Thailand’s Ministry of Transport is partnering with hospitality giant Minor International to develop the country’s first luxury tourist train network, following the introduction of the Rail Transport Act 2026. The initiative is designed to attract high-spending international visitors, create new revenue streams for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and support economic growth in rural areas along key rail routes.

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The project has been accelerated after the enactment of the Rail Transport Act 2026, which deregulates Thailand’s rail sector and allows private companies to invest in, co-own, and operate rolling stock and rail services on the SRT network for the first time. The legislation is intended to maximise the economic value of the country’s rail infrastructure beyond its traditional role as a transport system.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the new high-end rail routes are intended to distribute tourism income more widely by directing affluent travellers to both primary and secondary provinces. The Ministry of Transport will coordinate with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to develop integrated travel itineraries and schedules across multiple provinces.

Minor International (MINT), which operates luxury hospitality brands including Anantara, has formally committed to the venture. Chairman William E. Heinecke confirmed on Wednesday 24 June 2026, that the company is preparing a formal Letter of Intent (LOI) to support its participation in the project.

Under the proposed arrangement, Minor International will provide access to advanced engineering designs and rolling-stock technology through its European rail partners. The luxury train carriages will be assembled in Thailand, with local master artisans responsible for bespoke interior design and outfitting, supported by skills development and training programmes.

The partnership will complement the SRT’s ongoing “Siamese Train” project, which is being developed with the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency and focuses on domestic rolling-stock refurbishment and modernisation.

The Nation reported that officials expect the combination of private-sector hospitality expertise and state rail infrastructure to help improve the long-term financial sustainability of the SRT. The initiative also reflects a broader government strategy to shift Thailand’s tourism sector from a volume-driven model towards a premium, high-yield approach aimed at supporting regional economies, employment and local supply chains.

Pictures courtesy of The Nation

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 26 June 2026

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Seems similar to Vietnam’s premier luxury private sleeper train SJourney, providing an 8-day, 7-night journey between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It features 5-star Indochine-style private cabins, a 24/7 Bistro Car with regional fine dining, a wellness area, and all-inclusive off-board cultural excursions.

a broader government strategy to shift Thailand’s tourism sector from a volume-driven model towards a premium, high-yield approach

Any chance of a premium, high-speed approach?

Expect this project to be derailed.

I'd go for it... If the rolling stock is adequate and the schedule looks good to actually enjoy the scenery. I'd even go for breaking the trip up into several days and spend some time and money in hotels along the way.

One of my ambitions was to take a train from KL (where I had some contract work) to BKK (where my contract had lapsed, but I was living). I wanted to see the sites and experience a train ride. Never again. The sites were amazing, but the trains were dismal, in Thailand and Malaysia. Malaysia's trains were better, but no place to even sit because it was a holiday and they sold more tickets than they had seats. By the time I got to Bangkok, I was so ready for the trip to be over. Sadly, a lot of the truly scenic areas in Thailand came when it was dark outside. Live and learn.

Even now, one of my favorite weekends in Thailand is to take the dilapidated train on the death railway to Kanchanaburi. But that's just 3 hours (or so). Even that gets a little old after a couple of hours of sitting on planks. But the history...

I'd love to take a leisurely train ride from BKK to CM or CR or 3 Pagodas or Hat Yai. But not on a cattle car.

Edit: BTW, shameless plug... I stopped over in Songkhla town (BP Samila Beach) for a few days during my KL-BKK trip and it was delightful. I love that place.

Don't get me wrong, I would very much like to see this project come to fruition. In my lifetime. And the fact that Bill Heinecke and Minor Group are planning to invest says something. Bill doesn't just jump into things without deep analysis. He and his team must be having some interesting conversations with people in the government. However . . .

The Ministry of Transport is involved. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is involved. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is involved. The SRT will have to be involved. Got enough people involved? Will there be enough tea money to pass around to everyone.

