Thailand's First Homemade Train Delivered to State Railway
Thailand delivered its first domestically manufactured train to the State Railway on July 3, featuring 100% local design and engineering at 30% lower cost than imported alternatives.
Deputy Prime Minister Yadech Wongswatsdi delivered Thailand's first homemade train to the State Railway of Thailand on July 3, 2025, at Bangkok's Hualamphong Station. The prototype passenger train was developed through research collaboration involving over 30 Thai researchers and private companies, designed and manufactured entirely domestically with 100% local content to promote the nation's rail economy and reduce import dependency.
The train operates on a luxury-class electric system, engineered entirely by Thai researchers and engineers. Notably, production costs run 30% lower than imported alternatives, demonstrating Thailand's competitive manufacturing capacity. Over the next 20 years, Thailand will need approximately 2,000 additional passenger train cars for its expanding rail infrastructure. Yadech emphasized that developing a domestic "Rail Economy" is essential to reduce import reliance, create manufacturing industries, generate jobs, and ensure advanced technology transfer keeps economic benefits circulating within Thailand.
Kittipong Kittayarak, President of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, highlighted how this success reflects Thai capabilities in developing indigenous knowledge and reducing dependence on foreign technology. Anant Podhimredang, SRT Governor, expressed satisfaction at receiving a train using high proportions of locally-sourced materials, which significantly reduces national expenditure.
The prototype, developed with Sinogen Phinpetch Company Limited, features a 25-seat passenger car that is 22% lighter in structural weight and reaches maximum speeds of 120 kilometers per hour. It has completed over 10,000 kilometers of test runs, uses 44.1% domestically produced components, and generated seven additional intellectual property results. Following the handover ceremony, officials and media took a special test ride to Phrachomklao Station, marking another milestone in advancing Thailand's rail industry toward genuine self-reliance through homegrown innovation and technology.
