SRT Background |
The Royal State Railways of Siam (RSR) was established in
1895 under the Ministry of Public Works. Construction of the
first line between Bangkok and Nakornratchasima started in
1891 and the first service was run from Bangkok to Ayutthaya
on 26 March 1896. The Thonburi–Phetchaburi section of the
southern line opened later on 19 June 1903. The northern
line was originally built to standard gauge (1435 mm), but it
was decided to standardize on meter gauge in September
1919 and the northern line was re-gauged over the next
10 years to link with the neighbouring countries of today’s
Malaysia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. On 1 July 1951,
RSR changed its name to the present State Railway of
Thailand (SRT). During SRT’s long history,
it has passed through many modernization
phases to improve the organization but
although SRT and other authorities are
working closely on railway reconstruction
plans, there have been few changes in
the SRT administration due to internal and
external factors. Currently, the government
has provisionally approved an investment
of about 180 billion baht (US$5.8 billion) in
SRT to develop rail by upgrading the existing
infrastructure; these plans include the Track
and Bridge Rehabilitation Project, Track Doubling Project, Electric Diesel Locomotive Purchasing Project, Installing Signalling and
Level Crossing Project, etc. In addition, SRT
has implemented a Restructuring Plan by
establishing three business units: Traffic,
Property, and Rolling Stock Maintenance, as
well as one subsidiary to operate the Airport Rail Link Project.
In FY2010, SRT carried 45.1 million
passengers for 8187 million passenger-km,
both year-on-year drops of 5% and 7%,
respectively, due to a shortage of serviceable
rolling stock to meet customers’ needs.
Moreover, many trains were cancelled during
the period of political unrest. In freight, SRT
hauled 11.6 million tonnes for 2701 million
tonne-km, representing year-on-year
increases and decreases of 1%, respectively,
due to the growth in transport between ICD
Lat Krabang and Laem Chabang hampered
by inadequate locomotives and wagons
for customers’ needs. Currently ongoing
SRT projects are the Track Doubling Project on the Eastern
Seaboard Line, and Track Rehabilitation; SRT has embarked
on developing rail links in the east of the country to improve
container traffic between ICD Lat Krabang and Laem
Chabang deep-sea port. Two sections have been approved:
from Chachoengsao to Laem Chabang (78 km), and from
Chachoengsao to Kaeng Khoi (106 km). Phase 5 of the Track
Rehabilitation Project covering Kaeng Khoi Junction to Kaeng
Sua Ten (37 km), Suranarai to Bua Yai Junction (192 km),
and Thanon Jira Junction to Bua Yai Junction (79 km),
and Phase 6 from Bua Yai Junction to Nong khai (278 km)
are intended to strengthen rail transport by preventing rail
cracking and broken rails caused by excessive wear on the main line and to enhance operation safety and efficiency. In FY2010, SRT was operating 5 steam, 225 diesel-electric
and 31 diesel-hydraulic locomotives (including shunters),
230 diesel railcars, 1242 passenger carriages (including
273 sleepers, 69 restaurant cars, and 83 baggage cars) and 5549 freight wagons.
The Airport Rail Link (ARL) to Suvarnabhumi International
Airport was designed for use by airport Express Line and
commuter City Line services. The ARL is mostly elevated,
although the last 2.8 km between the Lat Krabang and
Suvarnabhumi stations is underground, with an underground
terminal at the airport. Express services take 15 minutes
and commuters 27 minutes. On 7 December 2010, the
government approved SRT establishing a subsidiary called
the SRT Electrified Train Company Limited to operate the ARL
from 06:00 to 24:00 with both airport and commuter services
departing every 15 minutes. Passengers can connect to
Phaya Thai BTS Station at Phaya Thai ARL Station by taking
the City Line commuter. Since 4 January 2011, Makkasan
Station has offered a daily baggage check-in service from
08:00 to 21:00 for passengers travelling on international flights of Thai Airways. |
Photo: Map of the State Railway of Thailand network (SRT)
Photo: Types of SRT carriages (SRT)
Photo: Various SRT locomotives (top) and onboard dishes (bottom) (SRT)
|
Travel by SRT Train |
It is not an exaggeration to say that no trip to Thailand is
complete without spending time on a train, which are an
economical and comfortable means to get
around, and a great way to see the country.
The extensive network reaches the furthest
extremities of Thailand’s borders with
Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. This includes Chiangmai in the north;
Nong khai in the northeast (Laos); Ubon
Ratchathani in the northeast; Aranyaprathet
in the east (Cambodia), Kanchanaburi in
the west (Myanmar), and Sungai golok
and PadangBesar in the south continuing
to Malaysia and Singapore. In addition to
the joint service with Malaysian Railways
(KTMB), international services between
Thailand and Laos started across the
friendship bridge over the Mekong River
on 5 March 2009, using Thanaleng as the international station.
