I spent 13 hours in a first-class sleeper car on one of Thailand's longest train rides. Here's how it compares with second and third-class travel.

Marielle DescalsotaAug 31, 2022, 14:32 IST

First-class vs third-class in a Thailand sleeper train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I rode on Thailand's Special Express 14 from Chiang Mai to Bangkok in a first-class cabin for around $81.
It was the only class with a private cabin, two bunk beds, and a personal wash basin.

I took an overnight train for the first time on a reporting trip to Thailand in late July. The Special Express 14 is a train journey that starts in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai and ends in the capital city of Bangkok.

Me on my sleeper train for the night, SPECIAL EXPRESS 14.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

I took an overnight train for the first time on a reporting trip to Thailand in late July. The Special Express 14 is a train journey that starts in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai and ends in the capital city of Bangkok.

I traveled in a first-class cabin with two convertible bunk beds. It cost 2906 baht, or around $81, and was the only private accommodation on board.

The bed after it's been arranged by the staff.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The cabin was clean and had all the amenities a traveler could need during an overnight trip. Unlike other classes, first-class cabins had personal wash basins.

First class in Special Express 14.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Guests staying in first-class cabins had to share two bathrooms — one with a toilet, and another with a shower and squat toilet.

First-class bathroom in the train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While most of the passengers in first-class were tourists, local students occupied much of second-class. There were two types of second-class accommodation: air-conditioned and fan-only.

Second-class car in the train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

While most of the passengers in first-class were tourists, local students occupied much of second-class. There were two types of second-class accommodation: air-conditioned and fan-only.

Like with the first-class cabin, staff members arranged the convertible seats into a bed in the air-conditioned second-class cars.

Second-class bunk in the train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Unlike first-class cabins, wash basins in second-class were shared among dozens of passengers.

Wash basins in the second-class car.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The third-class sleeper car was the simplest — the only amenities it had were basic leather seats and fans.

Third-class car in the train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Windows were opened for better ventilation and the temperature inside the car got cooler throughout the night.

Third-class seats in the train.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

The third-class wash basins were bare-bone and didn't have mirrors.

Wash basins in the third-class car.Marielle Descalsota/Insider

A 'mushroom home' with a whimsical thatch roof is on the market in Michigan for $4.5 million, and the owner is sharing the story behind how it was built — check it out

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I spent 13 hours in a first-class sleeper car on one of Thailand's longest train rides. Here's how it compares with second and third-class travel.

I took an overnight train for the first time on a reporting trip to Thailand in late July. The Special Express 14 is a train journey that starts in Thailand's northern province of Chiang Mai and ends in the capital city of Bangkok.

I traveled in a first-class cabin with two convertible bunk beds. It cost 2906 baht, or around $81, and was the only private accommodation on board.

The cabin was clean and had all the amenities a traveler could need during an overnight trip. Unlike other classes, first-class cabins had personal wash basins.

Guests staying in first-class cabins had to share two bathrooms — one with a toilet, and another with a shower and squat toilet.

While most of the passengers in first-class were tourists, local students occupied much of second-class. There were two types of second-class accommodation: air-conditioned and fan-only.

Like with the first-class cabin, staff members arranged the convertible seats into a bed in the air-conditioned second-class cars.

Unlike first-class cabins, wash basins in second-class were shared among dozens of passengers.

The third-class sleeper car was the simplest — the only amenities it had were basic leather seats and fans.

Windows were opened for better ventilation and the temperature inside the car got cooler throughout the night.

The third-class wash basins were bare-bone and didn't have mirrors.