The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has fined Green Generation Worldwide Co., Ltd. approximately 2.3 million baht for an eight-month delay in delivering 20 used Japanese diesel trains, initially scheduled for earlier deployment under a 48.6 million baht contract.
On 6 June 2025, the State Railway of Thailand conducted a performance test of two KIHA 40 and KIHA 48 diesel railcars at Laem Chabang station, aiming to assess their technical readiness before entering full commuter service later this year. The diesel units, originally from Japan’s JR East, are part of a 20-car fleet scheduled to support suburban train operations in and around Bangkok.
The test evaluated key engineering systems, including engine performance, transmission efficiency, braking distance, mechanical vibration levels, and air conditioning reliability. Engineers had previously modified the railcars’ bogies and braking systems to suit Thailand’s one-meter track gauge, down from Japan’s 1.067-meter standard.
According to the SRT, six of the units will be ready for passenger service by late 2025, with ongoing upgrades to the remainder. One significant improvement includes retrofitting squat toilets with seated fixtures. These trains are intended to strengthen suburban routes during peak morning and evening hours, enhancing short-haul transport capacity and connectivity between Bangkok and nearby provinces.
The 20-car fleet comprises nine KIHA 40 double-cab cars with a seating capacity of 65 passengers per unit and 11 KIHA 48 single-cab cars capable of carrying up to 82 passengers each. Both models are equipped with onboard toilets and varied seating layouts.
The SRT confirmed it had completed the final inspection of the third and last installment of the transport contract. Although Green Generation Worldwide was due 9.72 million baht for this phase, the delay in delivery—approximately 240 days—led to a contractual penalty of 0.10% per day, resulting in a deduction of about 2.3 million baht. The company ultimately received around 7.4 million baht.
The trains were shipped from Niigata Port, Japan, arriving at Laem Chabang Port in Thailand on 2 June 2024. However, the railcars remained idle for nearly nine months due to procedural complications, including revisions to the terms of reference and requirements for certified JR East engineers to supervise bogie removal. The SRT resolved these issues by March 2025, enabling the completion of the transport work by 8 May 2025.
Officials attending the performance test included SRT Governor Veerith Amrapal and members of the engineering and operations teams.
