Special Express No. 21 (Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani)

Special Express No. 21 train goes from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani in seven hours and 50 minutes. It leaves Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station at 6:10 a.m. and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani at 2:00 p.m. This is a diesel railcar built by Daewoo with 2nd Class carriages with air-conditioning. Food, snacks and drinks are included in the ticket price. You can also take this train to visit popular destinations such as Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, Surin, and Si Sa Ket.

Shortly after you board the train, the stewardess will come down your carriage serving hot and cold drinks and a snack. These are free as it’s included in the price of your ticket. If you get off the train before lunch is served, the stewardess will give you a takeaway bag with goodies like below. Lunch is a microwaved dinner. Rice with two toppings. You don’t really get a choice with these and it’s really hit and miss whether it’s any good or not. In the picture below we got Mackerel Paste with Salted Soya Bean and Chicken Yellow Curry. If the meal is too spicy or you don’t care for it, there is a meal break at Nakhon Ratchasima Station for 10 minutes. Maybe longer if the train arrives early. On the platform there are many food vendors waiting to sell you snacks, drinks and meals. They are not allowed on the train and so you must go down to them.

TRAIN TIMETABLE: BANGKOK TO UBON RATCHATHANI