Finally, there's mention of new rolling stock but there's no discussion about any improvements or upgrades to the rail beds. Or improved safety at rail crossings. That should be top of mind in Thailand after the recent tragedy in Bangkok.

By the way, what ever happened to the Eastern & Oriental Express that went from Thailand, into Malaysia and on to Singapore? It's still running in Malaysia and Singapore but not in Thailand. I wonder why. (Actually I don't wonder, but it's just a theory on my part.)

Anyway, good luck everyone.

I hope they can find a way to work around the killjoy "no-alcohol" on trains policy

8 minutes ago, 8OA8 said:

I hope they can find a way to work around the killjoy "no-alcohol" on trains policy

You are funny. On a luxury train where the passengers are paying top dollar that would be the last thing you have to worry about.

A "bucket list" trip for me was taking the Eastern & Orient Express train from Bangkok to Singapore in 2017. Three nights with day stops at the Kwai Bridge/Death Rail Museum, In Malaysia. Private compartment with bathroom, meals, evening entertainment. Orient Express like carriages. Pricey at $3,000 usd but enjoyed highly.

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Seems similar to Vietnam’s premier luxury private sleeper train SJourney, providing an 8-day, 7-night journey between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It features 5-star Indochine-style private cabins, a 24/7 Bistro Car with regional fine dining, a wellness area, and all-inclusive off-board cultural excursions.

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Seems similar to Vietnam’s premier luxury private sleeper train SJourney, providing an 8-day, 7-night journey between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It features 5-star Indochine-style private cabins, a 24/7 Bistro Car with regional fine dining, a wellness area, and all-inclusive off-board cultural excursions.

What the heck is a wellness area on a train ?? Is that where all the people that are not sick so they are otherwise well go as opposed to the next carriage where all the sick people are.???

What the heck is a wellness area on a train ??

I suspect it's a place to stretch your legs and get some exercise after sitting for hours on your keyster.

Sounds like a great amenity. Especially if you can also get a massage. (and boost the economy)

Don't get me wrong, I would very much like to see this project come to fruition. In my lifetime. And the fact that Bill Heinecke and Minor Group are planning to invest says something.

I wonder if part of their plan is to build (or acquire) hotels along the way? If they can get them on the cheap (because they're currently inaccessible without the train stops), that could be a goldmine for them. I hope their "plan" encompasses a lot more than a train ride. They could really open up a lot of Thailand to more (and wealthier) tourism if they do it right.

2 hours ago, impulse said:

I wonder if part of their plan is to build (or acquire) hotels along the way? If they can get them on the cheap (because they're currently inaccessible without the train stops), that could be a goldmine for them. I hope their "plan" encompasses a lot more than a train ride. They could really open up a lot of Thailand to more (and wealthier) tourism if they do it right.

I would suggest Bangkok Kanchanaburi Nam Tok in luxury carriages.....pulled by a steam train.

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

to develop the country’s first luxury tourist train network,

Let us hope the unmanned level crossings are fitted with automatic safety gear!!

6 hours ago, impulse said:

I'd go for it... If the rolling stock is adequate and the schedule looks good to actually enjoy the scenery. I'd even go for breaking the trip up into several days and spend some time and money in hotels along the way.

One of my ambitions was to take a train from KL (where I had some contract work) to BKK (where my contract had lapsed, but I was living). I wanted to see the sites and experience a train ride. Never again. The sites were amazing, but the trains were dismal, in Thailand and Malaysia. Malaysia's trains were better, but no place to even sit because it was a holiday and they sold more tickets than they had seats. By the time I got to Bangkok, I was so ready for the trip to be over. Sadly, a lot of the truly scenic areas in Thailand came when it was dark outside. Live and learn.

Even now, one of my favorite weekends in Thailand is to take the dilapidated train on the death railway to Kanchanaburi. But that's just 3 hours (or so). Even that gets a little old after a couple of hours of sitting on planks. But the history...

