Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has stated that there would be fewer long-distance trains departing and arriving at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station beginning Thursday (19 January).
As many as 52 special-express, express, and fast trains would depart from Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal, also known as Bang Sue Grand Station, according to the DRT. For the time being, the remaining 62 “public service” train journeys, including excursion trains and subsidized long-distance services, will depart from Hua Lamphong Station.
According to the agency, reducing the number of services that originate and/or terminate at Hua Lamphong Station would assist minimize traffic congestion in and around downtown Bangkok.
Pichet Kunadhamraks, Director-General of DRT, stated that the decision to gradually shift long-haul services to Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal is consistent with the State Railway of Thailand’s plan to make the new station the nation’s primary rail hub under the Ministry of Transport’s 20-year development strategy.
Pichet noted that commercial, long-distance trains destined for the North and Northeast will depart from Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal and travel on the Bang Sue-Rangsit elevated rail tracks, which are also used by Red Line electric commuter trains, albeit on separate tracks. Meanwhile, public service trains departing from Hua Lamphong station will travel on ground-level lines until they reach Wat Samian Naree, where they will connect to the elevated Red Line track. Passengers can swap their tickets for free trips on the Red Line to any of the four stations.
Pichet further stated that the long-distance commercial trains to the south will now depart from the Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal along the Red Line tracks in the opposite way as the trains to the north and northeast.
 has stated that there would be fewer long-distance trains departing and arriving at Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station beginning Thursday (19 January).){kind=link}