King and Queen Inaugurate Bangkok Apiwat Central Station
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At 5:22 PM on October 29, 2026, His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen proceeded to open "Bangkok Apiwat Central Station," the Light Red Line "Nakhon Withi" and the Dark Red Line "Thani Ratthaya" commuter routes, and to visit the "Thai Railway Evolution" exhibition at Bangkok Apiwat Central Station in Chatuchak district, Bangkok. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Transport Permanent Secretary Piyapong Chirawatkul, State Railway of Thailand Governor Anant Phonimdaeng, and officials received the royal party.
His Majesty the King entered the ceremonial area, lit candles and incense to worship the Triple Gem, observed the precepts, and received the monastic offering from the Supreme Patriarch. His Majesty then bestowed royal decorations upon the State Railway of Thailand Governor and Ms. Monthakan Siwilai, Director of the Information Technology Division, who presented commemorative books to the King and Queen.
His Majesty then proceeded to the ceremony platform and pressed the button to illuminate the station signage for "Bangkok Apiwat Central Station," the Light Red Line "Nakhon Withi," and the Dark Red Line "Thani Ratthaya." The name "Bangkok Apiwat," bestowed by His Majesty, means "the greater prosperity of Bangkok." His Majesty also graciously named the Light Red Line section from Bang Sue to Taling Chan (Phase 1) "Nakhon Withi," meaning "the route of the city," and the Dark Red Line section from Bang Sue to Rangsit (Phase 1) "Thani Ratthaya," also meaning "the route of the city."
The King then performed the royal alms-giving ceremony, poured libation water, and received blessings from the monks. His Majesty bestowed royal decorations upon Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who presented a gold commemorative ticket for the Light Red Line "Nakhon Withi" to the King. Assistant Transport Minister Siriphong Angkasakulkiat presented a gold commemorative ticket for the Dark Red Line "Thani Ratthaya" to the Queen.
His Majesty then bestowed royal decorations upon Worayut Pho Yai, Director of the Office of the Governor, State Railway of Thailand, who honored benefactors and received royal souvenirs. The King and Queen then inscribed their royal cyphers on a commemorative stone plate, paid respects at the shrine, and took leave of the monks.
Subsequently, the King and Queen visited the "Thai Railway Evolution" exhibition, which comprises three sections: Section 1, "The Origin of Thai Railways: From Royal Initiative to National Development Foundation," covering the first railway line from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, built in 1891 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, and its subsequent expansion and development across the country.
