Thailand: The country has recently announced plans to develop its own multiple-unit rolling stock, and in 2023 the country unveiled its first passenger coach to be built domestically in 40 years. Named Beyond Horizon, the coach was handed over to national operator SRT after testing.
The premium-class coach was developed under the Thai Railway Made research project, overseen by Thailand’s Ministry of Transport and funded by the national Thailand Research Fund. King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang led the development, while manufacturing was handled by the SinoGen-Pinpetch joint venture.
According to the developers, 44% of the coach’s components were produced by local companies, including the seat upholstery, windows, paint, lighting systems and air conditioning. The coach therefore cost 30% less than imported equivalents, at THB 32 mln (approximately $1 mln). The 1,000 mm gauge vehicle was designed and tested to European standards. It is 24 m long and 2.8 m wide, and rated for operation at up to 120 km/h on routes of 200-500 km.
The interior has two classes of service: eight Super Luxury Class seats and 17 Luxury Class seats. Each seat has a seatback screen showing journey information and entertainment programmes.
