Brighty Sunflowers Thailand Off The Beaten Track This Winter
Thailand’s winter season is here. Yupe, there is winter season, in addition to summer and rainy season. Surprise, dontcha?!
Winter breeze has started blowing, and this means it’s time for brighty sunflowers!
Lopburi province is where you need to be. It is a small province in the Central region, around 150km north of Bangkok. It takes approximately 2.5-3 hours drive from Bangkok.
Due to its close proximity to Bangkok, many locals visit sunflower fields as day trip during winter season. Expect to pay a minimum 10 baht (no dual-pricing, foreigners pay the same price as locals), to enter the sunflower fields.
Some farms even have props for photo, and there was even one field that provide elephant ride (tsk!).
You will be able to buy sunflower-related souvenirs at these farms, such as sunflower seeds, umbrellas, t-shirts, etc.
Many sites state that the Sunflower Festival is from November to March. I think, November to January would be the safe bet, when the sunflowers are in full bloom.
But, the farms take turn in planting the sunflowers. This is to ensure that there are blooming flowers during this period. If you are driving (the best transportation method), just drive till you see farms with blooming sunflowers, whichever period you go.
Normally, you need not fret if you ain’t driving.
Kudos to the State Railway of Thailand, they have been running special tourist trains from Hualamphong station for few years. The train goes only on the weekend and public holidays, and only in the month of December.
The route is as such that it departs from Bangkok’s Hualamphong station to Pa Sak Cholasit Dam. That train does not take the northern line to Lopburi, but rather the Northeast line toward Nong Khai (using the bypass over the lake formed by the Pa Sak Cholasit Dam).
The tickets normally sell like hot cakes. So, make sure you get yours as soon as you can. The train departs from Hualamphong station 6am+, and you will get back to the same station around 12 hours later.
As I couldn’t find 2015 information in their website here, I called their hotline 1690 (Press 9 for English, and 1 for State Railway of Thailand). I was informed that there won’t be any train service this year, due to drought problem. There is a delay in blooming for the sunflowers.The staff told me that there might be other sunflower fields at Lopburi province. It is possible to take a train to Saraburi, but will need to make arrangements, to go to these fields.
Update Dec 2016
Again, I was unable to find any updated info on the State Railway of Thailand’s website. I called them on 1 Dec 2016 to find out if there’a any special tourist train to the sunflower fields. It seems that State Railway Thailand still has yet to release any info until now … so, no boo … no train yet again. I was told that there is not enough water / water level too level at the Pa Sak Cholasit dam.
I was advised to take a train to Pa Sak Cholasit dam: Express train 75, 820am-11am, 2nd class ac @ 286 baht, based on my indicative travel date on 11 Dec. The ticket can only be purchased on the travel date itself at the train station.
I was attended by Khun Yutthana, who speaks seriously good English for a Thai nationality. He told me that he has only started work for 2 months, but yet he was able to provide detailed info. I wanted to send an compliment email, but there isn’t any channel to do so … aiks.
Update Jan 2017
The special train trips are back, and here are the dates: Jan 14,15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 and the ticket cost is 270 baht for a round-trip ticket. For more info, check here and here (in Thai).
Update Nov 2017
News about sunflowers in Lopburi has started appearing here … so, can start planning trip to the sunflower fields. The tourist train to Pa Sak Cholasit dam and Saraburi sunflower fields for 2017/2018 are confirmed on Saturdays and Sundays as below:
- Nov 2017: 18,19,25,26 Nov
- Dec 2017: 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24 Dec
- January 2018: 13,14,20,21,27 Jan
Price: 270 baht
Itinerary (Translated from Thai using Google Translate):
** Depart from Bangkok Station at 07.10 hrs. Stop at Samsen Railway Station, Bangsue, Bangkhen, Laksi, Don Mueang, Rangsit, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Kaeng Khoi, The highlight of this trip is the view point. “Floating train” at Khok Salung Then, stop at Pasak Dam at 10.40 am.
In addition, the Lopburi. Organized activities such as the show of Thai Bang community lifestyle. Display and distribution of OTOP products. Visit the Museum of History, construction of the Pasak Dam, Aquarium, goat farm, sheep farm, sunflower garden. Horse-drawn carriage is also available. Tram service runs through the dam to worship the great Wang Muang. With Saraburi
** Return from Pasak Dam stop at 15.30 hrs. Stop at Kaeng Sua Pier, Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Rangsit, Don Muang, Laksi, Bang Sue, Samsen and then arrive at Bangkok Station at 6.30.
– Pasak Dam – Bangkok Baht 270 per person. No discount for all types (use a bogey ride, 3rd floor, renovation of the whole procession).
