The "Choo Choo" train floats on the water, offering a scenic view of the dam once a year.

The floating train tour of the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam is a collaboration between the State Railway of Thailand and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. It takes tourists on a scenic journey through the dam, which takes place at the beginning of each year. In 2017, the service will begin in February and bookings will open in January. Booking is simple and can be done at any train station or by phone.

(I apologize that I don't remember the contact number. It's easier to type it into the State Railway website or go to the station.)

Booking is extremely difficult, with millions of people trying to book for only a thousand available spots. This is because the train is very popular and it takes a long time to get through to the booking line. (The State Railway should improve its phone lines.) This is an annual event, and I'm not sure if there are any other options outside of this program. You might be able to ride the train through the area, but it's unlikely that it will stop for photos.

In summary, booking is very difficult due to the high demand. There are more than 10 carriages, each of which can hold almost 100 people. The tours only run on Saturdays and Sundays, making them ideal for families and young people as these are non-working days. (As you can see, the popularity of the event makes booking difficult.) Once you have a date, a train, and a seat (there are no standing tickets), you're ready to go.

You can start your journey right away. Traveling is not difficult. You can board the train at any station near you, not just at Hua Lamphong Station. (The price is 270 baht per person for a round trip, and the price also depends on the boarding distance. If you board at Ayutthaya or Saraburi, it will be cheaper.)

Once we have the tickets, we can check where we can board the train.

This is where we will catch the train. It is convenient to get on at any time and station. Once we know, let's go.

Today we are at Don Mueang Airport, which is crowded with people coming in pairs, groups, and families.

The journey begins with a short ride, during which staff entertain passengers and distribute small prizes.

Some stations offer snacks and drinks for purchase, but it is recommended to bring your own food and water, as the trip starts early in the morning. Sunglasses and hats are also advisable due to the sunny and windy conditions.

A map is provided to outline the itinerary, including stops, activities, and approximate timings.

The "จุดเที่ยว" is a spot in the middle of the dam where visitors can stop to take photos and enjoy the scenic views. It feels like being in the middle of a river, floating on something. After visiting the dam, there are options for sightseeing, such as a train ride to a temple, a museum, and animal exhibits. Transportation options include dam-provided vehicles, golf carts (400-500 baht per hour, expensive but worthwhile for groups), bicycles (find a good rental location, they're hidden), and walking.

The train has arrived at its destination. Passengers waiting to board can now do so. We have a limited amount of time to take photos before we must depart. We didn't have enough time to take photos at the top, so we took them on the way down. Time is running out… the train has already left! After a short while, we arrived at the center of the dam. We arrived almost at the end of the tour, and we were given 30 minutes to explore. It may not seem like a long time, but it was actually quite sufficient, as we only needed to take photos and walk around. We had plenty of time left over.

While the train is running

Strong wind

It's time to go down and take pictures.

Just a little more

The other side

Children are also welcome.

Along both sides of the road

Beautiful...

It's time...he will take us to the Pa Sak Jolasid Dam tourist spot...so we can eat, admire the dam, and pray.

The price of a car ride to see the dam at Vai Pra.

This is the vehicle we will be using for our roundtrip journey, which will only take 30 minutes. The journey is short, and we will not be stopping at the center of the dam to allow for viewing. Instead, we will enjoy the scenery from the vehicle while listening to the tour guide provide informative commentary.

After a satisfying trip, it was time to return. The departure was scheduled for 3:00 PM, ensuring a reasonable arrival time back in Bangkok. (Note: There are local shops and restaurants near the dam that offer food, drinks, and souvenirs. These vendors also pack up and leave when it's time to depart.)

As we prepared to leave, the dam's tourism and railway officials bid us farewell with a traditional Thai dance and drumming performance at the station.

Such hospitality is truly unique to Thailand.

We're leaving now.

See you on the next trip.....

One last photo.