New rail hub in Bangkok for Thailand’s long-distance trains /

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced the move – effective today – of 52 long-distance, rapid and express train services from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station to the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. From now on, tourists will have to take their trains to other destinations across Thailand from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, while inbound trains to Bangkok will also arrive there. This includes 14 train services to the north, 20 to the south and 18 to the northeast (Isan).

The Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal is Thailand’s new central station, designed as a major rail transportation hub. Located near the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, it is close to both the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway networks, making it easy to travel around Bangkok, and to the Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak).

On the occasion of the opening of the new station, the SRT will operate the KIHA air-conditioned tourism diesel train on the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal-Ayutthaya Railway Station route.

The first long-distance train departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal on January 19 is train No. 171, a fast overnight sleeper service from Bangkok to Su-ngai Golok on the Thai-Malaysian border in Narathiwat province.
With the relocation of the 52 train services, trains to the north and northeast will use the elevated rail line from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Don Mueang Station – the same as the Thani Ratthaya (dark red line) suburban train service. As this means that the trains will not run on the ground rail line, they will no longer stop at the five stations of Nikhom Rotfai, Thung Song Hong, Bang Khen, Laksi and Kan Kheha.

Trains to the south will use the elevated rail line from the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Bang Bamru Station, as will the Nakhon Withi (Light Red Line) suburban train service.

Regular trains, suburban trains and special tourist routes, meanwhile, will continue to run from Hua Lamphong Station. After departing Hua Lamphong, they stop at Sam Sen and Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and then use the elevated railway line. Regular and suburban trains on the southern sections will continue to use the ground track.

At the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, outbound trains to the north and northeast depart from platforms 1 and 2, and inbound trains arrive at platforms 5 and 6. Outbound trains to the south depart from platforms 7 and 8, and inbound trains arrive at the platforms 11 and 12.

The SRT allows passengers with tickets for rapid, express and regular trains, and those with monthly tickets, to use the Thani Ratthaya suburban train service to connect to the elevated Don Mueang Station free of charge for one year or according to the conditions stated on the tickets .

Long-distance train passengers who board and disembark at the ground stations that are no longer operating can also use their tickets to use the Thani Ratthaya suburban rail service free of charge.