Thailand’s State Railway has reported strong interest in its weekend and holiday tourist train services, generating approximately 82 million baht in projected revenue for fiscal year 2025.
According to data from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), tourist trains operating on weekends, public holidays, and special occasions attracted a total of 133,940 passengers from October 2024 through May 2025. The diverse routes and themed services continue to receive a positive response from both domestic and international travelers, with seats regularly sold out.
The routes offered include steam locomotives on commemorative dates, day-trip trains to destinations like Suan Son Pradipat, Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, the overnight-capable KIHA 183, and the SRT Royal Blossom service. The SRT Royal Blossom service alone brought in 16.44 million baht from 16,502 passengers, while the KIHA 183 generated 14.04 million baht from 13,410 passengers. The day-trip route to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam, operating from November 2024 to January 2025, served the highest number of passengers, with 40,382 people and 7.38 million baht in earnings.
SRT estimates that by the end of fiscal year 2025 (September 2025), the tourist trains will serve nearly 200,000 passengers, with revenue reaching approximately 82 million baht. This marks an increase from the 178,000 passengers and 51.5 million baht in earnings reported during fiscal year 2024.
The railway agency is also exploring plans to expand services into weekdays and develop additional routes in regions such as the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). Future developments aim to enhance rail access between major tourist sites and U-Tapao International Airport to better support travel demand in eastern Thailand.
Officials have indicated that such developments are part of wider strategies to integrate rail transport into regional tourism growth. Expanded services are expected to cater especially to foreign tourists arriving via U-Tapao, which is being positioned as a gateway to the East.
