TAT rolls out six train rides as part of ‘Amazing Experience’ tourism
Leveraging on the country's logistics capabilities, the Thai government plans to promote year-round travel for tourists, and as part of this policy the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is collaborating with relevant partners to develop infrastructure that allows tourists easy access to major attractions.
The “Amazing Experience” initiative aims to provide new and valuable travel experiences in major cities, connecting 55 notable provinces across the country. This is done in conjunction with presenting Thai identity through the concept of “5 Must Do in Thailand” to drive the government’s “Ignite Thailand’s Tourism” policy.
The TAT has partnered with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Boon Rawd Trading Co Ltd to organise a railway tourism activity called "Instant Joy with Thai Trains: This Journey is Different".
The pilot activity will take place in July 2024, with travel routes connecting Bangkok to provinces in the central and eastern regions.
The KIHA 183 train will run weekly on four routes, with a two-day, one-night travel package priced at 3,999 baht per person:
Route 1: Bangkok - Ratchaburi, July 6-7
Route 2: Bangkok - Prachuap Khiri Khan, July 13-14
Route 3: Bangkok - Suphanburi, July 20-21
Route 4: Bangkok - Prachinburi, July 27-28
This aims to invigorate the domestic travel atmosphere throughout the Green Season and coincide with the auspicious month of July.
Additionally, the TAT said it would continue to drive the momentum in August with the “August Mother’s Travel” activity, featuring two one-day railway travel routes:
Route 1: Mother-Child Historical Steam Train Trip, Bangkok - Chachoengsao, August 12
Route 2: Mother-Child Royal Blossom Train of Happiness, Bangkok - Kanchanaburi, August 17
On all the six routes, TAT aims to design tourism activities that reflect sustainable travel concepts and highlight the Thai identity through the “5 Must Do in Thailand”:
Must Eat: Enjoy local cuisine
Must See: Experience rich culture
Must Seek: Discover unseen attractions
Must Buy: Acquire exquisite crafts
Must Beat: Engage in thrilling sports
To enhance the travel experience, professional guides will provide knowledge and information, adding a special touch to the joyous moments during the KIHA 183 train journeys in July 2024, the TAT said. For example:
Ratchaburi route: Fashion show of traditional "Pa Khao Ma" on the train
Suphanburi route: Live traditional "Choi" music performance on the train
Prachuap Khiri Khan route: Saxophone performance of Royal compositions
Prachinburi route: Tips for worshipping "Tao Wessuwan" by Master Sin Sae Pen Nueng
The routes also include visits to attractions and sustainable tourism activities such as:
Ratchaburi route: Enjoying the Nang Yai shadow play at Wat Khanon and giving alms at the Opoi floating market
Prachuap Khiri Khan route: Exploring the mangrove forest at Thung Prong Thong and planting trees at Pranburi Forest Park to increase the green coastal area
Suphanburi route: Experiencing Dvaravati culture and worshipping the Buddha at Wat Phu Khao Thong
Prachinburi route: Worshipping the Buddha at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat on the auspicious occasion of King Rama X's birthday
Chachoengsao route: Reliving the past with a steam-train ride, worshipping sacred deities, and taking a boat trip along the Bang Pakong River
Kanchanaburi route: Creating a classic experience by visiting the Bridge over the River Kwai, Krasae Cave, and worshipping the thousand-handed Guan Yin Bodhisattva carved from wood via the Royal Blossom train
The TAT said it was confident that this collaboration with partners would stimulate domestic travel starting from the Green Season and continue throughout the year. This initiative would be crucial in distributing income to local communities, both in major tourist cities and other attractive cities nationwide, helping to achieve the goal of increasing tourist numbers in 2024 and generating 3.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue, the TAT said.
Interested individuals can book travel packages for all six railway routes at any train station, via the D-ticket system of the State Railway of Thailand, or inquire further at the customer service centre on 1690.
