Chaiya Station—Surat Thani, Thailand. - Train Stations/Depots on Waymarking.com

A thousand years ago Chaiya was a mighty city (relatively speaking), capital, or at least a co-capital, or a possibly a subordinate capital of the mighty Srivijaya Empire, which ruled much of what is now Malaysia, Sumatra and Java. Wealth flowed into the city from the 'Thai Silk Route'—goods carried across the narrow Thai peninsula from Europe and the Middle East bound for China, while silk and other precious items from the far east were transported westwards. This city and region was alive with the voices of a hundred countries, with traders and merchants, artisans and labourers vying for success and wealth, profit and glory.

Now, the shifting sands of time and fate have rendered Chaiya no more than a small town of a few thousand people, not even a capital of its own Thai province—a town of past glory and faded dreams, nestled amongst rice farms and quiet rivers—and a sizeable number of archaeological sites.

The train station for this small town is located at the town centre, and it is a busy spot. Shops and markets fill the area. The station is small, but appropriate for the town. It consists of an entrance way facing the main road (waymark location), a central ticket counter, which leads directly to the train line at which folk wait patiently for their train to arrive. The line leads north to Bangkok and south to Malaysia. There are toilets, but no food or drink, however, there are several restaurants and 'street food' outside the station. The town lies within the borders of the province of Surat Thani, 600kms or so south of Bangkok.

Is the station/depot currently used for railroad purposes?: Yes Is the station/depot open to the public?: Yes What rail lines does/did the station/depot serve?: Bangkok <--> Hat Yai Station/Depot Web Site: [Web Link] If the station/depot is not being used for railroad purposes, what is it currently used for?: Not listed

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