SRT launches first operation of new carriages

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (TNA) -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Friday launched the first operations of the new carriages on two special express routes of Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani. SRT has targeted to introduce two more routes of Bangkok-Nong Khai and Bangkok-Hat Yai on December 2, where the SRT is expecting over one million passengers to use the new service, which should generate an income as high as 1.25 billion annually. SRT Governor Wuthichart Kalyanamitra presided over the launching of the two train lines, the first two with the new compartments of Utra Vithi Special Express linking Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the Isan Wattha Special Express linking Bangkok with Ubon Ratchathani. The governor said the send off of this new type of compartments is the first successful step of the SRT in lifting the service quality for the public in line with the government, Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha, and the Transport Ministry's policy to further develop the country's transportation infrastructure, in order to increase Thailand' economic competitiveness, lower the gaps of well-being in the society, and uplift the Thai people's living condition. Mr Wutthichart said that after launching the first two routes, the SRT, on December 2, is set to launched another two train lines running with the new carriages, including the Isan Makha running from Bangkok to Nong Khai and back, as well as Thaksinarun, which runs between Bangkok and Hat Yai and back. He said after the four train routes are launched, they would complete the plan set by the SRT for the capability of the new compartments. He further mentioned the names of the new train routes were royally given by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. (TNA)