SRT Special 952 Train from Lopburi to Bangkok Hua Lamphong by KiHa 183 series (キハ183系)
The Special 952 is a tour train for the return leg from Lopburi to Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Lopburi by ex-JR Hokkaido Limited Express Okhotsk KiHa 183 series after an afternoon and evening out in Lopburi for the King Narai the Great Fair 2023. After the Lopburi tram tour and visit to King Narai the Great Fair 2023, it’s time to head back to Bangkok with a night ride on board the ex-JR Hokkaido KiHa 183 series.
Lopburi Railway Station
The façade of Lopburi Railway Station at night.
The concourse of Lopburi Railway Station.
The KiHa 183 series train was still in a siding when I arrived back at Lopburi Railway Station early.
Just a few seconds after the above photo was taken though, the KiHa 183 shunts over to Platform 2.
Platform 2 is easily accessed by crossing the track of Platform 1 to the island platform.
The KiHa 183 approaching Lopburi Railway Station Platform 2.
KiHa 183 series • キハ183系
The Special 952 KiHa 183 series at Lopburi Railway Station Platform 2.
The onward and return trips on board the Special 951/952 KiHa 183 tour train are ticketed in the same car and seat number.
Seats have been rotated to the direction of travel.
My seat at 14D, once rotated to face Bangkok, no longer has the full window view.
Over at Car 1, the special SRT headrest covers have been swapped out to a generic white one.
The KiHa 183 train seat map created by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) for this 4-car KiHa 183 train set in Thailand formation.
The legroom available on board the KiHa 183.
To my surprise, rubbish was not cleared from seat pockets during the train’s long layover in Lopburi. The trash would also have technically moved 2 rows from the original owner owing to the rotation of the seats.
I took it upon myself to remove the trash from my and my neighbour’s seat.
A bottle of water was handed out by SRT staff before departure.
The Special 952 KiHa 183 train departed from Lopburi Railway Station at 8.33pm – 3 minutes delayed.
SRT staff welcome passengers on board, now in a Thai dress, and distribute a gift to bring home.
A waved basket was given which contains mooncakes, salted eggs, and an orange.
The “passenger” passes were then collected back from everyone, while asking passengers to fill up a survey by scanning the QR code.
As with SRT tour trains, a game followed with passengers asked to find lucky numbers on bank notes in everyone’s wallets.
The grand prize up for grabs is a metal KiHa 183 keychain.
After each matching number is announced, staff give out small tickets to enter into the next round which is to match lucky numbers on a bank card.
Unfortunately for me, none of the numbers announced matched the Thai bank notes I had in my wallet.
The game ended after giving out the keychain, with the SRT staff telling everyone who wanted the keychain but did not win it to book the next KiHa 183 trip to Chachoengsao where this keychain would be given out to everyone.
Ouch.
The rest of the train journey was uneventful with the late hours.
Ayutthaya Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Ayutthaya Railway Station.
Passing through Bang Pa-In Railway Station royal pavilion at a slow speed.
Passing through Bang Pa-In Railway Station.
Rangsit Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Rangsit Railway Station.
Don Mueang Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Don Mueang Railway Station.
Bang Sue Junction Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Bang Sue Junction Railway Station.
A number of passengers alighted at Bang Sue Junction Railway Station.
Sam Sen Railway Station
Making a brief stop at Sam Sen Railway Station.
Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station
The Special 952 KiHa 183 train arrived at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station right on time at 11pm.
Stepping down from the KiHa 183 to the low platform at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Thank you car キハ182-22 for the day out to Lopburi.
SRT staff are at the platform to thank all passengers for riding with the KiHa 183.
The KiHa 183 back at the quiet Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station. Surprisingly, not many passengers stayed behind to take more photos with the KiHa 183, perhaps they were rushing for the last public transport home.
Taking a last look at the KiHa 183 for the day at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Heading out of the platform area at Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station before it closes for the night. The closing time was already extended with the late scheduled arrival of the KiHa 183 tour train.
The façade of Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
Conclusion
While the onward Special 951 has a Japanese experience on board the KiHa 183, the return Special 952 had a Thai experience following the visit to the King Narai the Great Fair 2023 with SRT staff in Thai dresses and the Thai souvenir snacks given out. The sharp-on-time arrival in to Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station, however, was quite Japanese. Perhaps the empty line from Wat Samian Nari to Hua Lamphong helped, now that there are no long distance trains serving Bangkok Hua Lamphong Railway Station which are most of the late night arrivals and departures last time.
It was a great experience on board the ex-JR Hokkaido Limited Express Okhotsk KiHa 183 series in Thailand. It’s good to see the Limited Express Okhotsk in Thailand refurbished with a new life, which looks to be able to run for many more years to come.