Thailand - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services
Introduction
This list is based on services at dates noted in entries, but understood to still be current. Check the Train Tracking System for on the day or the past two weeks performance.
Obscure and Sparse services
Chitlada Junction – Phaya Thai TH1
One train a day uses this Bangkok Hua Lamphong avoiding curve, the third side of a triangle linking the Northern and Eastern lines: 0535 Mon to Fri Rangsit - Hua Takhe (train 376). Report updated: January 2025
Nam Tok – Nam Tok Soi Yok Noi TH2
All SRT scheduled services terminate at Nam Tok but two excursion trains per week use this 1.4km extension of the old Thailand-Burma railway: 06:30 Sat and Sun Bangkok Hua Lamphong and 14:25 return (trains 909/910). Tickets are sold from 90 days ahead, are frequently sold out but can now be purchased on-line. From this linked page scroll down to page 2 of the list of Excursions and click the square marked Soi Nok Yoi. If only a single date is shown, click on that and later dates should appear. SRT Excursions. UK credit cards accepted. Note the English on the PDF ticket only says Bangkok - Nam Tok, but the Thai when translated should show the destination as "Waterfall" which confirms Nam Tok Soi Yok Noi
Note this section can only be traversed if the train is formed of diesel multiple unit stock as there are no run-round facilities at the single-line Soi Yok Noi terminus and this Excursion has been observed as formed of loco and coaches. For additional background details see The Man at Seat 61 or Richard Barrow's guide books. Report updated: March 2025
[Surat Thani –] Ban Thung Pho Junction – Khiri Ratthanikhom TH3
This 31.8km-long line (which was intended to be a through route to Phuket, but never completed) has one return mixed-train service daily (except public holidays): 0615 Khiri Ratthanikhom - Surat Thani (train 490), returning at 1655 (train 489). Report updated: December 2022
Nong Pla Duk Junction - Suphan Buri - Malaiman (or Malai Maen) TH4
This 79km-long line has one return service weekly: 1640 Bangkok Hua Lamphong - Suphan Buri (train 355 on Sundays), returning at 0400 (train 356 on Mondays). The afternoon train runs on from Suphan Buri to Malaiman, a further 1500m. The station (which does not appear in any SRT timetable) is more convenient for the town and consists of a single track with nameboard. The morning train starts from Suphan Buri, runs to Malaiman where it reverses and takes passengers, then proceeds to Bangkok calling again at Suphan Buri and these arrangements still applied for a 2025 visit. [Report updated: March 2025]
[Uttaradit -] Ban Dara Junction - Sawankhalok TH5
The Thai Train Guide [see elsewhere for links] advised in mid-March 2025 that the branch beyond Khlong Maplap is closed until 19 December 2025 due to flood damage. Usually one pair daily, trains 405 & 406, believed to be 10:00 from Sila At arrive Sawankhalok 11:00, departing 13:00, arrive Sila At 14:05. This branch closed for Covid and did not resume until 15 July 2023. These re-timings with effect from 31 March 2024 result in no southbound connection towards Bangkok until overnight services. [Updated: March 2025]
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central approaches TH6
The new elevated terminal station opened on 19 January 2023 is used by SRT's express services on the Southern, Northern and North Eastern lines, plus the electrified Red and Light Red Line Metro services and they use a complicated series of flyovers. Use can be broken down by:-
- All Southern line services plus the Light Red Metro depart/arrive via the same flyover to/from Taling Chan. They stay separate from the historic ground level route from Bang Sue Junction until west of Taling Chan [connection only used by diesel services] and this pair of tracks is elevated or at a slightly higher level for most of the way to Taling Chan.
- the four arrival and departure tracks used by Northern and North Eastern main line or SRT Red Line services are all different using separate single track flyovers.
- Additionally the two Red Line tracks separately fly over the already elevated main line tracks before/after Chatuchak station. From there to Don Mueang the Red Line tracks are the outside two of four
- a ramped connection was built for the diesel services to/from the adjacent Bang Sue Junction [and Hua Lamphong] to/from the North and North Eastern Line's new elevated section. This initially is a pair of ground level tracks going underneath all approach routes to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central, then rising to connect in-between the north or southbound pairs
- at Don Mueang station the Red Line platforms are directly above those for SRT long distance services so have unique alignments, north from Don Mueang the two services are parallel separate ground level pairs
There are also two other single track ramped connections to/from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central but their normal use is only by empty coaching stock. Note they would need to be used by any services diverted via the old Northern and North Eastern lines ground level route via Don Mueang to/from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central as it is retained but believed only regularly used by freight services. However video clips were posted on line of it being used by the SRT anniversary of the first railway opening in Thailand steam special to Ayutthaya from Hua Lamphong in late March 2025.
Deletions
None.
