Many people have written reviews about their travels to various places, taking beautiful photos, especially group photos and couple photos. It's really enviable. But what about single people like us who don't have anyone to take photos for us? Single and broke! I can't afford to travel to expensive places, and I don't have anyone to take photos for me. Today, I would like to encourage single people with a limited budget who want to travel and have solo photos. I took hundreds of solo photos, but I had to cut many of them out because my head, legs, or hands were missing. I'm a complete beginner. For those who have never been there, let's look at how to get there and the detailed expenses of this trip. I've seen many reviews about solo travel, so I wanted to write one myself. It's the same as what I usually do when I travel alone. Just be "confident and have a tripod".

Sometimes I hear a faint voice in my ear asking if I'm so advanced in my singlehood that I'm now traveling and taking photos alone. No, I do have friends, but sometimes I just want to be alone, even though I'm not single. We all want to be alone sometimes. Besides, sometimes when I go with friends, I take amazing photos of them, but when they take photos of me, they don't turn out well. They don't get the angles I want. Are they doing it on purpose?

This time, we took a tourist train, train number 911 from Bangkok to Suan Son Pradipat. The previous year, I went with friends on the Bangkok - Death Railway - Kanchanaburi route. It was brutal, fun, and hilarious because we fell off the train. So this time, I'm not going to miss the train again.

This sightseeing train to Suan Son Pradipat has two options: air-conditioned for 240 baht and fan for 120 baht. If you don't mind the heat, the fan option is recommended. It's cheaper and provides a more authentic train experience. Remember to call the State Railway of Thailand's Call Center at 1690 to check for seat availability beforehand.

I arrived at Hua Lamphong Railway Station on Saturday morning at around 5:30 am. My train was scheduled to depart at 6:30 am. To be cautious, I checked the platform beforehand to confirm my boarding location. With some time to spare, I used the restroom and grabbed a bite to eat. The train departed on time, so I made sure not to be late. On a previous trip, I missed my train by just one minute, and it didn't wait for me. I had to take a motorcycle taxi to the next station, Bang Bamru (near Rama 7), to catch the train arriving at 7:00 am. The motorcycle taxi fare was 300 baht, which nearly blew my budget for that trip. This time, I was determined not to miss my train, and I successfully boarded before 6:30 am. I was quite proud of myself.

Throughout the journey, staff members were available to provide services such as sweeping the floor, holding bags to collect garbage, and most importantly, providing information and announcing the boarding and disembarking times for this trip. Time is of the essence, and missing the train is not an option. This experience has made me more punctual. The staff took excellent care of us, providing us with their phone numbers to call in case of an emergency, as announced by the staff (as shown in the picture). I took brief notes: The train will depart from Bangkok at 6:30 AM and arrive in Nakhon Pathom at 7:40 AM. It will depart from Nakhon Pathom at 8:20 AM. There are three stops where tourists can disembark and explore, and the train will return to pick them up at a later time. The stops are: 1) Cha-am (return departure at 3:58 PM), 2) Hua Hin Beach (a short bus ride is required after disembarking; return departure at 3:39 PM), and 3) Suan Son Pradipat Beach (adjacent to the station; return departure at 3:30 PM). Once the train departs, there are no more services. In other words, tourists are dropped off at tourist attractions and picked up later (but be on time). The train makes stops at other stations along the way. Passengers can order souvenirs from the staff, who will bring them onto the train on the return trip. I ordered three items: Ratchaburi noodles, Phetchaburi sweet sticky rice, and Hua Hin sea bass wrapped in banana leaves.

Arrive in Nakhon Pathom at 7:40 AM. Pay respects to the Buddha statue and return to the train by 8:20 AM. The statue is very large, so it is recommended to pay respects and return quickly. Do not walk around the statue, as the exits are all the same and you may get lost and miss your train. This is where most people miss their train. If you miss it, there are no other trains, and you will only have sticky rice to take home (this is what the officer said, haha).
Choose not to go inside to pay respects, as it is crowded. Just stand outside with your hands together, as you still have to walk a long way to get on the train. Then go out and eat pork rib porridge outside for breakfast. The seller is very nice. After paying, she raised her hands and bowed to us. Then we bought grilled chicken in case we get hungry on the way. When you are hungry, you will not be in the mood to do anything. Eating is a big deal. After that, with 10 minutes left, we stopped by 7-Eleven. Oh... there were a lot of people. We almost missed the train.
What should we do? Run, run, run!!!

Arrive at the pine garden at 11:00 AM. Take a short break and then find a quiet place to take pictures of ourselves.

