BANGKOK -- The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Monday unveiled to the media 17 used railroad cars acquired from Hokkaido Railway Co. (JR Hokkaido) at the Laem Chabang Port in central Thailand.
The SRT reportedly plans to refurbish the cars before using them mainly for chartered train services.
The trains to be introduced by the SRT are Kiha 183 type diesel cars used by JR Hokkaido for limited express services.
According to the SRT and others, Thailand will bear the cars' transportation costs.
Used railroad cars manufactured in Japan are very popular in Southeast Asian countries, because they have been well maintained.
However, the introduction of the diesel train cars -- manufactured more than 30 years ago -- had caused some controversy in Thailand. Some people have said it is unclear whether their introduction is worth the transportation cost.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
