This new luxury train could be the best way to slow travel in Thailand
Operated by DTH Travel, in collaboration with the State Railway of Thailand, The Blue Jasmine is a carefully restored 1960s sleeper train. It was originally used as a long-distance sleeper train in Japan but will operate only in Thailand when it starts running again later this year.
This new version will be less of a train and more of a boutique hotel on wheels, complete with opulent cabins, seamless service and magnificent views. Gone are the cramped compartments, poorly-lit corridors, and endlessly chatting co-passengers- the Blue Jasmine allows passengers to slow travel in both style and comfort.
In an epic nine-day journey, travellers can go from Bangkok to the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, through the rivers of Uthai Thani and the temples and palaces of Sukhothai, up into the mountains of Chiang Mai, before returning to Bangkok.
This experience appeals to both first-time visitors to Thailand who want to engage deeply with the culture, as well as seasoned travellers who want something different and exciting.
With only 10 painstakingly restored wagons, accommodating only 37 travellers, this train provides a much more intimate and personalised experience. Guests can relax in the Panorama Lounge with craft cocktails while soaking in spectacular views of the lush Thai countryside.
Craft cocktails and pottery-making
The Blue Jasmine offers a range of hospitality and exclusive dining experiences as well, from personalised butler service to international meals cooked by top chefs with fresh, local ingredients.
With three categories of cabins - classic, premium and premium suite - The Blue Jasmine offers several options such as shared or en-suite bathrooms, access to a panorama lounge, private dining in a separate coach and open-air balconies, among others, along with amenities like Wi-Fi.
There are a number of cultural and leisure opportunities available when off the train too, like pottery-making, riverside almsgiving, mountain picnics and silk-weaving. There are two overnights on the train, with travellers spending the rest of the nights in heritage hotels along the way.
'The Blue Jasmine will embody slow travel at its finest- offering passengers the luxury of unhurried discovery, shifting landscapes and deeper cultural connections,' Stefan Bruns, Thailand general manager at DTH Travel, said, as reported by TTG.
However, he emphasises that this experience is not top-tier luxury, but instead, a blend of culture and comfort.
'We are not the Eastern & Oriental Express. We are not that level of luxury. We are a premium train product with specially created excursions,' Bruns said.
The train's first journey will run from 16 November to 24 November. After that, it will also have departures in January, February, March, July, November and December 2026.
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