Beach chairs are available for rent at only 20 baht each, but we walked the entire time and did not rent one. I tend to fall asleep wherever I sit for too long, and there would be no one to wake me up. With the cool breeze and the beautiful scenery, I would surely fall asleep for a long time. So, I chose to walk around and take photos until I got tired. Then, I decided to wait for the train a little early. Oh, and the restrooms at the Tiwsan Restaurant are very clean and spacious, and they are free to use.

Many people ask if I came alone. I replied that I did. Most tourists come here with their families to relax, enjoy the breeze, have picnics, and eat. Drinking beer and liquor is allowed, but don't get too drunk because you are in a military zone. There are not many restaurants, as most of them are run by military wives' welfare programs. Outsiders are not allowed to sell goods, so the area is not very crowded. However, it is very hot, so it is a good idea to bring an umbrella and sunglasses.
Now, let's hurry to find a place to take pictures before the train arrives.

"Hey, you guys, this is so cool... I mean, like, I have a picture that looks like someone secretly took a picture of me while I was taking a picture. #MajorDelusions"

Oops! Someone is secretly taking pictures of us from behind. #Imagination overload

Oh! Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! Click! From the photography techniques that Toi has learned, I can tell you that he didn't use them 5555. He just sat and imagined the camera angles himself.

Coming back later. Working now.

The weather was scorching hot. As I continued taking photos, I started to feel the effects of the sun. The walk seemed endless, but even in the distance, there were still people sitting around. It wasn't too dangerous for a strong woman like me who is always ready to defend herself. My mistake was wearing sneakers. I planned to take them off and walk barefoot on the beach. As soon as I took off my shoes, my feet burned. The sand was incredibly hot. I couldn't take it anymore. I decided to stay in the shade.

Thais walked past me without a word, but when a foreigner walked by, they stopped and said, "Oh, you want to take a picture of the sea, right? Oh, you're so nice!" Little did they know, I was taking a picture of myself. 5555

With just confidence and a tripod.

I want to take some quiet photos, but there are people walking around everywhere. Oh well, I don't care. I'll just pose and take some photos. I don't have many poses, so I'll just stand still and look cool. The tripod and remote control are widely available and cost only a few hundred baht. The camera I used for this shoot is the same phone I use every day, a very old Samsung Galaxy Grand 1. And a Canon A1200 HD digital camera, which I bought for about a thousand baht back in the day (even older). Well, it still works. I set it up and press the shutter button (oh, I forgot to turn on the sound so you can hear it when I take the picture).

"Mุมสาระ" is a direct copy.

Suan Son Pradipat Beach

Location: Ban Nong Kae, Nong Kae Subdistrict, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.

Area: 1,065 rai, 1 ngan, 86 square wa.

Distance from Bangkok: Approximately 190 km.

Features:

• Quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
• Lush pine trees lining the beach.
• Beautiful, curved bay with clean white sand.
• Shallow water, suitable for swimming.

Amenities:

• Fresh water showers.
• Toilets.
• Beach chairs and mats.
• Inflatable rings for swimming.
• Restaurants.
• Designated areas for cooking (cleanliness is important).

Safety:

• Secured by military personnel.

Getting there:

• By car: From Bangkok, head south on Phetkasem Road. Pass Phetchaburi Province and enter Cha-am District. Continue to Hua Hin District (approximately 9 km). Turn left and the beach will be on your left.
• By bus: Take a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok to Hua Hin or Pran Buri. The bus will pass Suan Son Pradipat Beach.
• By train: Take the train to Suan Son Station, located within the beach area.

Note: This is a translation of the provided text. It does not include any additional information or analysis.

As a train enthusiast, I've learned the essentials of solo train travel attire. Safety and comfort are key. While a hat might seem ideal for the hot weather, a white one might get dusty quickly. Don't forget an umbrella, sunglasses, and a cutter (not for self-defense, but for opening snacks!). If you're prone to allergies, reconsider Thai trains unless you opt for the air-conditioned compartments. Dust is prevalent, so a face mask is recommended. Don't worry if you forget one; vendors will be selling them on the train. Honestly, any attire is fine as long as you're cautious. However, as someone who tends to fall asleep anywhere, especially on long train journeys, I prioritize safety. Traveling alone, I never know who I might be sharing a seat with, so I prefer to be prepared.

… Now, I'm getting sleepy. I'll continue this story later.

One of the unique charms of solo travel is the people you meet along the way. The uncertainty of who you will encounter, whether good or bad, especially when sharing a four-seat train compartment facing a "stranger," adds a thrill to the experience. While hoping not to be seated next to intimidating men, women, grumpy aunts, or children, the fear of falling asleep and leaving your belongings vulnerable keeps you on edge.

