Initial inspections by SRT engineers located the flaws and also found that a protective screen on an emergency window had cracked. Governor Wuthichart Kalyanamitra confirmed the firm which had transported the rolling stock from China was responsible for these issues and had promised to rectify them before a formal handover took place.
The governor did note that before the signing over could happen, contractors had to install fixtures like air-conditioners. The units also have to pass track trials. They will first be tested over 30km distances before being put through their paces over 800km journeys.
Governor Kalyanamitra finished off by saying that once all the trials were complete, the carriages would be added to trains serving long distance routes to the likes of Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and Nong Khai. 12GO ASIA is an official ticketing agent for the State Railway of Thailand and is able to book advance travel tickets.
Thai rail company says new carriages pass muster
News in Asia
The State Railway of Thailand says a consignment of new carriages is undamaged and fit for purpose. Scotching rumours that the 39 bogeys were damaged, the SRT’s governor stated that there are a few negligible scratches and defects but nothing major.