Luxury train travel in Thailand

Luxury train in Thailand: from the Eastern & Oriental Express to the Blue Jasmine

Luxury train travel in Thailand has followed a singular and evolving path. For many years, travelers searching for a luxury train in Thailand had only one iconic reference in mind: the Eastern & Oriental Express, a cross-border journey linking Singapore and Bangkok. Today, while no traditional luxury train operates entirely within Thailand, a new chapter has opened with the arrival of a different kind of experience - the Blue Jasmine.

This evolution reflects a shift in how high-end rail travel is conceived in Southeast Asia, moving from palace-style trains toward more discreet, culturally grounded journeys.

Pioneer of luxury train travel in Thailand: the Eastern & Oriental Express

Luxury train travel in Thailand truly began in September 1993 with the launch of the Eastern & Oriental Express. Behind this ambitious project was James B. Sherwood, the same businessman who, eleven years earlier, had revived the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe.

Founder of the company that would later become Belmond, Sherwood sought to transpose the codes of European luxury rail travel into an exotic setting. His vision was to create a rolling palace inspired by the Orient Express, but set against tropical landscapes rather than Alpine scenery.

A tropical Orient Express: Bangkok ↔ Singapore

The Eastern & Oriental Express was conceived as the Asian counterpart to its European predecessor. Instead of snow-covered mountains, passengers watched tropical forests, palm trees, rice fields, and rural villages glide past their windows. Departures and arrivals took place in the modern megacities of Bangkok and Singapore, symbols of Asia’s cosmopolitan energy.

On board, however, the atmosphere remained unmistakably that of a classic luxury train: wood-paneled carriages, a 1930s-inspired aesthetic, refined fabrics, and a high level of service. Air-conditioned en-suite cabins, hotel-style service, gourmet dining, a bar, and a lounge car defined what was, for nearly three decades, the reference luxury train in Thailand.

The route extended well beyond the country itself. Departing from Singapore, the train traveled north through Malaysia, stopping in Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth–Penang, before entering Thailand. A major stop was Kanchanaburi, prior to arrival in Bangkok.

An exceptional train until 2020 - then an abrupt halt

From 1993 to 2020, the Eastern & Oriental Express was the only luxury train associated with Thailand, even though much of its journey lay outside the country. It offered a rare combination of comfort, exotic scenery, history, and refinement.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought international travel to a standstill, forcing the suspension of operations. When Belmond relaunched the train in 2024, a major shift had occurred: Thailand was removed from the itinerary. Routes are now entirely focused on Malaysia, with journeys linking Singapore to destinations such as Langkawi, Penang, and Taman Negara.

Today, the Eastern & Oriental Express can no longer be considered a luxury train in Thailand, but rather a Malaysian luxury train.

Rail travel within Thailand, of course, continued via regular services. The country retains a distinct old-fashioned rail charm, with colonial-era stations and sleeper compartments. Journalist Jean-Marc de Jaeger, author of Traveling by Train in Asia, even considers Thailand one of the most enjoyable countries in Asia to explore by rail. However, these simple and picturesque trains do not meet the expectations of travelers seeking a high-end experience.

A new chapter for high-end train travel in Thailand with the Blue Jasmine

After several years without any high-end rail offering, the launch of the Blue Jasmine Train in 2025 marks a turning point. While often associated with searches for a luxury train in Thailand, the Blue Jasmine is not positioned as a luxury train in the traditional sense.

Instead, it offers a premium rail experience, built around comfort, restrained design, and deep cultural immersion, without the theatrical codes of classic palace trains.

Passenger numbers are intentionally limited to 37, though in practice groups usually consist of around twenty travelers, reinforcing the intimacy of the experience. Cabins are elegantly appointed, some with private bathrooms. The atmosphere is sober, classic, and highly comfortable, favoring calm and quality over spectacle.

The aesthetic identity of the train is shaped by Jim Thompson, the renowned Thai textile house founded in 1951 by an American who played a key role in reviving traditional Thai silk. Fabrics, cushions, quilts, and towels on board all bear the brand’s signature. This strong textile partnership significantly elevates the standing of this premium train in Thailand, without pushing it into overt luxury.

Onboard gastronomy is another highlight, with a dedicated chef accompanying the journey. Each stop also includes carefully curated — and often exclusive — cultural visits.

A new approach to high-end rail travel in Thailand

The Blue Jasmine does not attempt to replicate the traditional codes of European luxury trains, often associated with formal dress codes, white-gloved service, and opulent décor. It proposes a different model: a premium journey defined by small group travel, carefully selected hotels and restaurants, and a more relaxed rhythm.

Unlike the short itineraries once offered by the Eastern & Oriental Express, the Blue Jasmine proposes a nine-day journey, including two nights aboard the train and six nights in four-star hotels. The itinerary is entirely Thai, departing from Bangkok and stopping in Ayutthaya, Uthai Thani, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and Si Satchanalai, before returning to the capital. This format allows for a gradual immersion in Thailand’s culture, history, and landscapes.

Easier access to off-the-beaten-path destinations

One of the key strengths of the Blue Jasmine lies in its ability to reach regions that are otherwise difficult to access. Uthai Thani, for example, boasts an impressive religious heritage but is challenging to visit independently. Sukhothai, the cradle of the Thai kingdom, does not have a direct railway station.

Thanks to a carefully designed itinerary and integrated logistics, these destinations become seamless parts of the journey. For travelers searching online for a luxury train in Thailand, the Blue Jasmine offers not a palace on rails, but a refined, intelligent alternative — one rooted in comfort, culture, and discovery.

Since 1993, the story of train travel in Thailand has gone through several phases: the golden era of the Eastern & Oriental Express, its disappearance from the country, and today, the arrival of a premium train proposing a genuinely new vision of high-end rail travel.