Rail transport plays a crucial role in connecting various regions of Thailand, transporting both goods and passengers through a range of transportation options that include inter-city and commuter rail, mass rapid transit, monorails, and airport rail links. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) operates a network of intercity railways spanning 4,845.1 kilometers, covering 47 provinces across the country. SRT is committed to developing railway lands through its subsidiary, SRT Asset (SRTA), which focuses on transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives. The Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok serves as the primary transportation hub for rail transport in Thailand, connecting various types of rail transportation throughout the country. It covers an area of 274,192 square meters, making it the largest railway station in Southeast Asia, and is situated in a new central business district (CBD) that is currently being developed.
To further expand and improve its railway network, particularly through the construction of double-track railways, Thailand has invested in several expansion projects. The first phase of this expansion project covers seven routes, two of which have been completed, while the remaining five are under construction. The second phase of the expansion project is expected to begin construction in 2023. There are also plans for 12 new railway routes with a total distance of 2,419 kilometers, which will increase the number of provinces with railways passing through them to 61.
The mass rapid transit system in Bangkok and its surrounding areas has been operating since 1999. It comprises elevated, ground-level, underground, and under-river electric trains, spanning 211.94 kilometers with 11 routes and 141 stations. The network is expanding with five new lines and six extensions currently under construction, bidding, or preparation.
Thailand is also investing in high-speed rail to enhance its rail transport system. Currently, the Bangkok–Nong Khai route and the Bangkok–U-tapao route are under construction, covering 608 kilometers and 220 kilometers, respectively. There are also plans to construct two more high-speed rail lines, the Bangkok-Chiangmai route and the Bangkok-Padang Besar route, in the near future.
History
Rail transport in Thailand has a long and varied history. Its earliest recorded railway-related event dates back to 1855, when King Rama IV received a model railway as a gift from Queen Victoria. The country's first railway line, the Paknam Railway, was built under a 50-year concession with a Danish company and opened to the public in 1894, after being constructed in 1891. Alongside the Paknam Railway, Bangkok also had an early form of rail transport in the form of a tram system. It was initially a horse tram system that started operating on 22 September 1888, and was later electrified in 1892, becoming the first electrified tram system in Asia. The tram system, however, ceased operations on 11 October 1968, after nearly 80 years of service. On the other hand, the Paknam Railway was electrified in 1925 and operated for almost 68 years until its closure on 1 January 1959.
In 1890, King Rama V established the Department of Railways under the Ministry of Public Works to oversee the construction of a railway network in the country. The construction of the Bangkok-Ayutthaya railway began in 1891 and was completed on 26 March 1896, which marked the establishment of the railway business in Thailand. Subsequently, the railway service was extended to Nakhon Ratchasima in 1900, forming the original section of what is now known as the Northeastern Line. The Northern Line, which extended to Chiang Mai, was constructed from Ayutthaya, and the Lopburi segment was the first part of this railway route to become operational, opening for service in 1901. The line to Phetchaburi, later known as the Southern Line, was inaugurated on 19 June 1903, while the Eastern Line connecting Bangkok and Chachoengsao began operations in 1907.
Initially, the Northern, Northeastern, and Eastern Lines were constructed to standard gauge (1,435 mm.) while the Southern Line was built to meter gauge (1,000 mm.). However, in September 1919, a decision was made to regauged all lines to meter gauge, which took 10 years to complete. On 5 June 1917, King Rama VI issued a royal command to change the name of the Department of Railways to Royal State Railways of Siam (RSR) by merging the Northern Railway Department and the Southern Railway Department together. The RSR was later renamed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on 1 July 1951, under Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram.
In 1916, the construction of Bangkok railway station, also known as Hua Lampong railway station, was finished and it was inaugurated during the reign of King Rama VI. Initially erected under the reign of King Rama V, the station served as a crucial railway transportation center in Thailand until Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal was constructed.