This trip was a nightmare. I got exactly what I hated: children! And not just one, but two! Oh my God, they were both at the peak of their mischievousness. The entire journey, the other passengers kept staring at us. The family consisted of a father, a mother, and two children (a skinny, dark-skinned child and a chubby, fair-skinned child). The other child seemed to be their nephew rather than their own.

The Silence on the Train

Four people, a father, mother, and two children, sat across from me on the train. I was alone, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask to protect myself from the dust. The children stared at me with wide eyes, perhaps wondering if I was a train robber. They huddled close to their parents, as the three seats were not enough for four people. The mother kept saying, "Don't touch the lady, don't touch the lady." The children were restless and chattered non-stop, oblivious to their surroundings.

After a while, as the train departed from Bangkok, I decided that silence was not an option. I removed my mask and initiated a conversation. "Do you often travel by train?" I asked. The mother replied, "This is our first time. We wanted to bring the children so they could tell their teacher and friends at school about it."

We talked almost the entire journey, with occasional naps in between. The children, though energetic, kept bumping into my legs. The parents were lovely, constantly teaching their children to be respectful of others.

Traveling alone, I realized the importance of communication. If I hadn't asked questions and initiated conversations, I would have missed out on connecting with the people around me.

After reading this review, people around you or acquaintances may ask you questions like: What are you doing? Are you crazy? Are you not afraid to go alone? Are you not ashamed? Does no one like you anymore? And so on. Often, people around you will ask you why you like to do strange things (in your heart, you think: Who doesn't do it? I'm just taking pictures for fun). If we keep asking ourselves why we have to do this, instead of asking ourselves, why don't we try it and find out the answer?

If we all live the same way, our world will be devoid of diversity. Here's a good thought (that I copied from someone else):
"7 Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo at Least Once in Your Life"
1. You will meet cool people.
2. You will experience complete freedom.
3. It is a challenge to overcome your fears.
4. You may fall in love with someone.
5. It allows you to spend time with yourself and get to know yourself better.
6. You will become a new person.
7. It gives you the opportunity to give up everything and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the world.

We've done it all, we think. ^_^

English:

It was almost half past three in the afternoon. Many people were rushing to catch the train, as they were afraid of missing it. If they missed this train, they would have to find their own way back to Bangkok. The train stopped at various stations along the way, picking up passengers from Hua Hin, Phetchaburi, and Ratchaburi. Meanwhile, the staff distributed the souvenirs that we had ordered earlier on the train. I didn't order any fresh sugarcane juice, but while I was half asleep, I heard a faint voice from a fellow passenger saying, "Go, go get 5 glasses and some ice. Follow the staff inside." It was the voice of the mother of the family traveling with us, who asked her thin child to follow the staff. (I thought to myself, "They came as a family of four, father, mother, and child, why do they need 5 glasses?") Oh, I forgot to mention that for those who ordered fresh sugarcane juice and wanted to drink it right away, there were free glasses and crushed ice available on the train.
A while later, I heard a wake-up call (I was asleep) "Guys, guys, fresh sugarcane juice." The mother called out. I said, "It's okay, I don't want any." (Oh, so the 5th glass was for me.) But my hand automatically reached out to take the glass. I laughed at myself, as I was half asleep and just took the glass from her. I thought to myself, "We've been traveling together for several hours now, so I'm pretty sure this family wouldn't drug me."
Or to put it simply, I was just greedy for food. 55555

The train continues its journey, taking breaks when needed and making numerous stops as usual. Goodbye, Mr. Green Flag.

Ah, it seems like rain.

Though not a single drop of rain fell on us, upon reaching Ratchaburi, we were greeted by a rainbow, indicating that it had just rained. Pointing it out to the children, I said, "Look, children, a rainbow!" I tried to engage in conversation with the children, as I am not adept at playing with them. I did my best, and the chubby child ran to the window, completely ignoring me.

