Oriental Express
1. Eastern and Oriental Express (Bangkok to Singapore) -This train is for those travelers who have money and want to indulge themselves in luxury and the style of the 19th Century. The interior walls are polished wood decorated with inlays. The Eastern and Oriental Express provides Year-Round Direct Luxery Service between Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Rail Station and Singapore's Tanjong Pagar Railway Station with few stops. The Train stops at Kanchanaburi (Thailand)(the River Kwai Bridge and Myanmar Border), Butterworth (Malaysia) (across from Penang Island), and Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station (Malaysian Capital)). The journey takes three days (two nights), and goes past rainforests, mountains, temples, rubber plantations, and remote villages. Since 2007, The Eastern and Oriental Express also travels between Bangkok and Vientienne, Laos. The Eastern and Oriental Express also has overnight trips to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. The Eastern and Oriental Express is run by a Private Tour Company with the same name (E & O) , not associated with any State Rail Networks.
-a. The Accomodations & Facilities - There are three Classes of
Travel on the Eastern & Oriental Express: Pullman Compartments, State Compartments
and Presidential Suites. The Pullman Compartments have Private Sofa Lounges
during the daytime that are converted to an upper and lower bed at night. State
Compartments add both a fixed chair, a moveable chair, and a sofa that converts
into two single beds at night. Presidential Suites have a fixed chair, two
moveable chairs, two single beds at night, plus a complimentary bar in their
cabin. Each compartment has air-conditioning, an en-suite shower, a washbasin,
private toilet. and a large window. Each compartment also provides international
electric outlets (220 volts), a 110 volt adapter (for razors), a personal safe and
a hairdryer. There is 24-hour steward service, and stewards make up the beds at night
while guests dine.
-b. Dining - There are two Dining Cars, which offer 'Four-Star'
Food and Service, like in the world's finest hotels. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
are served there. 'Afternoon Tea' (Tea and Cakes) is served in each passenger's
private compartment.
-c. History - Until 1991, Malaysia and Thailand built operated separate
railway networks, so passengers had to change from Thai Railways Trains to Malaysian
Railways Trains at Butterworth Rail Station (Malaysia). In 1991, E&O and
the two State Railway Networks (Thai Railways and Malaysian Railways) signed
an agreement. This agreement allows a single luxury train, The Eastern and Oriental
Express, to travel the whole length of the 1,262 mile (2,030km) journey from
Bangkok to Singapore. The First Trip departed in September 1993. It provides
one of the most adventurous and exciting rail journeys in the world.
-d. Ammenities - Include a Bar Car, where The 'Piano Bar' is open throughout
the day and late into the night. The Bar Car offers local entertainment performed
in the evenings. .