The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has taken delivery of the first batch of 39 out of a total order of 115 carriages from the China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. Under the terms of the contract, the remainder of the carriages are due to be shipped to Thailand before the end of September.
SRT governor Wutthichart Kallayanamitr said recently that the new carriages would be utilised on four main rail routes. He noted that the first route to get the upgraded trains would be the flagship Bangkok to Chiang Mai one. An anonymous source has since confirmed the carriages will replace those used on northbound Train 13 and the southbound Train 14.
The SRT says it will then gradually add the new carriages to two trains a day on routes from Bangkok Hua Lamphong Station to Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani and Hat Yai. Despite the fact the new trains incorporate plush upholstery, media players and modern bathrooms, 12GO says there will be no hike in the cost of ticket prices.
Sleek new Thai railway bogeys to launch on key northbound route
News in Asia
Thailand’s national rail operator says brand new carriages are to be deployed on a premium service between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The carriages provide a travel experience akin to flying with comfort enhancing features and a sleekness designed to propel Thai rail travel into the 21st century.