Upon arriving in Ratchaburi, the train stopped for an extended period. An announcement was made by an official, apologizing for the delay and explaining that the train was being held for the Butterworth train. The passengers were confused and curious about the Butterworth train. One passenger's mother searched for information online and discovered that it was a train traveling to Malaysia. The passenger recalled the luxurious train with hanging wine displays, demonstrating their quick association with alcohol. The passenger and their mother engaged in a lively conversation throughout the journey. The mother, a positive-thinking Muslim woman, shared her knowledge about religion, her work as a self-employed individual, and her family. She emphasized the importance of hard work, embracing all types of jobs, and investing in personal development. The passenger became an attentive listener, despite the mother's initial silence. As the sun began to set, the conversation turned to ghost stories. The mother recounted the presence of a Thai-dressed ghost spirit in her home, attributed to belongings brought from an old house in Ayutthaya. The passenger found all the stories captivating and insightful, appreciating the wisdom shared by the mother despite their two-year age difference. The mother's experiences and perspectives, shaped by her extensive work experience, resonated deeply with the passenger.

The sight of this family playing together on the train suggests that the young child will grow up to be a good person. Despite the challenges they face, the parents are clearly dedicated to their child's well-being. While the child may be mischievous and curious at times, their playful energy is endearing. The scene of the mother teaching the child to make shadow puppets with the sunlight filtering through the train window is particularly heartwarming. It is moments like these that make one appreciate the joys of family life.

With the ability to take self-portraits that appear as if someone else captured them, it becomes difficult to discern the truth behind solo travel photos. Doubts may arise: "Did they really go alone, or did they use a tripod?" or "Were they truly with friends, or did they edit the photo to appear so?" To address these concerns, this project utilizes a mobile phone for self-portraits, applying a vintage Lomography-style filter. For general landscape shots, a digital camera is employed, with minimal adjustments for brightness. This approach ensures image clarity while maintaining a distinction between self-portraits and regular photographs.

There are too many large images and reviews, which would make the page cluttered. If you want to see larger images, please visit https://www.facebook.com/bowie.TT/media_set?set=a.10206765735360070.1073741856.1175648006&type=3.

Many people want to travel or just get out of the city full of buildings to relax their eyes and lungs. But there are many limitations, such as being single. Who should I go with? I invited my friends, but they didn't go. My friends are not adventurous. They made an appointment and then broke it. How can I take pictures if I go alone? How do I get started? Oh, I don't have any money. It costs thousands of dollars to go. These problems will be gone!!! Just be an easy-going person, eat simple food, focus on taking pictures and walking around, not eating.
Many times we find a lot of reviews that are worth going to, but those reviews don't ask about our wallet's health at all. Now let's come......

"Calculate damages"

Take a train to the amusement park today.

1. Round-trip train ticket costs 120 baht.

2. The bus fare for route 75 from Thon Buri to Hua Lamphong is 6.50 baht.

3. The entrance fee to the bathroom at Hua Lamphong Station is 3 baht.

4. The cost of rice porridge for breakfast in Nakhon Pathom is 40 baht (extra portion).

5. Snacks 20 baht and plain water 5 baht, total 25 baht at 7-Eleven (I was going to buy snacks for the little one to eat on the train, but the mother was considerate and said that there were a lot of them, so she didn't eat our snacks and ate them all by herself in the end.

6. Grilled chicken, 40 baht (brought from Nakhon Pathom to eat at the beach at noon)

7. Value of souvenirs

• Steamed pumpkin custard 100 baht

- Steamed fish in banana leaf 60 baht

• Noodles, 20 baht (eaten on the train in the afternoon)

(All souvenirs are delicious, according to the very capable officer Biew. These are famous items that are difficult to find in Bangkok. I couldn't resist buying them, haha.)

-Small bottle of water 10 baht

• Large bottle of plain water, 20 baht (Note: I bought water several times because I drink a lot of water)

8. The bus fare for the 75 bus to my house is 13 baht.

The total cost is 457.50 baht. If you don't buy souvenirs and don't eat much, it will only cost around 200 baht for a round trip. It's really like drying clothes in the sun.

Try to find time to go, okay?

All of these, the 4 photos I like the most, were not taken intentionally, but I ended up liking them anyway.

The truth is, I could have taken more pictures if it wasn't so hot and I didn't have to walk so far. Otherwise, I would be even tanner than I am now. I want to encourage both single and non-single people who want to be alone to go out and meet new people besides their acquaintances. As a woman, traveling alone can be scary in the eyes of others. However, if we plan well and are careful, no matter our gender or age, we can choose to do things we've never done before. Just be brave... even if it doesn't please others, we've already won our own hearts today. If what we dare to do doesn't hurt anyone, don't let the words of a few people stop us from pursuing our thoughts and abandoning them. Even on a tight budget, we can easily find hundreds of memorable experiences on our own.
Thank you for taking the time to read this far. We'll meet again soon, and we'll invite you to "go solo" with us.

For women who love solo travel, join the "Solo Travel Lady Journey" page to share your travel inspiration.