Thailand: Chotchai Charoenngam, chairman of the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency, announced the plans at the Asia Pacific Rail trade fair in Bangkok.
According to Railway Gazette, the planned diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU) will be designed for Thailand’s 1,000 mm gauge network. Top speed will be 160 km/h, although operations are expected to be capped at 140 km/h owing to infrastructure constraints. Later versions are expected to be fitted with a traction battery. No multiple-unit rolling stock is currently built in Thailand.
The project is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Rail Transport and State Railway of Thailand (SRT). It started in September 2025 with the selection of Thai companies from the automotive sector. Negotiations with international manufacturers are also under way.
According to Railway Gazette, the prototype is being designed by Italian engineering firm Blue Engineering, which has previously worked on Hitachi Rail’s ETR 1000 high-speed trains and trains for Türasaş. RTRDA expects the prototype to be ready in 2027-2028.
Thailand began work on reviving domestic rolling stock production several years ago. In 2023, the country unveiled its first passenger coach built domestically in 40 years, developed by King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. The coach reportedly uses 40% locally made components and is 30% cheaper than imported equivalents.
