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Travel to Japanese KIHA 40/48 Trains: Don Mueang-Ayutthaya (Weekdays)

Travel to Japanese KIHA 40/48 Trains: Don Mueang-Ayutthaya (Weekdays)

MGR Online•General•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's State Railway launches a six-month trial of Japanese KIHA 40/48 diesel railcars between Don Mueang and Ayutthaya for weekday commuters and tourists.

  • •The State Railway of Thailand is trialing Japanese KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars.
  • •The service will operate between Don Mueang Station and Ayutthaya Station for six months.
  • •Trains will run exclusively on weekdays, with multiple departures from both stations.
  • •The journey takes approximately one hour and stops at eight intermediate stations.

Overview

  • •On Monday, April 20, 2026, the State Railway of Thailand begins a six-month trial service of KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars, in order to test their viability for commuters and tourists.
  • •The State Railway of Thailand announced the trial service for the KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars, due to their recent refurbishment for Thai usage.
  • •The KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars, originally from Japan's JR East, underwent refurbishment of their engine, electrical, and air conditioning systems, as well as interior cabins.
  • •The trial service will operate exclusively on weekdays, from Monday to Friday.
  • •Trains will depart from Don Mueang Station at 06:10, 09:30, and 16:40, and from Ayutthaya Station at 07:30, 10:45, and 17:50.
  • •The journey, covering the distance between Don Mueang and Ayutthaya, takes approximately 1 hour.
  • •Fares range from 30 THB to 50 THB, depending on the distance traveled, for both departure and return journeys.
  • •The trial service is scheduled to conclude on October 31, 2026.

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Key Entities

Organization

State Railway of Thailand(การรถไฟแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️
The government agency responsible for operating the new KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar service.
East Japan Railway Company (JR East)ℹ️
The Japanese company that supplied the KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars.

Place

Don Mueang(ดอนเมือง)ℹ️
The starting station for the new KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar trial service.
Ayutthaya(อยุธยา)ℹ️
The destination station for the new KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar trial service.
Rangsit Station(สถานีรังสิต)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route.
Thammasat University Rangsit Campus Halt(ที่หยุดรถมหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ศูนย์รังสิต)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route, serving Thammasat University.
Chiang Rak Station(สถานีเชียงราก)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route.
Chiang Rak Noi Station(สถานีเชียงรากน้อย)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route.
Khlong Phutra Station(สถานีคลองพุทรา)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route.
Bang Pa-in Station(สถานีบางปะอิน)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route.
Ban Pho Station(สถานีบ้านโพ)
An intermediate stop on the Don Mueang-Ayutthaya KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar route.
Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal(สถานีกลางกรุงเทพอภิวัฒน์)
The central terminal mentioned for connecting to the Red Line and subsequently the KIHA 40/48 trains.

Timeline

2026
The Thai Buddhist Era year in which the KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar service is being trialed.
October 31, 2026(31 ต.ค. 2026)
The end date of the six-month trial for the KIHA 40/48 diesel railcar service.
April 11, 2026(11 เม.ย. 2026)
The date on which the information about bus services from Don Mueang was noted as being current.