Thailand's economy-class trains upgraded as New Year gift to passengers

BANGKOK, Dec 21 (TNA) - The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is moving a big-step forward by upgrading its overall economy-class bogies as a New Year present for passengers, the project of which has been set to be completed by the first quarter of next year. Thai Prime Minister General Pratut Chan-ocha presided over a ceremony to launch the first 20 upgraded economy-class carriages at the main Hua Lamphong Train Station in Bangkok on Wednesday, in which Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and SRT Governor Wuthichart Kalayanamitr also participated. The prime minister.said the improved train services so far, both through upgraded facilities inside carriages and at train stations, have received a positive response from passengers, witnessed by the rising number of train passengers and a higher figure of tickets purchases in advance to assure their travels. The prime minister vowed that his government will continue to upgrade Thai trains of all classes and categories, including tourist trains, through the allocation of state budgets and other kinds of support, while taking the opportunity to seek cooperation from all parties concerned to also help develop Thai train services on a continual basis and with transparency. The The premier suggested that SRT and all other relevant agencies speed up next year's bidding processes and the construction of large-scaled underground car parking spaces connected with the country's various mass rail transit systems, namely electric trains and those of new dual. track trains. The prime minister also inspected four upgraded, diesel-run coaches before they are delivered to Cambodia by early next year. The Thai leader then took a ride aboard an upgraded economy-class carriage from the Hua Lamphong Train Station to a station at Rama Thibodi Hospital to inaugurate an exhibition on "Late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and SRT", being held at the Royal Chitlada Train Station during December 21-25. Meanwhile, the SRT governor told journalists that the upgrade of all 148 economy-class carriages, covering all-out improved facilities on board and repainting the bogies, has been set to be completed timely for the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the SRT establishment on March 26, 2017. (TNA)