Picture courtesy of SRT.

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has approved a 24.15 billion baht procurement plan for 184 new air-conditioned diesel railcars, replacing ageing rolling stock that has been in service for over three decades.

 

SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala confirmed that the project will replace 10 long-distance passenger trains and introduce 52 new trains, 46 for medium-range routes and six for long-distance travel.

 

The procurement includes 92 railcars with driver cabins and 92 without, each costing 131.25 million baht. The SRT will fund the project through a loan guaranteed by the Finance Ministry.

 

A total of 62 upgraded trains will be introduced under the plan. These will replace special express services on key routes, including Sawanaklok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani. Additionally, new express services will be launched on routes serving Phitsanulok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chumphon, and Nong Khai.

 

The new fleet will consist of Hybrid Diesel-Electric Multiple Units (Hybrid DEMU), powered by both diesel engines and battery-operated electric motors. Each train will feature air-conditioned first and second-class carriages, 239 seats, and dedicated spaces for disabled passengers. Additional passenger amenities will include:

 

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• Adjustable seating

• Hygienic closed-system toilets

• LED information screens

• Onboard food and beverage counters

 

The first batch of 60 railcars is expected to enter service by 2030, with projected ridership of 4.81 million passengers per year, generating an estimated 3.47 billion baht annually.

 

The SRT will submit the project for Cabinet approval, with contractor selection set for July 2026 and full implementation by April 2030. This timeline aligns with the completion of Thailand’s double-track railway in 2028 and the opening of new railway lines in 2029.

 

The initiative marks a significant step in modernising Thailand’s railway network, improving travel comfort and efficiency for passengers across the country.

 

-- 2025-01-31

 

 

Again diesel railcars probably to tackle the air pollution... Why not modern electric ones?

1 hour ago, ikke1959 said:

Again diesel railcars probably to tackle the air pollution... Why not modern electric ones?

Thailands railway is not electrified outside Bangkok

4 hours ago, lom said:

Thailands railway is not electrified outside Bangkok

Then it's time to get started.

4 hours ago, lom said:

Thailands railway is not electrified outside Bangkok

Adelaide (Aus) has converted its fleet of diesel railcars to a diesel-hybrid fleet capable of switching seamlessly between operating on diesel power or battery-electric power. The project included the installation of innovative lithium-ion based onboard traction batteries, traction integration modules, and energy management systems, enabling significant savings in energy consumption and emissions. 

 

While not full electric hybrid seems the next best thing. 

Where are the high speed trains they promised linking the airports to major tourist areas? I bet it never happens too scarry advanced for their backwards thinking.

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Again diesel railcars probably to tackle the air pollution... Why not modern electric ones?

Price and infrastructure.

I like the old trains from Bangkok to Trang. The first class cabins, waiter service, bringing you food to the cabin. And yes, the slow clunking of the rails. Having a drink discreetly taken on board (no more alcohol sales on trains because a member of staff had raped then murdered a young girl). I felt safe and secure watching the world go bye-bye slowly.  If the trains become high speed then no more train journeys for me! What could possibly go wrong!!!???

8 hours ago, lom said:

Thailands railway is not electrified outside Bangkok

Indeed states back to the 19th century... 

9 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Again diesel railcars probably to tackle the air pollution... Why not modern electric ones?

 

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The new fleet will consist of Hybrid Diesel-Electric Multiple Units (Hybrid DEMU), powered by both diesel engines and battery-operated electric motors.

A step in the right direction and a whole lot cheaper than the mammoth and probably impractical task of electrifying the complete network.

46 minutes ago, BritScot said:

I like the old trains from Bangkok to Trang. The first class cabins, waiter service, bringing you food to the cabin. And yes, the slow clunking of the rails. Having a drink discreetly taken on board (no more alcohol sales on trains because a member of staff had raped then murdered a young girl). I felt safe and secure watching the world go bye-bye slowly.  If the trains become high speed then no more train journeys for me! What could possibly go wrong!!!???

I appreciate your sentimentality, I love trains too. But I see no mention of 'high speed trains'. They are a different topic altogether.

Now let's get lots of new rail cars for MRT, BTS, and ARL to make them all 6-car trains, which should have been done years ago.