SRT lays down Japanese model for tourism trains

The Seven Stars cruise train in Kyushu, Japan provides the model for a Thai version.

In a move to raise income and promote tourism, particularly in second-tier provinces and for community tourism, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is applying the model of Japan's JR Kyushu Railway's Seven Stars luxury services.

Tanongsak Pongprasert, deputy governor for the traffic business cluster at the SRT, said the railway hired the Thailand Creative & Design Center (TCDC) to conduct a feasibility study for tourism routes and designs for tourism trains.

The study is expected to be completed in eight months, while the SRT's luxury train services for tourism are scheduled to debut next year.

Mr Tanongsak said the designs for tourism trains should reflect the local culture of each region.

But the services are unlikely to match those provided by JR Kyushu's Seven Stars.

Seven Stars is the first luxury sleeper train in Japan. It made its inaugural run in October 2013.

The SRT aims for its luxury cruise trains to be introduced on the Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya routes.

"The SRT is constructing many double-track rail routes, which will completely change railroad transport," Mr Tanongsak said.

There are two tourism routes: Hua Lamphong to Kanchanaburi and Hua Lamphong to Hua Hin. The two programmes are available on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mr Tanongsak said the SRT will soon introduce a new route from Hua Lamphong to Pattaya.

The SRT has also organised tourism trains on special days such as the founding day of the SRT on March 26; Her Majesty the Queen's birthday on Aug 12; the anniversary of the passing of Rama V on Oct 23; the late King Bhumibol's birthday on Dec 5; and His Majesty the King's birthday on July 28.

Kittiratana Pitipanich, acting director of the TCDC, said the study is expected to be completed by October, while the conceptual design of cruise trains will conform to the culture of each region.

The TCDC is also studying suitable routes for the SRT's cruise trains, with the trips possibly designed for one-day and two-to-three-day trips, mainly to historical places and well-known tourism spots.

Hiroyuki Fukunaga, director-general of the cruise train headquarters of Kyushu Railway Co, said that while real estate is the main revenue contributor to the company, cruise train services still generate strong income.

"A key point for the cruise train services is that they can distribute income to provincial areas and promote retail businesses along the railroads, promoting community products," he said.

Mr Fukunaga said the company also supports local communities in maintaining their traditional housing and environments along the cruise train routes, as visitors prefer a unique experience in each region.