Are you planning a romantic getaway to spend Valentine's Day with your loved one, but are at a loss? Then, the Rod Fai Loi Nam (floating train) day trip may be an excellent alternative when the State Railway of Thailand marks the month of love by extending a weekend schedule from Bangkok to the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam in the ancient town of Lop Buri.
On Saturdays and Sundays, a special train service runs from Hua Lamphong station at 6am, allowing passengers to board at Samsen, Bang Sue, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Muang, and Rangsit stations.
It takes around four hours and tourists can appreciate the beauty of nature and catch a glimpse of local life as the train weaves through communities, greenish rice fields, lush orchards, historical sites and corn plantations in Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Kaeng Khoi junction. The train is scheduled to arrive at the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam at 10.35am where tourists are free to wander about and take photographs for 20 minutes. Thanks to its astonishing landscapes, a long railway bridge that passes over the dam, has become a favourite photographic setting for young travellers to check in and satiate their wanderlust.
Alongside, a massive ground serves as a parking lot and a mini shopping market, with a group of local vendors selling a variety of street food, refreshing drinks and fresh fruits for light meals. A selection of colourful umbrellas are available for hire as a prop for fashion shots.
The journey continues to the Khok Salung station, where visitors can spend 30 minutes shopping for Otop products and other souvenirs created by local artists. Then it's back to the dam at 11.35am, giving travellers time to relax and have lunch before the return journey leaves from the dam at 3.30pm, arriving at Hua Lamphong at 6.50pm.
Tickets for the round-trip journey from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam are priced at 560 baht per person (second-class seat in air-conditioned carriages) and 330 baht per person (third-class seat in regular carriages). The private wagon service is also available for group tours.
Passengers taking the SRT's special service to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam must have two vaccination doses, which may be verified via the Mor Prom digital health pass app. Alternatively, on the day of travel, a negative ATK test result obtained within 72 hours can be given to the train crew.
Online booking can be made at dticket.railway.co.th or by calling 1690.
