There’s a new way to see Thailand – and it’s not from a beach lounger or a rooftop bar.
A brand-new luxury train called The Blue Jasmine will hit the tracks this autumn. It’s designed for lingering over landscapes, with carriages that feel more like a boutique hotel than public transport. Think wraparound windows, quietly luxe interiors, and a pace that makes the journey itself the main event.
From the vibrant, bustling city of Bangkok, the nine-day journey takes in five spectacular provinces, with carefully curated stops in Ayutthaya, Uthai Thani, Chiang Mai and Sukhothai to showcase the best of Thai culture and history.
In Ayutthaya, passengers trade the buzz of Bangkok for a serene lunch beside a lotus pond, followed by a tuk-tuk ride through the city’s majestic, UNESCO-listed temples. From there, the journey turns spiritual in Uthai Thani, where guests offer food to monks before visiting some of Thailand’s most striking temples, including the shimmering Crystal Temple and the dazzling Golden Temple.
Next stop: Chiang Mai. Here, highlights include meeting gentle giants at an ethical elephant sanctuary and dining farm-to-table at a hidden mountaintop retreat, complete with live classical music.
The final chapter unfolds in Sukhothai. After exploring the ancient UNESCO site with a guide, travellers roll up their sleeves at a pottery workshop and step inside a goldsmith’s studio for an exclusive look at the city’s celebrated tradition of gold ornament making.
If this sounds like a bit of you, The Blue Jasmine sets off on its maiden voyage on 16 November, with five more departures lined up for January, February, July, November and December next year.
But you’ll want to act fast – the train carries just 37 passengers, keeping the whole experience intimate and exclusive. As for prices, they start at 195,000 baht (£4,436) per person for a classic cabin in double occupancy and up to 310,000 baht (£7,052) for a premium suite, which even includes a private butler.
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The Blue Jasmine isn’t the only new train on the tracks. From next year, passengers will be able to travel on The Rocky Mountaineer's limited-edition route through the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, while a new all-private-room sleeper train connecting 100 European cities is slated to launch in 2027.
Plans were also recently submitted for a high-speed rail in Nigeria, projected to cost an eye-watering $60 billion. If they get the go-ahead, passengers will see their journey times slashed on trips through Lagos, Aduja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
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