KIHA 40/48 Trains Ready for Trial Service April 20, Connecting Don Mueang to Ayutthaya

MGR Online•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's State Railway is set to trial renovated KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars on the Don Mueang to Ayutthaya route starting April 20, 2026, aiming to connect with the Red Line and Don Mueang Airport.

•Renovated KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars will begin a 6-month trial service.
•The route connects Don Mueang to Ayutthaya, linking with the Red Line suburban train and airport.
•The trial service starts on April 20, 2026, operating weekdays.
•This initiative aims to ease public expenses amidst rising energy prices and enhance public transport options.

Overview

•On April 20, 2026, the State Railway of Thailand will begin a trial service for KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars in order to test their functionality.
•The State Railway of Thailand has completed the renovation of 6 KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars, increasing their operational readiness.
•The KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars were received from East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and refurbished for use in Thailand, in order to optimize their integration.
•The trial service between Don Mueang and Ayutthaya is intended to relieve public expenses due to rising energy prices.
•Commuters will benefit from a new feeder service connecting to the Red Line suburban train and Don Mueang Airport, providing enhanced travel convenience.
•The trial service will run for a period of 6 months, concluding on October 31, 2026.
•The State Railway aims to continuously develop its rail network and public transport connections, leading to improved services.
•Following the trial, the State Railway of Thailand will evaluate the service to implement further improvements and develop it into a sustainable national rail network.

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Key Quotes

Anan Phonimdaeng

"The State Railway has a policy to continuously develop the rail network and connections with public transport systems."

การรถไฟฯ มีนโยบายพัฒนาโครงข่ายการเดินรถและจุดเชื่อมต่อกับระบบขนส่งสาธารณะอย่างต่อเนื่อง

Key Entities

Organization

State Railway of Thailand(รฟท.)ℹ️

The governmental agency responsible for railway operations in Thailand, initiating the trial service for KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 trains.

East Japan Railway Company (JR East)ℹ️

The Japanese company from which the KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 trains were acquired by the State Railway of Thailand.

Place

Don Mueang(ดอนเมือง)ℹ️

A key starting point for the new feeder train service, also home to Don Mueang International Airport, which the service aims to connect to.

Ayutthaya(อยุธยา)ℹ️

The destination of the new feeder train service, providing a rail link from Don Mueang.

Timeline

April 20, 2026(20 เม.ย. 2026)

The exact date when the trial service for the KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 trains is scheduled to commence.

Person

Anan Phonimdaeng(นายอนันต์ โพธิ์นิ่มแดง)

Acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, who announced the details of the KIHA train trial service.