The second class train option was fully booked, so we has no option but to travel third class. This cost was around £1 per person.
The three hour journey down South was hot and quite unbearable at times in the busy carriage. We stood for about 45 minutes, before managing to get a seat next to an open window blasting in hot air.
Our next stop is Chumphon. We knew this town was going to be a little quiet. But the purpose of the visit was to sort out a visa extension.
The town is mainly used as a ferry departure point for Koh Tao, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan (full moon party). I did look at options to revisit these islands as it's been a few years. However it is peak season so the prices have risen dramatically.
Unfortunately our stay hasn't been very exciting. We are staying slightly out side the town (which we knew to be the case) in a modern hotel. Hotels inside the town are a little grungy, and I'm too old for the backpacker crowd.
The hotel serves a great breakfast including steamed buns. Choose from:
Pork, Chinese BBQ pork, red bean, black bean, sesame or taro.
The only downside to the hotel is the noise caused by inconsiderate guests who love to slam doors. And the air conditioning that revs every ten minutes like a motorbike. But apart from that it's good.
We discovered on arrival that transportation to and from the Immigration Office was going to be difficult. It's far out of town and would require a driver to take us, wait, and bring us back. We have no idea how long that would take, or the cost.
Originally here for five nights, we've decided to leave tomorrow after three nights. George will no doubt weep about the £20 he has wasted. We've done everything there is to do here, so it is time to move on.
Tomorrow we take a two hour coach trip across to the east of Thailand to Ranong, which is on the border with Myanmar (Burma).
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