New modern train makes inaugural run

BANGKOK, Aug 29 (TNA) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) launched new train carriages, making an inaugural run on Monday from Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom before they will be fully in operation this October. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha presided over the inaugural run of the new train carriages and boarded the train from Hua Lumphong to Bang Bamru station in Nakhon Pathom. He was joined by Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, State Railway of Thailand board chairman Pichit Akarathit and SRT governor Wutichart Kallayanamit. New models of passenger carriages were purchased from China Railway Rolling Stock Cooperation (CRRC). The first batch of 39 out of all 155 carriages was handed over to Thailand in July and after the test run, they will be first in service for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai express trains in October. After that, they will be used in other routes from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, Nongkhai and Hat Yai. The new passenger carriages are expected to serve about 900,000 passengers per year in four routes and generate SRT’s income of 1.25 billion baht a year. Each of the special express trains comprise a power car to supply electricity, nine second-class air-conditioned cars, one second-class air-conditioned car for wheel-chair passengers, one first-class air-conditioned car, and one air-conditioned carriage for catering services. The new train will be equipped with CCTV surveillance cameras and WiFi. (TNA)