BANGKOK: The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is opening bookings from Monday (April 22) for tourists on its special Kiha 183 tourism train, which will make 14 trips on nine routes, a senior official said on Sunday.
Ekkarat Sriarayanpong, head of the SRT governor's office, said the 14 weekend trips would be available from May to June this year and they would include one-day trips and overnight trips.
Trips in May would be held under the concept of travelling along the wind trails and trips in June trips follow the concept of travelling under a clear sky to visit forests and floral gardens.
Ekkarat said interested tourists can start booking for the trips on Monday. Each trip has limited number of 202 seats.
The price includes train tickets, tickets for air-conditioned buses in case of further travel needs, and entrance fees for various places of each trip, food and drinks as well as accident insurance.
Tourists can book the trips at railway stations around the country or via the SRT’s online booking system, D-Ticket platform.
The trips are:
First and second trips: They are one-day visits on May 4-5 to "Unseen Saraburi" for 1,499 baht. Tourists will be taken to Wat Tham Phra Phothisat, Sang Suk Market, Ruam Sang Community, Khao Noi Phra Phutthabat Temple, Hor Namasikarn and some other cultural unseen tourist sites.
Third trip: The so-called “Night Run on the Beach” trip will be an overnight trip on May 11-12 to Chonburi province. Tourists will be taken to join the “Night Run on the Beach” (Doraemon Run). The trip costs 3,999 baht per person.
Fourth and fifth trips: They are one-day trips on May 18-19 to Chachoengsao province. Tourists will get a boat ride to observe the way of life of communities on the Bang Pakong banks and will be taken to pay respects to Wat Veerachote Thammaram and also visit the the glass chapel in the middle of the river. The price is 1,499 baht per person.
Sixth trip: This is an overnight trip to Phetchaburi province on May 25-26. Tourists will visit the Mrigadayvan Palace and pay respects to Phetchaburi’s sacred “phya naga” image, whch is 31 metres high and two metres wide and 227 metres long at Wat Tham Change in Tambon Khao Yai of Cha-am district. Tourists will also get to enjoy bike riding, swim in the sea and play banana boats. The cost is 3,999 baht per person.
Seventh and eighth trips: This is a one-day trip to Lopburi province on June 1-2. Tourists will get to visit a forest of resin trees and join the replanting of the trees. They will also get to join building nests for parakeets and learn the way of life of a community of Laotian descendants as well as visit a museum. The cost is 1,499 baht.
Ninth trip: This will be an overnight trip to Chachoengsao and Nakhon Nayok provinces on June 8-9. Tourists will visit the Nang Rong Waterfall and enjoy rafting as well as visiting the Khun Dan Prakanchon Dam. They will also visit Chong Lom Waterfall to see butterflies and visit the Tham Wong Manee Maha Nagaraj cave. The price is 3,999 baht per person.
10th and 11th trips: This one-day trip to Prachinburi province is scheduled for June 15-16. Tourists will take part in planting a forest and visit Wat Kaew Phichit and the Prachinburi Museum as well as the Khao Eto National Park. They will get to visit communities to taste foods and buy souvenirs and agricultural products. The price is 1,499 baht.
12th trip: This overnight trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan province takes place on June 22-23. Visitors will get to swim at the Suan Son Pradipat Beach and visit Rajabhakti Park as well as pay respects at Wat Huay Mongkol. They will also visit Khao Tao reservoir, which is the royal irrigation project of King Rama IX and visit the Cicada Market. The price is 3,999 per person.
13th and 14th trips: These are one-day trips to Ayutthaya province on June 29-30. Tourists can join forest replanting and paddy rice planting as well as visit the Ayutthaya Museum. They will also visit the Father’s Home sufficiency economy learning project and enjoy boat rides to visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Temple and check in at the Japanese graveyard. The cost is 1,499 baht per person. - The Nation/ANN