Ticket sales: Buy all stations nationwide or Reservations can be made by phone number 1690 (advance 5 days).
For more information, call 1690 hotline.
Visited the sunflower fields twice, and it’s one of my top 3 favorites off the beaten track in Thailand! I was even thinking of going on a solo trip via tourist train … next year, then.
State Railway of Thailand
Hotline: 1690 (Press 9 for English, and 1 for State Railway of Thailand)
Website: http://www.railway.co.th/main/index_en.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pr.railway
Email: webmaster.srt@railway.co.th
Beautiful bloom..love to visit this someday 😉
Want to go this year ? *wink
Hi there! Do you know the name of sunflower farm where they offer elephant rides coz’ we would like to visit the place this coming Jan. or next. Thanks!
Hi Riz,
As the sunflower is seasonal, we usually do not have any specific farms in mind. Reason being a specific farm will be closed when the season has passed, i.e. when the flowers are no longer blooming.
The good thing about these farms are they ‘space out’ their planting time. So, you’ll still be able to visit the next one down the road. That’s what my bf did, driving along the road till we find one with blooming sunflowers.
Hope this helps.
I see… ok, tks for the info!
No problem, Riz. Let me know if you need any other info, cheers
Hi there… wanna know your inputs which place better to visit inApril this year for sunflower : Saraburi or Lopburi ? I know the peak blooming has been over.
does it easy to negotiate with taxi or songteuw to drive to sunflower field from train station ?
Hi Juliana,
I think both Saraburi and Lopburi are great. In fact, if your intention is mainly to see sunflower fields – there are also options at Khao Yai and in Bangkok itself. Will suggest to (try to) check closer to April whether there are still any sunflower in season. I highly doubt so though, because April is the hottest month and sunflower blooms during cold season.
As for the last part of your question, I saw this post in Tripadvisor and I thought that it provides all the info you need: https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowTopic-g303912-i20025-k8019087-My_experience_of_going_to_the_sunflower_field_in_Lop_Buri-Lop_Buri_Lopburi_Province.html
Hope this helps.
Hello! Love your blog 🙂
I would like to ask where to find out if there are still sunflowers by mid Feb 2017? There’s an upcoming long weekend and I’m planning to go to Lopburi again to visit the farms. It’s really beautiful. 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Vanessa,
Thanks so much for your kind words – it means a lot to me 🙂
Since the SRT (State Railway of Thailand) hv their special trains running until end Jan 2017, I wouldn’t be too worry about missing the sunflower blooms. In the past, the train usually run in the month of December. Unfortunate, there is no info hub to find out whether the sunflower is still in season … if I were in your shoe, I would just contact some travel agent online and check with them whether they have any tour ..that shall do the trick *wink*
All the best .. let me know if you need any other info.
Hi, any idea if there’s any sunflower in mid august at khao Yai? 🙂
Or July period
Hi Yvonne,
I am afraid that July/August are too early for the sunflower season, as it usually starts in Nov/Dec.
Hi, i really appreciate your update on this special train trips.
i planning to go Bangkok this coming December and stay until new year.
maybe perhaps you know the latest update for 2017/2018 schedule.
will be a great help!
thank you
Hi Exaty,
I am afraid that State Railway of Thailand has yet to release info about the tourist train. I’ll make a note to check their website again ..
Hi Exaty,
Information on State Railway Thailand’s Facebook on 8 Nov 2017 https://www.facebook.com/pr.railway – The tourist train to Pa Sak Cholasit dam and Saraburi sunflower fields for 2017/2018 are confirmed on Saturdays and Sundays as below:
Nov 2017: 18,19,25,26 Nov
Dec 2017: 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24 Dec
January 2018: 13,14,20,21,27
I’ve also updated my blog with the latest info.
Happy planning!
Hi. I am going on 26 november 2017. When can i start to buy the train tickets. Understand that this year the train will not stop at the sunflower fields. So how can i going to see the sunflowers. Is it very far from the dam where the train stops.
Thank you much.
Hi Alison,
I called 1690 hotline yesterday, and was told that reservation is full until Jan 2018!
Thanks for pointing out that the train won’t be stopping at the sunflower fields. You might want to consider taking a local train to Saraburi instead.
Hello. I love your blog! I’m planning a trip to Thailand this coming April 2018. Do you think there are sunflower fields still open? I mean, do sunflowers still bloom on April? I will be joining Songkran festival next year & planning a side trip to a sunflower field. I hope you can help me with this one. Thank youuuuu! 🌻🌻🌻
Hi Geneva,
Thanks!
April is the hottest month in Thailand – sunflower season usually ends in Jan, when it’s the end of ‘winter’ season