THAILAND: The Rail Technology Research & Development Agency is working on the development of a domestic diesel-electric multiple-unit, RTRDA Chairman Chotchai Charoenngam announced at the Asia Pacific Rail 2026 conference and trade fair in Bangkok on May 6.
The project is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Rail Transport and State Railway of Thailand. RTRDA expects the prototype vehicle to be completed in 2027 or 2028.
A key objective is to put in place a certified rail manufacturing process compliant with European standards, which would enable Thailand to become self-reliant in railway technology.
The project started in September 2025 with the selection of Thai companies working in the automotive sector and its supply chain to enter the rail market as component manufacturers. Negotiations have also been underway with international manufacturers including Vossloh and companies from South Korea and Japan.
The design of the prototype DEMU is currently being carried out by Italy’s Blue Engineering which also worked on Turkey’s National Train project.
The trains are intended to operate regional services on the country’s existing metre-gauge network which is being extensively double-tracked. They will have a maximum design speed of 160 km/h, although they are expected to be restricted to 140 km/h in traffic.
The prototype is to be equipped to operate using overhead electric traction, but will be fitted with a diesel module for use on non-electrified lines. Later models are expected to be equipped with an onboard battery instead.