30 May 2020: Following a near complete suspension of train services in Thailand in response to the global covid-19 virus pandemic, limited long distance train services in Thailand restarted on 18th May 2020. There are now daytime services on all railway lines in Thailand, except on the Southern Railway Line. Services on the Southern Line, which runs from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok via Surat Thani and Hat Yai, briefly restarted but have now been suspended again due to concerns about ongoing outbreaks of the virus in the Southern Regions of Thailand.
New Long Distance Services
The normal timetable for all long distance train services in Thailand is currently suspended. A small range of shorter distance services are currently operating along with the following long distance services are now operating every day:
- Train 9051: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- Depart Bangkok: 05:30
- Arrive Chiang Mai: 18:30
- Train 9052: Chiang Mai to Bangkok
- Depart Chiang Mai: 05:30
- Arrive Bangkok: 18:30
- Train 9075: Bangkok to Nong Khai
- Depart Bangkok: 07:00
- Arrive Nong Khai: 16:40
- Train 9076: Nong Khai to Bangkok
- Depart Nong Khai: 07:00
- Arrive Bangkok: 16:35
- Train 9071: Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani
- Depart Bangkok: 06:00
- Arrive Ubon Ratchathani: 14:55
- Train 9072: Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok
- Depart Ubon Ratchathani: 06:00
- Arrive Bangkok: 14:50
Train Travel in Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic
All trains services in Thailand are currently using seat only fan cooled carriages with 2nd and 3rd Class seating only. Sleeper services are not currently operating nor are air-conditioned train carriages. Thailand has a curfew in place from 23:00 to 04:00 every day which means overnight trains cannot currently operate.
Currently all Thailand Train services are using fan cooled carriagesSeating on train services is also restricted. Every other seat on train in Thailand have been marked as not available for seating.
Seat spacing on Thailand TrainsOther changes to Thailand Train services include:
- Face Masks: All passengers and staff are required to wear face masks.
- Temperature Check: All passengers will have their temperature checked as they enter the train station to commence their journey.
- Food service: There is no catering on Thailand Trains and food vendors are not allowed on any trains. At some stations vendors are still operating from the platforms. and food and drinks can be purchased through the open windows of the trains when they stop at these stations. Passengers are advised to drink their own food and drink for the journey as it not guaranteed that food and drink will be available for purchase on route.
- Ticket purchase: At the same time as purchasing a ticket at a train station passengers need to complete a form giving their name, contact details and intended address at their destination.