I'd love to take a leisurely train ride from BKK to CM or CR or 3 Pagodas or Hat Yai. But not on a cattle car.

Edit: BTW, shameless plug... I stopped over in Songkhla town (BP Samila Beach) for a few days during my KL-BKK trip and it was delightful. I love that place.

To be honest I've never found a lot of enjoyable scenery along the train routes, and I've taken them all. Hoping for the high-speed to Kunming soon.

I support luxury train service like the Orient Express for those who can afford it.

I know I'll never be able to.

6 hours ago, Front Row said:

Don't get me wrong, I would very much like to see this project come to fruition. In my lifetime. And the fact that Bill Heinecke and Minor Group are planning to invest says something. Bill doesn't just jump into things without deep analysis. He and his team must be having some interesting conversations with people in the government. However . . .

The Ministry of Transport is involved. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is involved. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is involved. The SRT will have to be involved. Got enough people involved? Will there be enough tea money to pass around to everyone.

Finally, there's mention of new rolling stock but there's no discussion about any improvements or upgrades to the rail beds. Or improved safety at rail crossings. That should be top of mind in Thailand after the recent tragedy in Bangkok.

By the way, what ever happened to the Eastern & Oriental Express that went from Thailand, into Malaysia and on to Singapore? It's still running in Malaysia and Singapore but not in Thailand. I wonder why. (Actually I don't wonder, but it's just a theory on my part.)

Anyway, good luck everyone.

Yes, it would be a great way to see the country.

I kind of think it’s being done the wrong way round though.

I would have thought that you would need to focus on train tracks, network and rolling stock to get the thing going. Those seem to me to be the foundations of the house, so to speak.

I’m sure there are some pretty pictures to show around, but without cold hard cash to get these things ordered AND built, this is likely to be a talking shop project that is light on delivery.

It is actually the sort of thing that TAT should be focusing on because it would represent a move up market for Thailands tourism product. More so than Pattaya bars being open all night anyway.

8 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Seems similar to Vietnam’s premier luxury private sleeper train SJourney, providing an 8-day, 7-night journey between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It features 5-star Indochine-style private cabins, a 24/7 Bistro Car with regional fine dining, a wellness area, and all-inclusive off-board cultural excursions.

Wow! That’s an expensive trip. At least it includes complimentary water.

Good initiaitve. But Thailand has 'narrow gauge' tracks, doesn't it? Hence the carriages are pretty narrow too. I didn't read anything in the report about whether new tracks would be installed, but I guess they can still make a narrow luxury train.

12 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

Good initiaitve. But Thailand has 'narrow gauge' tracks, doesn't it? Hence the carriages are pretty narrow too. I didn't read anything in the report about whether new tracks would be installed, but I guess they can still make a narrow luxury train.

The Oriental Express is narrow gauge, it's fine.

7 hours ago, Front Row said:

what ever happened to the Eastern & Oriental Express that went from Thailand, into Malaysia and on to Singapore?

Thanks, for reference Google

The Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Express currently bypasses Thailand becauseoperator Belmond redesigned its itineraries exclusively for Malaysia. While the luxury train returned to the tracks after a pandemic-induced suspension, all journeys are now strictly round-trips from Singapore that focus on Malaysian destinations like Penang, Langkawi, and Taman Negara.

The exclusion of Thailand stems from a strategic overhaul of the train's routes rather than an outright ban, allowing the company to offer deeper, immersive cultural experiences in Malaysia.

7 hours ago, impulse said:

I'd love to take a leisurely train ride from BKK to CM or CR or 3 Pagodas or Hat Yai. But not on a cattle car.

A mooo-ving experience.

48 minutes ago, Airalee said:

Wow! That’s an expensive trip. At least it includes complimentary water.

I assume that at those prices, you get to keep your rail car at the end of the trip.

The Oriental Express is narrow gauge, it's fine.

