Western tourists enjoy sitting in luggage compartment in Thailand

The luggage compartment is a combination of cramped, hot and noisy, but still makes backpacker Matthew Karsten excited.

Normally, tourists only know about buses with first class cabins with spacious seats, comfortable legroom, many accompanying services and necessary privacy. However, in Thailand, tourists can also choose to sit in the luggage compartment as a way to save costs and have new experiences.

Tourist bus in Thailand. Photo: Matthew Karsten.

Matthew Karsten, travel blogger and owner of Expert Vagabon, recounts his trip to Krabi, Thailand with this interesting experience. “Thailand’s tourist buses are very good, there’s hardly anything to complain about, but they’re not that different from other places,” Karsten said. “But sitting in the luggage compartment, with a bunch of suitcases and bags around, I have to admit it was the strangest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Side entrance. Photo: Matthew Karsten.

“There’s a private entrance underneath the car. That makes me feel special,” Karsten laughs. “Also, I don’t get distracted as much as I would in first class. At least you don’t get tired from the noise from movies, music, or sunlight. There’s only one dim light in the luggage compartment, enough for me to see my reflection in the stainless steel wall, hear the screech of tires on the highway, and hear the roar of the diesel engine.”

Karsten even felt like she was in a free spa. “Sitting in a hot metal box with no windows made me sweat and help me eliminate toxins from my body,” Karsten said with a laugh. “I also got a free massage, with a 5-year-old girl poking my back and an older man rubbing his feet against my hips.”

Passengers crammed into the luggage compartment. Matthew Karsten.

“The luggage compartment also gave me a new experience when I heard a symphony of three different sounds at the same time: a baby crying, a vomiting sound, and a man talking to himself. If you are tired of first-class travel, try traveling in the luggage compartment. You will definitely feel many new things,” Karsten said with a smile.

According to VNE