SRT Hosts Steam Locomotive Tour to Ayutthaya on Chulalongkorn Day

Bangkok: The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) organized a commemorative steam locomotive tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya to honor Chulalongkorn Day, a holiday that celebrates the contributions of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, to the nation. The event attracted numerous tourists, some clad in traditional Thai attire from the era of King Rama V, eager to capture the historic moment with photographs. According to Thai News Agency, the special train service was arranged to express loyalty and commemorate King Chulalongkorn's legacy, particularly his role in advancing the railway business for the benefit of the Thai people. The steam locomotive, a Pacific model number 824 and 850, dates back to the post-World War II era and was manufactured by Nippon Charyo Co., Ltd. It is preserved at the Thonburi Locomotive Depot and is typically reserved for special occasions. The train departed Bangkok Station (Hua Lamphong) at 08:10 hrs, arriving at Ayutthaya Station by 10:20 hrs, allowing tourists time to explore the historic area. The return journey from Ayutthaya commenced at 16:40 hrs, with the train reaching Bangkok by 18:50 hrs. The event was marked by a lively atmosphere as tourists, both on the train and at the station, captured memories of the unique journey with their cameras.