Train Bangkok to Alor Setar for Rebak

In Chiang Mai we were able to book first class sleepers from Bangkok to Hat Yai.  The train apparently splits in Hat Yai with the 1^st class carriage being removed before continuing to Butterworth via Alor Setar.  

Beside the track leaving  Bangkok there is still extensive flooding with some houses immersed half way up lower floor windows.  At one point during the night it sounded as if the train was passing through flood water.

The train stopped for about 10 minutes at Hat Yai Junction while our coach and others were detached. Just enough time to buy a ticket (we were first in the queue and had no difficulty) and find a seat in the 2^nd class coach that was being converted from sleeper to seating.  In many ways – for seating - this coach is more comfortable than the 1^st class but, of course, lacks the privacy of a private 2-berth compartment.

At Padang Besar, the border station, we had to get off with our bags to pass through Thai immigration and Malaysian immigration and customs.

The train attendant suggested that we should get off at Arau, the station for Kuala Perlis, where we could get a ferry to Kuah.  As we know the Kuala Kedah ferry route we opted to stay on.  The attendant may have known something we didn't though as a horde of people, mainly young, got on at Arau, so there was standing room only and we shared our seats. Everyone pealed off at Alor Setar and the station staff called us a taxi for the Kuala Kedah ferry.
After taxi, ferry and taxi we were at the Langasuka jetty in time to catch the 1630 ferry to Rebak and watch the final fly-past of the air show.