News Forum - Japan donates used diesel trains, Thais criticise acquisition over transport costs

[Thaiger]

Japan has donated 17 second-hand diesel trains to Thailand which will be refurbished and ready to be in service in the Kingdom by 2023. The trains are the KiHa 183 series, which were constructed in the 1980s and late 1990s and were last used for UR Hokkaido limited express services. The State Railway of Thailand says the used trains can be operated for another 50 years. The Thai government paid 42.5 million baht in transportation costs to ship the trains from Japan to Thailand. Some Thais have criticised that the acquisition of the decades-old diesel cars was not worth the […]

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[Mongo]

Can you imagine diesel trains in service in polluted Thailand long after the rest of the world has gone electric?  Why would you even consider this given the expected reductions in carbon emissions. 
 

For that matter, want to buy a Toyota truck?  You can choose from any diesel you want.  

[Buttaxe]

Still waiting to hear when Thailand gives something to foreigners, seems to be a one-way street. 

[Pompies]

So they are ripping out all the mechanicals, seating etc and changing the gauge to metre gauge! Seems they only bought the shells which look seriously dated and a tad rusty. Could it be that someone in SRT owns train rebuilding businesses, or has a "friend" who can do the rebuild for a good price? I bet that the travellers who use the brand new Lao high speed trains will enjoy the trip to Bangkok on these antiques.

[Jason]

The thought of trains coming from Japan on Thai railways has a certain irony that only an Aussie would understand.

[Stonker]

10 minutes ago, Jason said:

The thought of trains coming from Japan on Thai railways has a certain irony that only an Aussie would understand.

A lot of Thais and Burmese would too.

[Jason]

Yes...you're absolutely right!!

[Cathat]

13 hours ago, Buttaxe said:

Still waiting to hear when Thailand gives something to foreigners, seems to be a one-way street. 

I believe a fair few foreigners have been given thai rose over the years.

[HiuMak]

18 hours ago, Thaiger said:

Japan has donated 17 second-hand diesel trains to Thailand which will be refurbished and ready to be in service in the Kingdom by 2023. The trains are the KiHa 183 series, which were constructed in the 1980s and late 1990s and were last used for UR Hokkaido limited express services. The State Railway of Thailand says the used trains can be operated for another 50 years. The Thai government paid 42.5 million baht in transportation costs to ship the trains from Japan to Thailand. Some Thais have criticised that the acquisition of the decades-old diesel cars was not worth the […]

The story Japan donates used diesel trains, Thais criticise acquisition over transport costs as seen on Thaiger News.

Read the full story

Japanese usually keep their stuff pretty well. Will not be surprised if these trains are still in good condition even they are 40 years old