reader Posted June 16 Posted June 16 From The Nation The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) expects to launch its latest tourism train, SRT Royal Blossom, in mid-August following a successful test run to Hua Hin on Friday. The test run from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok to Hua Hin station in Prachuap Khiri Khan province was witnessed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who closely inspected the train when it arrived at Hua Hin station on Friday. SRT Royal Blossom train has been modified from 10 second-hand air-conditioned Hamanasu passenger cars that the SRT had received from the Hokkaido Railway Company of Japan in 2018. SRT's public relations chief Ekarat Sriarayanphong said five cars had been refurbished as tourism vehicles to run on the Bangkok – Kanchanaburi tourism route, expected to launch in August in a bid to boost tourism in secondary provinces under the government’s policy. The remaining five cars would undergo similar modifications and should be ready for public use by the year-end, he added. The Hamanasu passenger cars were manufactured in 1988 and used as part of the Hamanasu Express train service, which connected Hokkaido Island to Honshu Island. The service ran the final leg of the journey in Hokkaido on March 21, 2016. The name "Hamanasu” came from the flower symbol of Hokkaido Island – the Japanese rose. SRT started working on five of the cars in 2020 and undertook the first test run in March this year, running from Bangkok to Lampang province. The name "SRT Royal Blossom" is inspired by the Yellow star, which is the official flower of King Rama X and symbolises the "Golden Age of Railways”. The green velvet seat offers a sharp contrast to the train’s bright red exterior, but complements the natural colour of the cedar interior. All cars are equipped with wheelchair ramps, air purifiers, as well as world standard safety equipment. tm_nyc and vinapu 2 Quote
