicken and fruit to bottles of whisky, beer and soft drinks.

HUALAMPHOG

Station Services include several travel agencies, a 'left-luggage' office, a 'Mail Boxes Etc.' (a Mailing / Packing / Shipping / Courier Service), a 'Rail Travel Aids Counter' (for maps, information, timetables, answers to train-related questions), an ATM, showers in the toilets, and a Tourist Police Box. Avoid the travel agencies outside the station (there are too many to count). Hualamphong Station has a good Tourist Office. Only talk to the people working at the 'Information Desk'. Avoid the 'touts' wearing very 'official-looking' badges who may offer to help you find a hotel. The left luggage facility is at the opposite end of the station, as you head for the station exit, on the far right...