Guide to “Floating Train Excursion” to Pasak Chonlasit Dam
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) run a number of weekend excursion trains to various tourist destinations around Thailand. Two of the most popular routes that go every weekend are to Sai Yok Waterfall in Kanchanaburi and Suan Son Pradipat Beach to the south of Hua Hin. The SRT also arranges a special excursion during the winter months to Pasak Chonlasit Dam (Pa Sak Jolasid Dam) in Lopburi Province. This trip is nicknamed “The Floating Train” as the highlight is going across a series of viaducts above Pasak Chonlasit Reservoir. At this time of the year, the water is very high, and as you can only see water out of the windows on both sides, it gives the impression that you are floating on water.
The excursion train is arranged from November to January every year. Tickets go on sale 30 days in advance and always sell out quickly. The following are the latest dates but they might add extra dates or rounds in order to satisfy demand.
🗓 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 November 2023
🗓 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 December 2023
🗓 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 January 2024
Tickets can be bought at any train station across the country or on the official D-Ticket website, from 24th October at 8:30 a.m. onwards.Click on the link Esploring Thailand by Train or scroll down to the bottom of the page. You should then see a picture of a train crossing a viaduct over a lake. Click on that. More information: How to Buy Train Tickets.
- 1st Class is 590 Baht for the round-trip using the air-conditioned OTOP seat carriages.
- 2nd Class is 590 Baht for the round trip using the air-conditioned JR-West sleeper carriages.
- 2nd Class is 500 Baht for the round trip using the air-conditioned JR-West seated carriages.
- 3rd Class is 330 Baht for the round trip. This has open windows and fans.
It is the same fare for adults and children. Groups can also charter a complete carriage which will be added to the train. Call 1690 for further details.
The train leaves Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong) at 6.00 a.m., and then stops to pick-up passengers at various stations, such as Bang Sue Junction, Don Mueang (New), Rangsit, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, and Kaeng Khoi Junction and then on to the “Floating Train” viewpoint in the middle of Pasak Chonlasit Dam. The train will stop in the middle of the reservoir at 9:25 a.m. to give time to the tourists to get down and take photos of the beautiful scenery for 20 minutes. Then the train will continue to Khok Salung Station where it will arrive at 9:50 a.m. Here there is time for tourists to taste and shop local OTOP products for about 30 minutes.
Then the train will bring tourists back across the viaduct to Pasak Chonlasit Dam at 10.40 am. Tourists can do various activities at their leisure. Whether it’s lunch from a local community shop or to travel around the perimeter of the Pasak Chonlasit Dam by using a tractor and trailer. The service fee for this is 30 baht per person. Tourists can also take a tour of the nearby sunflower fields by van for around 70 baht per person (TBC).
The train will leave Pasak Chonlasit Dam at 3:30 p.m. and stop to drop off passengers at various stations such as Kaeng Khoi Junction, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Rangsit, Don Mueang (New), Bang Sue Junction, Samsen, and arriving back at Bangkok Station at 6:50 p.m.
RELATED LINKS:
- Photo Blog of the Excursion Train to Pasak Cholasid Dam in 2021
- Photo Blog of a Trip along the Lam Narai Branch Line
2nd Class JR-WEST Carriages
TRAIN SCHEDULE
All times are subject to change.
| TIME | STATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00am | Depart Bangkok Station | 921 train – outbound journey |
| 6:23am | Bang Sue Junction | Blue and Red Line |
| 6:51am | Don Mueang Station | Red Line |
| 7:02am | Rangsit Station | Red Line |
| 7:41am | Ayutthaya Station | |
| 8:23am | Saraburi Station | |
| 8:36am | Kaeng Khoi Junction | |
| 9:25am | Viewpoint on Viaduct | 20 minutes to take photos on the viaduct. |
| 9:50am | Khok Salung Station | A 30 minute stop to buy food, snacks and OTOP products. |
| 10:40am | Pasak Jolasid Dam Station | You have five hours to visit the dam and eat lunch |
| 3:30pm | Depart from Pasak Jolasid | 926 – return journey |
| 4:12pm | Kaeng Khoi Junction | |
| 4:26pm | Saraburi Station | |
| 5:08pm | Ayutthaya Station | |
| 5:49pm | Rangsit Station | Red Line |
| 5:49pm | Don Mueang Station | Red Line |
| 6:28pm | Bang Sue Junction | Blue and Red Line |
| 6:50pm | Arrive at Bangkok Station |
MAP OF ROUTE
PHOTOS FROM PAST TRIPS
RELATED LINKS:
I am constantly Checking for this year schedule
When would be the best time to check it out for 15/12?
Thanks!
It should be announced at the end of October.
I saw that it has announced for the service for this year. However I am looking to get the ticket for 14/12 and I had this NO DATA FOUND. Should I change the BANGKOK as departure to Krung Thep?
You need to scroll down to the bottom of the DTicket website to the section Exploring Thailand by Train. Then click on the excursion train you want.
HI Richard. Great website and a lot of great information for newbies like me. A question. Is left or right side better for viewing or are they about the same? I guess you see the other side coming back….
Right hand side is more impressive.
G’day Richard, Merry Christmas, I’m wandering if I can buy the tickets directly from Hua lampong train station if possible for floating train one day before departure date? Please advise. Many thanks!
No you cannot for sure as the tickets go on sale 30 days in advance and sell out within minutes.
G’day Richard, acknowledge with thanks.
Thanks for the excellent information Richard, I just tried to book and it’s showing no data so assume there are no seats left. I particularly wanted to see the sun flowers, is there a mid week train that travels to and from Pa Sak Staion ?
On the first page of D-Ticket, did you scroll down to the bottom of the page for the tourist trains? Then clicked on the picture of the train on the viaduct surrounded by water?
Hi, is this trip suitable for an elderly person on wheelchair?
I am afraid not. When it stops on the viaduct it is quite a climb down.
Hello Richard, is there a covered parking at Hua Lamphong station?
No it is only open parking. At Krung Thep Aphiwat it is covered parking.
Hi Richard
Great website you have. I did a check today and the state railway released the dec 9 and 10 tickets.
Can I check what’s the meaning of 131 and 111 prior before click to book the ticket
Much the same. They both have the same 1st class reclining seats. One just has less seats than the other as there is a private room at one end.
Hi, I’m Celine from SAYS Malaysia. I’m reaching out to ask permission to include the picture of passengers looking out the train into an article I’m writing about the floating train in Thailand. Please let me know how I should credit it to you. Hope that’s ok!
That’s fine. Just credit it to Richard Barrow (ThaiTrainGuide.com)
I tried to book the ticket on SRT website but no ticket available for Dec 2-3, sadly..
Hi Richard!
Do you know how can I buy a one way trip for this train? The website only shows roundtrip options but I saw on news that we can buy one way.
Also, do you guess we can find a bus/van from the dam to Lop Buri town?
Thank you!
Yes I saw that too but no sign of those tickets going on sale. The dam is in the middle of nowhere and so public transportation is not good. I am actually doing something similar to what you are proposing. I will catch the excursion train there. Then on the way back I will get off in Ayutthaya to have dinner. Then catch the train northwards to Lopburi. A lot simpler.
Hi are this train still operate?
Usually only takes place at the end of the rainy season in November to January. I will post as soon as there is a confirmation of dates.
Thanks for the great website. For the Kaeng Khoi Junction and Saraburi Station in the schedule, it appears the notes may have been wrongly carried over from the Namtok train.
You are right. Thanks for the feedback. I will update it now.