UTTARADIT, Sept 16 – Thailand’s North-bound train services have been suspended for 45 days, starting today, and passengers must disembark at Sila-at station in this northern province to continue their northward journey by bus.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is providing six buses to take passengers to their destinations during the repair of the 300km of track between Sila-at and Chiang Mai stations.
About 20 railway police officers are assigned to Sila-at station to facilitate passengers and their belongings, and be on alert for possible goods smuggling.
Train services for short routes from Sila-at to nearby stations in Phitsanulok, Pichit and Nakhon Sawan are operating as usual. There are nine trains daily between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
Somkid Leeloy, Chiang Mai stationmaster, said passengers with advance tickets were asked to get their refunds while those still wanting to travel on train would be transported by buses from Chiang Mai to Uttaradit.
The track repair was inevitable after the SRT experienced 23 accidents on the northern route since January due to deteriorated sleepers.
