The train derailed and went to Aranyaprathet-Poipet.

"Chachoengsao or Aranyaprathet, which is better?"

After much deliberation, I pondered over the possibilities for my weekend getaway. I yearned to escape the confines of Bangkok and embark on a train journey to a novel destination, a place yet to be explored.

I've never been to Aranyaprathet, and I've never been to Sa Kaeo... And then, the answer stopped at Aranyaprathet because it's far away. And I'm going to experience the atmosphere at the Rong Kluea Market, look at cheap things, cross the border to Cambodia, go into the casino, etc. Wow, I'm going to be able to go abroad this weekend. I'm so excited. 555 Okay, let's get to the point.

The journey begins at Phaya Thai Railway Station (not to be confused with the BTS SkyTrain station). The origin of this railway line is at Bangkok Railway Station, also known as Hua Lamphong. The train arrived at Phaya Thai on time at 05:55.

The train journey took us through various provinces, passing vast fields and meadows, and herds of cows and buffaloes. The scenery was truly delightful, a rare glimpse of nature. The train stopped at every station to pick up and drop off passengers, offering a taste of local life. Occasionally, vendors would board the train, selling their wares and adding to the lively atmosphere. Refreshments were readily available, from water and mangoes to snacks and sweets, ensuring a satisfying journey.

After nearly six hours on the train, I finally arrived in Aranyaprathet, a border town in Thailand. The journey was long and sweaty, leaving me with salt stains on my shirt. The heat was unbearable.

A Change of Plans: An Unexpected Overnight Stay in Aranyaprathet

Initially, the plan was to arrive in the morning and return in the evening. However, upon arrival, the thought arose: "Why not stay the night since I'm already here?" With a slight increase in the budget, an extra day of exploration became possible.

A search on Booking.com for the most affordable accommodation in Aranyaprathet led to the discovery of a room for 300 baht per night, suitable for two people. Despite being a solo traveler, the decision was made to book the room.

The distance from Aranyaprathet Railway Station to the accommodation (Chaiyasuk Bungalow) was just over a kilometer. For someone accustomed to adventure, this was a comfortable walking distance. However, for those seeking a more convenient option, two-baht songthaews, motorbike taxis, and tuk-tuks are readily available at the railway station.

Upon arriving at the accommodation, I checked in and took a shower. I turned on the air conditioning and lay down to watch television and scroll through my phone. Before I knew it, it was already 2:30 pm. I quickly got dressed and prepared to head to the Rong Kluea Market.

From our accommodation, we hailed a tuk-tuk to the Rong Kluea Market. After negotiating, we secured a fare of 60 baht, compared to the usual 80 baht. The journey took around ten minutes, and upon arrival, we were greeted by the vastness of the Rong Kluea Market. It was truly a shopper's paradise, and I was determined to explore every corner of it.

Before entering the market, we felt hungry and decided to grab a bite to eat. We opted for a simple yet delicious meal of rice noodles with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, accompanied by sticky rice and grilled pork sausage purchased from a nearby shop. Both food stalls were conveniently located in front of the 7-Eleven at the entrance of Rong Kluea Market. The vendors were incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Shoe stores selling pairs for 100-200 baht are abundant.

The Rong Kluea Market is divided into several zones, including clothing, second-hand goods, shoes, kitchenware, bedding, toys, fresh produce, and much more. To explore the market efficiently, consider renting a motorbike or a golf cart. Motorbike rentals are affordable, with a rate of 100 baht for 3 hours. Golf carts can accommodate 5-6 people and have hourly and daily rental options, ranging from 300 to 500 baht.

Walking down this alleyway to the next, I kept going around and around until my mind told me to stop. It was too much. I couldn't take it anymore. The weather was so hot, how could I possibly walk any further? Besides, I hadn't bought anything from any of the shops. I guess you could call it window shopping, haha. Then, I crossed the border into Poipet, Cambodia, which required a passport as identification.

Exiting the Rong Kluea Market, walk straight across the railway tracks. You will see a sign for the immigration checkpoint. Follow the sign; it's straightforward. There is a dedicated lane for Thai citizens. Non-Thai citizens should use the other lane.

We completed the immigration process through an automated machine. We scanned our passports and fingerprints, and the process was completed quickly. As we exited the building, we encountered a completely different world. The atmosphere was vastly different from the Thai side. Cars honked their horns enthusiastically, a behavior that would likely lead to confrontations in Thailand. However, here it seemed perfectly normal. Large trucks were constantly entering and exiting the area.

After clearing Thai immigration, remember to get your passport stamped at Cambodian immigration. Fill out the arrival/departure card and keep the departure portion for your exit from Cambodia. Cambodian immigration is located after walking through the Grand Diamond Casino. Look for the "Arrival" sign to officially enter Cambodia.

According to Cambodian immigration officials, if you are only staying within the casino area, you do not need to get a Cambodian entry stamp. This is because there are no immigration checkpoints before the casinos. However, if you want to leave the casino area or go to other cities such as Siem Reap or Phnom Penh, it is essential to get an entry stamp. Otherwise, it will be considered illegal entry.

Continuing forward, you will encounter the landmark of this location: the gateway to Cambodia, adorned with a statue of Angkor Wat.

Walk straight ahead for a short distance and you will find numerous casinos lined up like mushrooms. Feel free to enter or exit any that pique your interest. However, recording devices and video cameras are strictly prohibited inside the casinos. Each casino has designated areas for storing these items. Mobile phones are permitted as usual.

We decided to enter a casino, invited by a young Cambodian man. Out of curiosity, we went in. The young man seemed to be a regular at the casino, and he showed us around, pointing out the restrooms and inviting us to try the various games. However, we were only there to observe, so we politely declined his offer to play. And that's the end of the story.

The interior of the casino was luxuriously decorated, magnificent and spectacular, adorned with colorful lights that were a delight to behold. I felt a sense of excitement as I entered, with an overwhelming number of staff waiting to serve the players. It seemed to me that there were more staff than guests. The casino we visited also offered free food and drinks, which we could help ourselves to. There was also a special food area for VIP guests. People were having fun playing the various games, some laughing loudly, others smoking cigarettes right there in the casino. However, I must say that I had no desire to play anything. I just wanted to see what the inside of a casino was like and what the atmosphere was like. I found that this was not the place for me, haha! So I decided to take my leave and go for a walk outside instead.

The railway here passes right in front of the casino.

I visited the Poipet railway station, which is currently undergoing renovations. Trains are still operating here. If I had more time, I would be interested in experiencing a ride on a Cambodian train, perhaps even to Phnom Penh.

The train looks older than ours. It's a pity that I only took a picture of the back of the train. I only have one picture to show, haha. But I have to say that our Thai train is much better. 555

The railway lines in Poipet and Thailand have now been successfully connected. In the future, there may be a railway line between Thailand and Cambodia.

Temples in Poipet

The minibus is a beautiful color.

Oil in a bottle

This is the designated waiting area for the shuttle bus that will take you to the Poipet bus station, where you can connect to various destinations in Cambodia, particularly Siem Reap. Construction is currently underway in front of the waiting area, resembling a memorial of some sort.

Angkor beer, only 20 baht per can.

French bread with filling is similar to that of Laos and Vietnam.

After returning to my accommodation in the evening, I immediately went to bed early due to extreme fatigue. The next day would involve my return journey to Bangkok, again utilizing the services of the Thai railway. Although this review may be brief, I am confident that my travels have provided me with novel experiences, however minor. With that, I conclude my review and extend my gratitude to all readers and reviewers.