You experience everything in Thailand (31)
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Another episode in our series from a blog reader who experienced something fun in Thailand. Do you also have an experience with something special, funny, curious, moving, strange or ordinary about Thailand, let us know via the contact form..
Of course it does not necessarily have to have taken place in Thailand, those nice experiences that have to do with Thailand also occur in the Netherlands and Belgium. It can be long or short, but just fun to tell. Perfect Dutch is allowed, but not required, the editors will help you to make a nice story out of it.
Today a blog reader's story Casper about a near-failed train journey to Nong Khai.
By train to Nong Khai
Thirteen years ago I still had to be in Nong Khai for the 90-day visa notification, now for many years in Khon Kaen. I always went by train for 30 baht, very cozy with tasty grilled chicken on the train and all kinds of fruit.
It just so happens that I arrive at the station and ask an elderly gentleman: "Is that the rod fai Nong Khai?" “Yes,” says the man. Somewhat surprised that the train was on time, I get on and notice immediately after departure that the train is going in the wrong direction for me. We head south towards Korat. I thought that's wrong. Now just wait for the conductor and sure enough, when he comes he checks my ticket and says “No good”. Yes, I thought, I had already seen that myself 55555.
He immediately reports on his walkie-talkie, so I wait and suddenly the train stops somewhere on the route after about 15 minutes. He comes to me and says “Farang out” I get off the train and on the other side of the track is the train to Nong Khai. Everyone on both trains looks surprised out of the window to see what's going on and I walk to the other train with a blush of shame on my cheeks. Then I was on the right train.
Will never forget, Amazing Thailand and Railways in Thailand.
555 next time you will definitely have counted the question a little more clearly ('rótfai níe pai Nǒngkhai rǔu plào?'). I didn't expect the conductor's solution to be any different, the drivers still have to pass each other, so changing somewhere along the line is the most practical approach. 🙂
Small addition
rotfai khaboean nie (tones high, middle, low, middle, high).
ขบวน (literally: parade, procession) is the classifier for rotfai and is needed when using a numeral or a demonstrative pronoun. But also the Thais often omit it…..
Dear Tina,
Your reactions are usually disruptive and unrelated to the story.
Your knowledge of the Thai language is impressive but not interesting at all.
You are replying to the wrong blog.
I always forget those classifiers…so hard!
Six years of Thai lessons and only been able to practice during 4 weeks of vacation…I have already forgotten a lot.
Yes Rob never happened to me again 55555
Well, this is real Thailand, it won't surprise me. if it comes forth today, one more time
Very nice to read amazing Thailand.
The question is, of course, were you still on time…
Slightly late response sorry Pjoter yes on time I always stayed a day or 2 in nong khai a very nice place with a large covered market (indochina market) and the mekong river boat trip and don't forget the sculpture garden of Sala Keew Ku.
Well worth a visit with Fri. gr. Caspar
Yep,
Totally recognize this!
Happened to me too, at a fork in the railway line I took the wrong train, initially went in the right direction..
Train was stopped and the train from the opposite direction stopped to take me away, thanks to the conductor.
You can usually see the conductor thinking when you get in, often they are there quickly to see if the farang is traveling properly.
Must have happened about 8 years ago.
Time tables.
http://thairailways.com/time-table.intro.html
Once again proof that you should always ask for a 2nd opinion in Thailand from another person because they will never show that they don't understand and don't want to lose face. Most don't speak a word of English and then it's much easier to just nod yes, but of course you're stuck with the baked pears. Fortunately, you managed to catch a conductor in time and the right train was already waiting, but for the same money you lose hours because of that silly thing!
After reading this story by train, I couldn't help but think about what happened to me in the Netherlands. Was in the Navy and that was over 50 years ago. It was located in Den Helder at that time. Boat was in the dock for maintenance. It was Saturday evening and a friend who lived in Hoorn invited me to his house for dinner. So when I arrived in Hoorn I immediately checked what time the last train back to Den Helder left. After a pleasant evening I arrived at the station and got in. Trien started driving and yes, I thought it was going the wrong way. So I looked up a conductor and he said, yes, this one is going to Amsterdam. He told me that my current train was on a different platform due to the bad weather. It was snowing quite a bit. He went to discuss what the options were, because I had to go on duty on Sunday morning. Came up with a solution: the train would make a special stop and the train back to Hoorn would wait a while. So that I could switch. But yes, Hoorn, I had to go to Den Helder. But yes, Hoorn is closer to Den Helder and I could always arrange a taxi. But first I walked back to my friend and tried to wake him up. He eventually succeeded by throwing snowballs at his bedroom window. The whole story explained. And we took his car in a flying snowstorm to Den Helder through the polders. Fortunately we arrived safely and he stayed the night, he was also a navy man. And I was on time in the morning for roll call. So the Dutch railways also thought along with you.
Ps if this is too long a story it can also be posted as a separate story
Mvg sitse