SRT operates ordinary, rapid, express,
and special express trains with three different
train classes. First-class services contain
one private air conditioned compartment for
two passengers in equal-sized upper and
lower berths, and boasts a wash basin, inroom
luggage racks, and space. This class
is available only on selected trains and tends
to get booked-out first. In the compartment,
passengers can adjust the air-conditioner
to the desired cooling level and turn out
the lights and lock the door for added
security. Adjacent first-class compartments
have a connecting door to travel with a
group of friends in comfort and style. For
those travelling alone, an entire first-class
compartment can be booked for an added
single supplement charge of about 300
baht—less than the price of an additional
first-class ticket. Second-class non-air conditioned
and air-conditioned coaches
are available as either seated carriage or
sleeper. These cars contain 40 facing, paired seats that convert into reasonably
comfortable couchettes for overnight trips.
Each berth has its own reading light, pillow,
blanket, and a fresh set of sheets; luggage
can be stored in convenient racks next to
the berth. Security on board is available,
but it is best to keep valuables with you.
The more expensive lower berths are larger
and more comfortable. Both upper and
lower have curtains for privacy. Third-class
trains consist of hard wooden and leather
benches suitable for only the more seasoned traveller.
Third-class tickets are sold a few hours before departure
with no prebookings. There is no guarantee of a seat in third
class, which is often standing-room-only during peak periods
and long weekends. However, taking a third-class train to Kanchanaburi or Aranyaprathet is a great scenic adventure. |
Catering on SRT Trains |
You’ll never be hungry when travelling by train in Thailand.
Even before boarding the train, there are always a few
restaurants in and around most railway stations. Bangkok
Railway Station (Hualamphong) has a huge variety of food
available, including a cafeteria, restaurant, some fast-food
outlets and fresh fruit stands as well as drinks pushcarts on
the platform. Moreover, all classes of train have refreshment
facilities and most have full catering with convenient foods
and instant meals, snacks and drinks. Food is served on
long-distance ordinary, rapid, express, and special express
trains either in the passenger carriages or in the restaurant
car, which have been in service in Thailand since 1922.
At present, there are both air-conditioned and non-air conditioned
restaurant cars on trains serving the northern,
northeastern, and southern lines. SRT has given 2-year
concessions to NP Rity Co., Ltd. and Pornpanya Thurakit
Partnership to run catering services on the trains. The SRT approved
menus for convenience foods, instant meals, snacks, and drinks are shown in Table 1. |
Table 1: Onboard Menu
Photo: Breakfast set menus (SRT)
Photo: Choice of Thai dishes (SRT)
Photo: Dinner set menu (SRT)
Photo: Restaurant car (SRT)
Photo: SRT Conference coaches (SRT)
|
Serving Food and Drinks on Train |
Passengers ordering food and drinks
can choose to eat in their seat or in the
restaurant car; they can also buy food
and drinks on station platforms. In-seat
catering services are offered in both
non-air-conditioned and air-conditioned
carriages by restaurant car staff walking
through the train and handing out printed
menus. The price is the same whether the
meal is eaten in the restaurant car or in
the seat. A removable ‘table’ is attached
to the wall between two facing seats in
second-class sleepers. The restaurant
car on second- and third-class non-air conditioned
trains has simple cafeteria-style
tables while the restaurant car on
first- and second-class air-conditioned
trains is nicer with wall decorations, etc.
Most overnight sleepers have a restaurant
car serving a full menu from breakfast
starting at 05:30 to dinner ending at
around 22:00. In addition to meals, dining
staff pass through the train with ice-cold
soft drinks and beer until about 22:00.
Passengers in third class can also enjoy
independent food vendors who board
trains at stations as well. Food vendors
on station platforms offer cold drinks including beer,
dried pork, fried noodles, and other packaged local snacks. Every station seems to have pushcart vendors
on the platforms selling soup, fresh fruit and local
foods. They run up to hungry passengers leaning out of open windows to try to make a sale in the briefest time. |
Catering on SRT |
When each 2-year catering contract ends, the concessionaires
must rebid for the concession by proposing a project for
ordinary, rapid, express, and special express trains including
menus for convenience foods and instant meals, snacks and
drinks by specifying the foods, quantities (grams) per serving,
colour pictures, ingredients, date of manufacture, expiry date,
as well as cooking directions. In addition, the provisioning
methods, storage space, and food preparation both on and off
the train have to be explained along with price lists and action
if there is a deficiency of food and/or drinks. A demonstration
of the food cooking procedure, plus details of the kitchen
utensils, staff and their qualifications, responsibilities, uniforms
and name tag must all be listed. The proposal must also list
how wastes and garbage will be disposed of. The bidder with
the best proposal overall is awarded the concession. |
Group Catering |
In addition to the above standard catering services, SRT
has conference coaches for groups wishing to work and
eat at the same time. These coaches can also be served by karaoke entertainment systems.
The reservation-only Luxury Eastern & Oriental Express,
running between Thailand (Bangkok, Kanchanaburi,
Chiangmai and Khonkhean), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and
Singapore also offers fine dining and wonderful sightseeing for international travellers.
|