In the heart of Bangkok, on a not-so-ordinary day of January 7, 2025, passengers casually strolled past a train at the Hua Lamphong railway station, little knowing about the imminent evolution of their railway experience. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is charting an ambitious course, earmarking a hefty budget of 24.1 billion baht to replace the aging fleet of railcars that have dutifully served passengers for three decades. These newfangled railcars are poised to rejuvenate the railways, bringing about a fresh wave of excitement among travelers.
“We’re not just talking about routine updates here,” declared SRT governor Veeris Ammarapala on a crisp Thursday morning. “These railcars will take over our current long-distance trains and bolster our double-track rail services, allowing us to serve even more passengers along expanded routes.” The SRT is set on positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the transportation sector, aiming to woo passengers with reduced fuel consumption, minimized traffic congestion, and an environmentally friendly footprint.
The burgeoning statistics speak for themselves, with about 30.3 million passengers opting for SRT services in the past year, marking an increase from 27.8 million in 2023. This upward trajectory only fuels the SRT’s determination to redefine comfort in rail travel. The plan is to procure 92 air-conditioned diesel railcars with a driver’s cabin and an equal number without the cabin, splitting the budget evenly. The upcoming cars boast a dual-source engine, utilizing diesel and electrical power from cutting-edge batteries.
These state-of-the-art railcars promise an elevated travel experience with designated areas for disabled passengers, onboard WiFi, personal space outfitted with reclining seats, sanitary closed-system toilets, and crisp LED screens, all neatly packed into a package costing an average of 131.25 million baht per car. The journey to acquiring the first fleet, consisting of 60 cars, begins now with an expected landing in Thailand by 2027.
Veeris enthusiastically added, “Our detailed report awaits review by the Ministry of Transport before it sees daylight at the cabinet level. Subject to getting the green light, we project the bidding process will be underway, heating up by July 2026.” If all goes according to plan, these sleek railcars will be seamlessly cruising Thai tracks by April 2030.
Meanwhile, on the international collaboration frontier, SRT is fast-tracking its design work on a novel railway bridge over the vibrant waters of the Mekong River. Positioned as an integral part of the Nong Khai-Vientiane railway link, this four-track marvel will support both regular trains and high-speed models, connecting Thailand and Laos like never before. This Herculean project is currently chest-deep in research, with designs and environmental assessments steaming ahead, targeting a wrap-up by September.
The proposed bridge, marked to rise about 30 meters south of the existing one, ambitiously plans to feature two tracks conforming to a one-meter gauge for conventional trains, and another two tracks built to accommodate 1.435-meter standard high-speed trains. This monumental construction, beginning in 2026, is earmarked for completion by 2029, promising to be a transport revelation.
Moreover, the project envisions a subsequent stage, which encompasses the erection of a supplementary automotive bridge to further bolster connectivity between the two countries. Slated to commence in 2041, this phase will inject two additional lanes into the existing car bridge across the Mekong River, echoing completion by 2044.
As the pages of time turn, the State Railway of Thailand is meticulously crafting a new era of rail travel that is as dynamic as it is innovative. The excitement is palpable as both locals and travelers anticipate a future where getting from point A to point B isn’t just a journey, but an experience brimming with comfort and sophistication.
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