All weekend sightseeing trains will be out of service from Saturday and 30 regular passenger rail services will be suspended starting on Wednesday to limit travel that could further expand the Covid-19 outbreak across the country.
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Niruj Maneepun ordered all 12 trains offering one-day trips to and from Hua Lamphong station on weekends to cease operations from Saturday onwards, according to a post on the SRT Facebook page on Friday.
They include trains to Nam Tok to visit the Sai Yok waterfall in Kanchanaburi, Pasak Jolasid dam in Lop Buri, Suanson Pradipat in Hua Hin, and Ban Plu Ta Luang station near Pattaya.
Mr Niruj said 30 regular trains to and from northern, northeastern and southern destinations would cease operating from Wednesday until the end of February.
They include six express and rapid trains to and from Chiang Mai, and two rapid trains to and from Denchai on the northern route.
The northeastern line cutbacks include four express trains serving Ubon Ratchathani, four rapid trains to and from Ubon Ratchathani and four express trains serving Nong Khai.
On the southern route, the SRT is cutting two express trains to and from Hat Yai, four express trains to and from Surat Thani and two express trains to and from Trang, along with two rapid trains from Hat Yai to Sungai Kolok and vice versa.
The railway agency said the cancellations were aimed at stemming the spread of the virus.
Passengers who have booked tickets can get full refunds. For more details, they can contact the customer service number at 1690 around the clock.
