CHOO CHOOO!!!!

12noon sharp. I nearly didn't make it in time to board the train. Although getting there was a no brainer, the traffic jam caught me by surprise.


They are my next door neighbour. Look at the 200 baht chair cum bed. Nice huh.


The guy in yellow. He's my front door neighbour. He looked fierce doesn't he.


And that explains for my face. I didn't smile. Just kept quiet and tensed up my face. Just like him. You don't disturb me, I don't disturb you.


I didn't sleep well last night so that I could doze off during that 12 hours ahead.






Travelling like a true Thai boy.


He gave me an idea.


We stopped for many times in between. Sometimes in places where we weren't scheduled to stop.


Bored out of my wits that I wrote my name on a stone.



Didn't have time to get proper lighting and exposure on this one.


Didn't realise that Hat Yai would be so significant.


The few people who spoke to me on the train.


Moment shots.




Remember the guy whom I said gave me an idea? Well, I took his place and my seat was from then on by the entrance.


With only my Zen Creative playing tunes in my head, I played songs that fitted the atmosphere or the vibe that it was giving me. As the dawn came to greet, I played "Field of Gold" by Sting. It was amazing.....




I was very very cold. I needed to open the door to keep myself sane. I cannot see a still object for more than 5 mins. I'll go bonkers. That's the ony reason why I'm sitting by the door throughout the whole journey.


The different look I give to different people in Thailand. This is the look I give when I'm happy by myself.


The look I give to the Thai people if I don't want anybody to talk to me on the train.


This is the "Oh really?" look.


This is the look I give to the fellow eskimos in Antarctica.


This is the "I want a Ferrari" look. Can't you tell?


As you can see, I was bored out of my wits, that I kept on taking pictures of myself. It was more of experimenting with my new gizmo.


Love ma shoes.


The extra curricular activites that was happening on the train.


Meet Aman.


Meet Aman and don't know who he is. I was actually just minding my own business by the door, as usual, when 3 soldiers came and smoked near my place. I didn't want to talk to any of them so I looked busy with my music. I noticed that they were trying to beckon me but I tried to act blur. That was until one of them poked me and asked me where I was going. I immediately confessed that I cannot speak much Thai and that I wasn't Thai. Still struggling for a longer conversation, he asked,

Aman: Kun pen kon arai kaap? (What nationality are you?)
Jamiel: Pom pen kon Singapore kaap. (I'm Singaporean)
Aman: Oh, Islam.
Jamiel: Yes Islam.
Aman: Ah! Assalamualaikum! Melayu boleh?
Jamiel: Melayu boleh!

Wth. He knows Malay. OUT OF NOWHERE. HE SPEAKS MALAY. He had certainly made my day. For once, I can have a decent conversation with somebody. He's from Pattani. Near the border Thailand and Malaysia. That accounts for his ability to speak the language. There are a lot of Muslims living in both borders. This soldier was from Hua Hin, doing his Basic Military Training for 2 months. It's shitty. Literally. I can't elaborate more on this topic. Very sensitive.


Nevertheless, these drunk soldiers made my day by posing for my blog.


One more for Singapore lah!


After 14 excruciating hours, I was still not there yet. Even worse, I nearly got off the wrong station because of some misunderstanding with the locals.


Quiet moments.


Pee-cture of the toilet on board.






Had no choice but to wait for the morning bus. It was already 2 am by the time i reached Surat Thani train station. FINALLY!


While taking this photo, the guy behind me snooped in and commented about my camera in Thai. Once again, I told him that I wasn't Thai but I tried to ask him about the first bus the next morning.

Old man: Kun pen kon arai krup? (Where are you from?)
Jamiel: Singapore krup.
Old man: Oh, Malaysia.
Jamiel: Mai, Singapore kaap. Near Malaysia.
Old man: Melayu mai?
Jamiel: Ah! Boleh cakap Melayu! (You can speak Malay?)
Old man: Boleh sikit sikit. (Can, but a lil bit)
Jamiel: Bagus! Bagus!!!

OMG. He didn't even look like a Malay and he could speak Malay. Well, that's because he lives in Pattani. That's why.


Had a short chat with him about where to go and all.


Before he had to leave to greet his daughter and grandchild. Well, at least I have a free lodging for the night. Nobody disturbed me. Good night.

jamiel
i want to be Indiana Jones