New rail route connects cultures of the Gulf and Andaman Sea
The Southern Railway Travel Route connecting the cultures of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman is an innovative initiative aimed at promoting creative tourism, creating economic value and developing cultural capital.
Organised by Songkhla Rajabhat University (SKRU) in collaboration with the State Railway of Thailand, the project is designed as a unique travel experience that intertwines the rich cultural heritage of the Andaman region with community attractions.
The inaugural event held on Monday hosted by the Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Kajonkiat Rakpanichmanee, was attended by researchers, Police Department representatives, government officials, and tour operators, all of whom participated in testing the pilot route from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Thung Song and Kantang.
Nakhon Si Thammarat, renowned for its diverse tourism resources, boasts a unique identity reflected in its arts, culture, traditions and lifestyles.
The Southern Cultural Railway, connecting significant railway stations such as Thung Song Junction, Wat That Noi Station, and Nakhon Si Thammarat Station, takes visitors on an intriguing journey through the region's historical and cultural landmarks.
The governor emphasised that travelling by train in the Nakhon Si Thammarat area opens avenues to explore major tourist attractions and facilitates connections to neighbouring provinces like Trang, Phatthalung and Songkhla. This initiative is expected to contribute substantially to regional tourism development by promoting economic distribution to tourist destinations and local communities.
SKRU rector Prof Tassana Sirichote expressed pleasure at participating in the test activity, which was funded by the Programme Management Unit of the Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fund in the field of tourism and creative economy, which aims to design creative tourism routes by rail, diversifying tourism activities linked to railways while leveraging the valuable cultural capital of the southern region.
The project is a collaboration between various stakeholders including the government, private sector and local communities to promote the creative economy for tourism in the region and contribute to the overall tourism landscape of Thailand.
By integrating cultural heritage into travel experiences, the Southern Railway Travel Route strives to create a distinctive and sustainable tourism model.
