Thailand began long-distance train service at a new terminal station in Bangkok on Thursday, advancing its goal of becoming a rail hub in Southeast Asia.
Thai Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob stated at Thursday’s inaugural ceremony that the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal was constructed in accordance with the government’s objective to strengthen the infrastructure for seamless connectivity between all modes of transportation.
Saksayam stated that the station will function as a stop on the future high-speed train routes connecting Thailand’s three major airports with Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, and Singapore.
According to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the first train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Su-ngai Kolok in the Narathiwat province of southern Thailand was scheduled to depart at 1:19 p.m. local time.
52 commercial trains serving the southern, northern, and northeastern routes have been shifted to the station as of Thursday afternoon, while 62 public service trains will continue to depart from Bangkok’s old Hua Lamphong terminal.
According to a statement issued by the SRT on Thursday, rerouting train services to the new terminal will lower the number of trains that cross the roadways in the capital, hence reducing traffic congestion at level crossings.
The SRT anticipated that the number of passengers using the new station will climb to 10,000 per day following the opening.
