On Wednesday, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) began accepting reservations for its well-liked “floating train” day tours to Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lop Buri.
In the months of November, December, and January, which are considered the chilly season, the SRT offers two roundtrips from Bangkok every weekend.
However, the extended New Year’s weekend service has been canceled.
The following dates are open for reservations on the tourist train:
- 5. 11. 12. 18. 19. 25. 26. November
December dates include 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, and 24.
- January 6–7–13–14–20–21–27–28
The service is known as the “floating train” because when it over the brimming dam, passengers feel as though they are traveling over water.
The Pasak Jolasid, Thailand’s longest earthen dam, was constructed on the late King Bhumibol’s initiative to lessen flooding in the basins of the Pasak and Chao Phraya rivers. It offers stunning views of the surroundings as it crosses the Pasak River at Nong Bua Subdistrict in Phatthana Nikom District, Lopburi Province.
The massive barrier’s construction was started on December 2, 1994, and it was finished on September 30, 1999.
There are three different ticket categories for the “floating train”:
For the whole roundtrip from Saraburi/Kaeng Koi-Khok Salung, a third-class ticket (without air conditioning), costs 330 baht, or 150 baht for the one-way trip from Pasak Jolasid to Bangkok.
A second-class (air-conditioned) ticket is 500 Baht roundtrip or 250 Baht per direction.
The cost of a premium ticket (air-con with OTOP benefits) is 590 Baht roundtrip or 250 Baht per person.
Locals traveling between Saraburi and Khok Salung in the Phanat Nikhom district of Lop Buri will also have access to non-reservable third-class tickets for 200 baht on the day.
By contacting 02 621 8701 ext. 5202, large groups can reserve entire carriages.
The service leaves Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok at 6 am and arrives to the “floating railway” observation site for the dam at 9.25 am. Before continuing on to Khok Salung station, where day-trippers can buy for regional OTOP goods and Lopburi souvenirs, the train stops here for 20 minutes to give passengers a chance to take in the scenery and take pictures.
When the train arrives back at the dam at 10.35 a.m., travelers can disembark and explore the neighboring tourist attractions before the train departs for Bangkok at 3.30 p.m. The Pasak Basin Museum and eating lunch in the neighborhood are two popular activities. Vans (costing 70 baht) can also take visitors to nearby sunflower fields and a sizable fern garden.
At 6.50 p.m., the train returns to Hua Lamphong station.
The “floating train” also boosts tourism seasonally in Lopburi, bringing in money for the region’s citizens.
