Shipping containers purchased for Southeastern Railroad Transit (SRT)
State Railway of Thailand to Boost Freight Capacity with New Container Flatcars
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to enhance its freight handling capacity with the addition of 946 new container flatcars, as approved by the Cabinet in August 2025. This project, valued at 2.46 billion baht, is a significant step towards meeting growing demand, particularly in connection with double-track rail projects and new railway routes.
The new flatcars, designed to replace ageing freight cars, will be assembled locally using a combination of Thai-made and imported components. Each flatcar will boast a load capacity of 62 tonnes, capable of carrying two shipping containers. This will allow the SRT to transport heavy goods such as industrial salt, fertilisers, plastic pellets, and sugar more efficiently.
The project aligns with the SRT's strategic roadmap for 2023–2027 and prioritized within the 2026 fiscal action plan. Although a detailed public schedule for tender or contract steps is not yet available, procurement is moving forward post Cabinet approval in mid-2025. The SRT aims to finalize tender documents by February 2023.
Thailand's strategic location in Southeast Asia supports its role as a regional logistics hub, especially for transporting containers. The new flatcars will be used for transporting containers from cities like Nong Khai, Chiang Khong, Hat Yai, and Ubon Ratchathani to Laem Chabang Port, which serves as a gateway for global exports.
With this procurement, the SRT expects to increase its annual cargo transportation by over nine million tonnes. This expansion will boost the rail freight capacity of the SRT, making it a more attractive option for the industrial sector seeking to transport heavy goods.
[1] For the latest updates on the tender and contract steps for this project, please visit the official State Railway of Thailand website.
The new container flatcars, an integral part of the State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) ambitious plan, will not only increase the rail freight capacity but also cater to the growing demand from the industrial sector, particularly in industries like finance, automotive, and transportation. With the SRT aiming to boost its annual cargo transportation by over nine million tonnes, it will undeniably become a more appealing choice for businesses seeking efficient and cost-effective transportation solutions.
The SRT's strategic location in Southeast Asia, coupled with the new flatcars, will significantly enhance Thailand's role as a regional logistics hub, facilitating seamless movement of containers between cities like Nong Khai, Chiang Khong, Hat Yai, Ubon Ratchathani, and Laem Chabang Port, serving as a gateway for global exports. This milestone in the SRT's strategic roadmap for 2023–2027 is expected to create more opportunities for businesses involved in finance, transportation, and automotive sectors.
){kind=link}