In the late 1990s, Thailand's rail transport underwent a modernization with the introduction of rapid transit systems. To organize mass transportation systems in Bangkok and its surrounding areas by electric train, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) was established in 1992. The BTS Skytrain, which was the first rapid transit system in Bangkok, is owned by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), began operations in 1999 and is operated under a concession from the BMA granted to Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC). The Bangkok Metro, with its first line being the Blue Line, is the first underground railway that opened in 2004. It is owned by the MRTA and operated by the Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) under a concession granted by the MRTA. The Airport Rail Link, which opened in 2010 and has transformed commuting in the capital city, is owned by the State Railway of Thailand and operated by its subsidiary, the SRT Electric Train (SRTET). Since then, the government has embarked on several high-speed rail projects to connect different parts of the country. The Bangkok–Nong Khai route, a 606-kilometer line, was initiated in 2014 with an MOU between Thailand and China for co-financing. However, in 2016, the Thai government decided to finance the entire project, and it is 100% Thai invested and operated for construction. China is assisting in the civil works, including the design, supervision, and installation of electrical and mechanical systems. The first section, from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, is already under construction and expected to be completed in 2026, with the second section, from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, scheduled to begin construction in 2023. The Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao route, a 220-kilometer line connecting three major airports, was signed in 2019 with construction scheduled to start in 2023. The Bangkok–Chiang Mai route, which covers a distance of 688 kilometers, has been the focus of joint efforts by Thailand and Japan since the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in 2015. As of 8 March 2023, the project's economic and financial feasibility study has now been completed, and the results show that it is worth the investment. The section of the project will connect Bangkok to Phitsanulok, while the second section will connect Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai.
Since 2017, Thailand has been upgrading its railway signaling systems with the implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS), starting with the Eastern Line and followed by the Red Line. This upgrade has gradually been extended to mainlines throughout the country, with Automatic Train Protection (ATP) being put in place to ensure the highest safety standards for railway transportation. On 15 April 2019, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) was established as a government agency under the Ministry of Transport to oversee the national rail transport system in Thailand. The DRT is responsible for regulating and standardizing policies, strategies, and plans for supervising rail transport businesses throughout the country, with the goal of improving safety, efficiency, and reliability.
As of 2020, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) operates a total of 4,814.862 kilometers of intercity railways across the country, and is working on upgrading its lines to double-track railways. Double-track railways have several advantages over single-track railways, such as higher capacity, safety, and speed. Passenger trains on double-track railways can travel at an average speed of 100-120 kilometers per hour, while freight trains can travel at an average speed of 60 kilometers per hour. Double-track railways also eliminate level crossings and install fences along the line, which help to reduce accidents and improve safety. The SRT has embarked on several expansion projects to further extend and enhance its railway network. The first phase of the expansion project covers seven routes, two of which have been completed, while the remaining five are under construction. The second phase of the expansion project, which is expected to begin construction in 2023. Furthermore, there are plans for 12 new railway routes with a total distance of 2,419 kilometers. As a result, the number of provinces with railways passing through them will increase to 61.
On 30 April 2021, SRT Asset was established, following the approval of the Cabinet on 29 September 2020, with the main objectives of managing and developing the assets of State Railway of Thailand, and developing transit-oriented development (TOD) projects to increase connectivity and accessibility within the country. The company is currently focusing on the areas around Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Thonburi, and Mae Nam with plans to develop them into major mixed-use projects. In the same year, the first phase of the Red Lines, a commuter rail line in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, opened for service after several years of construction. And in 2022, the newly constructed Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal replaced Bangkok railway station as the country's central railway transportation hub. The terminal is the largest station in Southeast Asia, with a total floor space of over 274,000 square meters, and it has 24 platforms: 12 for inter-city and commuter rail, 12 for future high-speed rail and airport rail link. It also has an underground connection to the MRT Blue Line.
Operators State Railway of Thailand State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is responsible for overseeing the operation of intercity railways in Thailand, offering diesel-hauled and electric-powered passenger trains, as well as freight services across the nation. However, the SRT has gained a reputation for inefficiency and poor maintenance, resulting in delayed trains and outdated equipment. In 2010, the SRT reported a preliminary loss of 7.58 billion baht. Despite multiple attempts at restructuring and privatization in the 2000s, strong union opposition has prevented significant changes. As of a 2022 report, the SRT has taken measures to improve safety by closing 122 level crossings and illegal crossings throughout Thailand and constructing overpasses and underpasses in double-track railway project to address level crossing issues.
BTS Group Holdings BTS Group Holdings is the majority share holder of Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) who operates the BTS Skytrain (Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line and Gold Line) in Bangkok under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The investment for the structure and system were fully supported by BTSC. The Bangkok BRT is also operated by BTSC.