Bangkok: The Department of Rail Transport has reported that rail system usage on New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, surpassed 1 million trips. This spike in rail travel was attributed to the extended holiday period, as many people delayed their return to Bangkok. To accommodate this influx, additional train services have been arranged.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pichet Kunathamarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport (DRT), disclosed comprehensive data on rail travel for January 1, 2026. The total number of journeys reached 1,052,228 passenger-trips, which was slightly below the estimate by 2.28%. Many individuals commenced their return from hometowns on this day. The breakdown is as follows:
Intercity trains (SRT) recorded 94,678 passenger-trips, exceeding the estimate by 2.21%. This figure included 37,040 commercial passenger trips and 57,638 social passenger trips, facilitated by 208 train services, including four special passenger trains. Specific data for each line is as follows:
- Southern Line: 30,382 passenger-trips via 63 trains.
- Northeast Line: 21,871 passenger-trips via 48 trains.
- Northern Line: 16,252 passenger-trips via 33 trains.
- Eastern Line: 11,111 passenger-trips via 22 trains.
- Mahachai and Maeklong lines: 15,062 passenger-trips via 42 trains.
The BTS Skytrain system handled 957,550 passenger-trips, 2.71% lower than the estimate, with continued usage by tourists traveling to key locations in Bangkok. There were no service disruptions. Passenger data is as follows:
- Green Line: 486,352 trips with 1,088 trips provided.
- Blue Line: 286,004 trips with 318 trips provided.
- ARL: 53,730 trips with 174 trips provided.
- Yellow Line: 34,603 trips with 216 trips provided.
- Pink Line: 31,285 trips with 432 trips provided.
- Purple Line: 29,336 trips with 218 trips provided.
- Red Line: 22,307 trips with 294 trips provided.
- Gold Line: 13,933 trips with 217 trips provided.
The SRT reported three incidents on January 1, 2026: a motorcycle collision at a level crossing, an injury from a passenger jumping off a moving train, and a case of chest pain in a foreign passenger, all of which were attended to promptly.
Comparing statistics to New Year's Day 2025, overall rail travel volume decreased by 3%, with the SRT experiencing a 10.87% decrease and the electric train system a 2.14% decrease. This change is attributed to the differing holiday schedule in 2026, which included an additional public holiday on January 2nd, allowing for a 5-day break from December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
To manage travel demands on January 2, 2026, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has arranged two additional special trains for people returning to Bangkok: Northern Line, Train 6 (Chiang Mai - Bangkok Aphiwat) and Southern Line, Train 984 (Yala - Bangkok Aphiwat).
Mr. Pichet concluded by stating that the Department of Rail Transport and service providers are well-prepared to handle the expected surge of travelers returning to Bangkok during the remaining holidays on January 3-4, 2026. He urged drivers to exercise caution at railway crossings to prevent accidents and wished everyone a safe journey back to work in 2026.