+1

I don't know that the track gauge is a deal killer. To use an imperfect analogy, you can move a lot of people around at a low unit cost on a wide body A380. But a narrow body Gulfstream is pretty nice, too. You just have to charge (a lot) more for the tickets.

I don't claim to be an expert on Thai (or any) trains, but it seems to me as if they currently cater mostly to moving average locals and cargo around at a low unit cost. I'm hoping this project is looking toward the more upscale market. Well heeled Thais, and foreign tourists who aren't just trying to get somewhere.

Reminds me THE ORIENT EXPRESS. I really doubt this could be a financial success story. I think this project will only attire an handfull afficionados who like to spend hours and hours on a train watching the buffalo's in the rice fields. The normai tourist wants to go asap from point A to point B.

CONCLUSION, I wouldn't by any share from hospitality giant Minor International managed by some lunatics.

11 hours ago, Front Row said:

Don't get me wrong, I would very much like to see this project come to fruition. In my lifetime. And the fact that Bill Heinecke and Minor Group are planning to invest says something. Bill doesn't just jump into things without deep analysis. He and his team must be having some interesting conversations with people in the government. However . . .

The Ministry of Transport is involved. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is involved. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is involved. The SRT will have to be involved. Got enough people involved? Will there be enough tea money to pass around to everyone.

Finally, there's mention of new rolling stock but there's no discussion about any improvements or upgrades to the rail beds. Or improved safety at rail crossings. That should be top of mind in Thailand after the recent tragedy in Bangkok.

By the way, what ever happened to the Eastern & Oriental Express that went from Thailand, into Malaysia and on to Singapore? It's still running in Malaysia and Singapore but not in Thailand. I wonder why. (Actually I don't wonder, but it's just a theory on my part.)

Anyway, good luck everyone.

11 hours ago, Front Row said:

By the way, what ever happened to the Eastern & Oriental Express that went from Thailand, into Malaysia and on to Singapore? It's still running in Malaysia and Singapore but not in Thailand. I wonder why. (Actually I don't wonder, but it's just a theory on my part.)

Anyway, good luck everyone

I was thinking that I can remember seeing the E & O train at Hualamphong railway station when I used to do a visa run, used to be a lot about it in the press at the time, not as luxurious as this new setup, at the time it seemed popular.

Interesting to see if they can get it to run on time, more than the regular service to the south of Thailand did.

Was it a casualty of Covid?.

It's Minor International. Will we be able to get a decent pizza on the train?

4 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

It's Minor International. Will we be able to get a decent pizza on the train?

No, because it's Minor International. 😆

20 hours ago, kickstart said:

I was thinking that I can remember seeing the E & O train at Hualamphong railway station when I used to do a visa run, used to be a lot about it in the press at the time, not as luxurious as this new setup, at the time it seemed popular.

Interesting to see if they can get it to run on time, more than the regular service to the south of Thailand did.

Was it a casualty of Covid?.

I’m speculating about when and why E&O discontinued service in Thailand. It was after there was a serious derailment of an E&O train. If I remember correctly, the rail bed was washed out and the train derailed. Covid may also have been a contributing factor. I really don’t know.

5 hours ago, Front Row said:

I’m speculating about when and why E&O discontinued service in Thailand. It was after there was a serious derailment of an E&O train. If I remember correctly, the rail bed was washed out and the train derailed. Covid may also have been a contributing factor. I really don’t know.

For reference (again)

The Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Express currently bypasses Thailand becauseoperator Belmond redesigned its itineraries exclusively for Malaysia. While the luxury train returned to the tracks after a pandemic-induced suspension, all journeys are now strictly round-trips from Singapore that focus on Malaysian destinations like Penang, Langkawi, and Taman Negara.

The exclusion of Thailand stems from a strategic overhaul of the train's routes rather than an outright ban, allowing the company to offer deeper, immersive cultural experiences in Malaysia.