Slowing Down in Spite of Mr Speedy

The start of Trang to Bangkok – overnight train

We booked the 11 am minibus to Trang which gave us time for a short wander around the part of Satun we’d stayed in. The markets smelt of fish and there were cats everywhere. There were plants in pots in front of a lot of houses that opened directly onto the street with the front room as a shop. Business seemed to involve buying something in bulk and repackaging into smaller bags to sell – ice, rice, charcoal? People stared at us. It might have been our foreignness, but was just as likely to be because we were getting around on foot in the heat. Everyone else was on scooters.

The minibus was modern, air conditioned and driven by Mr Speedy. In the two plus hours to Trang, no one overtook us and he drove significantly faster than the other drivers. One of the local women on the bus shook her head at a few of his antics. I have to admit, he didn’t cross unbroken lines and he tooted every vehicle as he drew level with them. I took this as being a thank you for getting out of my way toot, but they didn’t have much choice.

The hills on the way were those ones that jut steeply out of the ground. There was forest and rubber tree plantations, given away by the tap on each tree. Around the houses banana plants were mixed with other lush green things. There has been a change in the styles of houses and shops but I can’t easily describe it.

We wandered around Trang for a few hours. Being Sunday it was quiet and mostly closed up. Lots of buildings are brightly painted, while lots of others are the ubiquitous grey of needing a new coat of paint. Tuk tuks made their first appearance. English signs have almost disappeared. In certain fonts, some Thai characters resemble English ones so my brain keeps trying to read the signs and stumbling over.

Late in the afternoon we got on the overnight train to Bangkok, the first time either of us have had sleepers on a train. It was enjoyable to just sit, relax, spread out, settle in for the night. It was also nice to have a slower day today.