Wutthichart Kallayanamitr explained that SRT was in the process of buying a total of 115 new bogies from China’s CNR Corporation. The first 13 carriages were due to arrive in Thailand last weekend, but have been delayed by monsoon season storms. They are now scheduled to arrive before the end of the month.
According to the terms of the contract, the rest of the carriages are due in Thailand by November. The rolling stock upgrade is being paid for out of a THB176 billion government budget allocation to improve the rail travel experience in Thailand. The order comprises 88 second class sleeper carriages plus nine each of first class sleeper carriages, dining cars and power-generator bogies.
In an interview with a Chulalongkorn University radio station presenter, governor Kallayanamitr said the new carriages would provide passengers with an enhanced travel experience. He finished off by saying SRT would eventually replace carriages on express train services from Bangkok to Padang Besar, Nong Khai and Ubon Ratchathani with the new ones.
The four rail routes earmarked for the carriage upgrade are the main ones in Thailand. 12GO ASIA sells tickets for these routes plus other bus and train services serving destinations throughout the nation.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains to get first batch of new carriages
News in Asia
Thailand’s national rail operator says Bangkok-Chiang Mai trains will be the first to utilise soon-to-arrive new rolling stock. The governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said modern carriages will replace antiquated ones from November onwards.