So on the way back to Bangkok i took one of the newer sleepers back. It was very different than the original sleeper, much nicer, much better facilities, a true restaurant/food service. It’s more expensive food than off the train but is safe and well presented. You still need a night mask for sleeping due to lights but it was very nice.
It was interesting seeing the crew line up for the next train. The service and pride people take is very high.
There was AC, reasonable beds though they were quite long enough for me! oh well lol. There was a single urinal and 2 double bathrooms per cabin and the food was good but a little spicy of course 🙂
My journey was with 2 English people – Emma and Paul (both solo travelers). It was interesting because Paul had done the Khaosan moon party which he said was pretty much a regular party – on his way to another bar though his long boat and hit rocks and flipped over 100M from shore, they’d had to swim (which having fallen overboard at night is bloody scary). There had only been 2 lifejackets and 1 of the non swimmers was wearing one of them.
I am always surprised with the number of people I meet who can’t swim. I consider it an essential life skill as 80% of the earth is water.