Pre-Covid a brand new central station was built in Bangkok to replace the ancient Hua Lamphong Station.
With the pandemic the new station (Bang Sue) was mothballed. Recently it was announced it would open in a matter of weeks. And it is also going to change name soon at a cost of 30 million plus.
We had to use the new station today to get to an airport hotel. What chaos it was!
Firstly we could not figure out how to get to the station. No signs or pedestrian bridges. A local came out of his house and helpfully pointed out how to get there. Basically we had to walk across about 10 main rail tracks to get to the other side. The kind man even carried my luggage half way. At the same time he was shouting at a station worker which probably translated to silly foreigners need to cross over, hope no trains are coming. Crazy 😱
When we eventually got into the station there were no clear signs on where to buy a ticket or what platform to board the train. We thought it was perhaps our mistake but even the locals are confused and missing their trains.
Once we got on the train it was very fast to the end station. We then wrongly assumed it was only a few minutes taxi ride and we would be at the hotel. Oh no, none of the taxi drivers knew where the brand new Novotel was by the brand new shopping mall. So we decided to walk 30 minutes in the heat. We rejoiced at seeing the hotel in the distance. Until we realised it was over the other side of what looked like the M25. We had just about given up when a taxi driver pulled up, we screamed with joy and jumped in.
We were very glad to get to our hotel in one piece 🥵
I would not normally stay in a chain hotel in Asia but there is a distinct lack of quality rated hotels near the airport. So we have two nights at a brand new Novotel which does have a lovely gym and pool which will be used. And hopefully a delicious buffet breakfast to eat.
#Bang Sue #thailandtrains #novotel
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