Japanese Kiha 183 Train Ride to Lopburi Part 2 - King Narai Festival 2023 - Thailand

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering trips on a Japanese vintage train to monkey city, from Bangkok to Lopburi on the refurbished Kiha 183 diesel powered trains from Japan.

Seventeen used passenger train carriages from Japan’s Hokkaido Railway Company arrived in Chonburi last December, with the SRT paying 42.5 million baht for shipping.

The trains have been refurbished at SRT’s maintenance and repair center in Bangkok’s Makkasan area. Three of the 17 diesel powered trains delivered in December 2021 are ready to be used. The trains will be in use for another 15 to 20 years.

Carriages of the Kiha 183 series were manufactured between 1981 and 1982 and decommissioned in 2017. They had been used as limited express trains in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture.

The trains were developed specially to withstand the harsh, snowy winters in northern Japan. The driver’s cab of Kiha 183 is elevated for better visibility during snowfall. The slow train to monkey city features a “slant nose” designed to keep snow out of the front of the train.

The trip cost 599 baht with only 200 seats available each day.

The train leaves Bangkok’s historic Hua Lamphong Railway Station and arrives at Thailand’s famous monkey city, Lopburi.

The train to Lopburi leads to a sightseeing tour of the historical area of the city, which dates back over 3,500 years, as well as cultural performances and light and sound shows.

Lopburi is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, home to King Narai’s Palace and Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat. A visit to Lopburi is often a good way to get off the usual tourist trail of Thai cities.

After taking the train to Lopburi we go on a tour by sightseeing bus of the area. Sights along the way include many of the temple ruins in the area, the french ambassador residence and the palace complex of King Narai. There is also a market offering local foods and the amazing temple of Wat Mahathat.

Enjoy the video!

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