Bangkok: The Department of Rail Transport is coordinating with rail service providers to address potential issues with the electric train system in Bangkok and nearby areas in anticipation of increased travel during the Songkran festival in 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pichet Kunathamarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, led the 2nd meeting of the Rail Transport System Supervision and Management Committee for 2026. The meeting focused on reviewing incidents affecting rail service users and formulating improvement strategies. Statistics revealed 22 disruptions in the BTS system from January to February 2026, involving issues such as the speed drive system, braking system activations, and track switching points.
The Department of Land Transport stressed the importance of analyzing spare part damage statistics to enhance maintenance efficiency. Additionally, discussions covered measures to facilitate and secure public travel during the Songkran festival, scheduled from April 10th to 19th, 2026. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has introduced initiatives such as deploying MRT staff to manage emergencies, increasing train frequency, and coordinating with electric train operators to accommodate peak travel times.
Safety measures include monitoring railway crossings to prevent accidents, boosting train and seating capacity by 21% compared to the previous year, and offering online advance ticket booking. Furthermore, staff have been assigned to stations to assist with cleanliness, queue management, and parking. Safety protocols prohibit passengers from using roofs, ladders, and joints as areas for travel, and security personnel are deployed alongside functional CCTV systems.
The meeting also reviewed the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) Migration Plan for the MRT lines. The Department of Rail Transport proposed addressing issues related to the transition to the EMV Contactless system, with Krung Thai Bank expediting the production of new cards expected to be available from April 8, 2026. The DRT emphasized the importance of raising passenger awareness and ensuring preparations by the MRTA and BEM for the transition.