The Northern Line () is a railway line in Thailand, running between the capital Bangkok (at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) and the northern city of Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai railway station). It is the second longest railway line in Thailand at long, has 130 operational stations and halts, and is operated by the State Railway of Thailand. The line first opened in 1896. Major cities served by the line include Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Lampang, and Chiang Mai.
History
Timeline No.100 ปี รถไฟไทย, การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย, 2540 Segment Year openedตำนานแห่งรถไฟไทย 1 Bangkok–Ayutthaya 26 March 1896 2 Ayutthaya–Ban Phachi 1 November 1897 3 Ban Phachi–Lopburi 1 April 1901 4 Lopburi–Pak Nam Pho 1 November 1905 5 Pak Nam Pho–Phitsanulok 24 January 1908 6 Phitsanulok–Ban Dara Junction 11 November 1908 7 Ban Dara Junction–Pang Ton Phueng 15 August 1909 8 Pang Ton Phueng–Mae Phuak 1 June 1911 9 Mae Phuak–Pak Pan 15 November 1911 10 Pak Pan–Huai Mae Ta 1 May 1912 11 Huai Mae Ta–Ban Pin 15 June 1913 12 Ban Pin–Pha Kho 1 May 1914 13 Pha Kho–Mae Chang 15 December 1915 14 Mae Chang–Nakhon Lampang 1 April 1916 15 Nakhon Lampang–Pang Hua Phong 20 December 1916 16 Pang Hua Phong–Pang Yang 1 July 1918 17 Pang Yang–Chiang Mai 1 January 1922 18 Ban Klap - Khok Kathiam (Lopburi Bypass Line) 5 December 2025 The line's operations were severely affected during World War II.
Since January 2023, long-distance (Special Express, Express and Rapid) trains terminated at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok replacing Hua Lamphong station.
As part of the double- tracking project between Lopburi and Pak Nam Pho, the Lopburi Bypass line between Ban Klap and Khok Kathiam was opened on 5 December 2025, with one intermediate station: Lopburi 2 (Tha Wung)
A new 323 kilometer-long branch line, from Den Chai to the Lao border at Chiang Khong, is under construction and is expected to open in 2028.
Name changes Name Old nameRotfaithai.Com Year changed Ayutthaya Krung Kao 1917 Nakhon Sawan Nong Pling 1956 Phrom Phiram Ban Krab Phuang Tron Wang Hin Saraphi Pa Yang Loeng 1961
Infrastructure
The Northern Line is entirely single track, except at stations. Track gauge is meter gauge. As the train frequency increases, it is becoming increasingly challenging to operate trains running both direction on the single-line track. Double-tracking has commenced between Lop Buri and Pak Nam Pho, and is planned for the rest of the line.
The Northern Line is not electrified. Regular services run on diesel power. The current maximum operating speed on the line is .
Stations
Tunnels Tunnel Image Length Location Note Khun Tan Tunnel Lampang and Lamphun Province The longest tunnel in Thailand. Khao Phlueng Tunnel Uttaradit and Phrae Province Huai Mae Lan Tunnel Phrae Province Pang Tub Khob Tunnel Uttaradit Province The shortest railway tunnel in Thailand.
See also Rail transport in Thailand Lopburi Line: railway line of the Greater Bangkok commuter rail Northeastern Line (Thailand) Eastern Line (Thailand) Southern Line (Thailand)
References