Bangkok: The number of rail users continued to rise yesterday, with trips exceeding 900,000. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) emphasized strict safety measures to ensure the safe return of citizens to Bangkok until the final day of the facilitation plan.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pichet Kunathamarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), provided an overview of rail travel on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the ninth day of the Ministry of Transport's plan to facilitate public travel during the Songkran Festival 2026. The total volume of rail travel reached 900,552 passenger-trips, which was 23.84% lower than the estimate. This included 76,769 passenger-trips on intercity trains, divided into 41,935 inbound and 34,834 outbound passengers. The Southern Line recorded the highest number of trips, followed by the Northeastern, Northern, Eastern, Mahachai, and Maeklong lines.
The BTS Skytrain system accounted for 823,783 passenger-trips, which was 24.11% lower than the estimate. The Green Line saw the highest passenger volume, while lines such as the Blue, ARL, Pink, Yellow, Purple, Red, and Gold also contributed to the overall count. Mr. Pichet noted a decrease in passenger numbers compared to the previous Saturday, April 11, 2026, when the count reached 1,008,625 passenger-trips. This decline reflects a shift in travel patterns, with more people returning to Bangkok earlier in the week to avoid congestion.
Mr. Pichet also reported three incidents involving intercity trains on April 18th. These included a train colliding with a cow near Kadon Kho station, a collision with a container truck near the north switch, and another train hitting a buffalo between Ban Kalan and Samrong Thap stations. Fortunately, none of these incidents resulted in injuries or fatalities. The Department of Land Transport has called for public cooperation to prevent future accidents by keeping vehicles clear of railway structures and supervising livestock near railway areas.
As the Songkran Festival facilitation plan concludes today, April 19, 2026, the SRT has instructed all operators to maintain high safety standards and assist passengers at connecting stations. This is aimed at ensuring a smooth and safe travel experience for those returning home.