Tokyo: The Department of Rail Transport, Ministry of Transport of Thailand, convened the 7th Thai-Japanese Railway Cooperation Meeting with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The discussions centered around maintenance plans for the Red Line suburban railway system and the development of mass transit rail systems in Bangkok and its surrounding areas.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Pichet Kunathamarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, and attended by Mr. Hikasa Yasaburo, Director-General for International Affairs, and Mr. Kobayashi Nobuyuki, Director of the International Policy and Project Division from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Mr. Athiphu Chitranukroh, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, was also present. Participants included representatives from the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, the State Railway of Thailand, the Mass Transit Authority of Thailand, SRT Electrified Rail Co., Ltd., and the Rail Technology Research and Development Institute. The meeting was held in Tokyo and also utilized electronic communication.
The Japanese representatives presented a report on enhancing maintenance efficiency for the Red Line suburban electric trains using JR West standards. The report detailed a plan to simplify inspection types, thereby reducing workload by 22%. Maintenance cycles would be adjusted to every 5 years based on mileage and every 10 years based on time, aiming for SRT Electrified Rail Co., Ltd. to perform major overhaul maintenance by 2030. Safety-related components, such as bogie frames, axles, and drive systems, would require inspections by highly skilled personnel to maintain safety standards.
The meeting also addressed solutions to passenger congestion on trains in Bangkok and its surrounding areas under the master plan, Phase 2. The Japanese side suggested implementing hybrid density measurement technology, which combines visual inspection and data on train load weight. The aim is to reduce passenger overcrowding and waiting times to no more than once during peak hours.
In preparation for the Rail Transport Act B.E. 2568 (2025), set to come into effect on March 27, 2026, the Department of Rail Transport reported progress on drafting subordinate legislation. This includes standards for train sets, setting maximum fare limits, and criteria for issuing various business licenses. Additionally, the e-License R system is being developed to enable drivers and train operators to display their licenses digitally via a mobile application.
Mr. Pichet emphasized that this meeting is a pivotal step before the Rail Transport Act B.E. 2568 (2025) is enacted. He noted that the Japanese suggestions will play a significant role in driving the rail master plan towards tangible outcomes, with the goal of creating a modern, sustainable mass transit system that enhances the quality of life for the Thai population.