The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will officially launch services on 22 May 2026. The "prayer compartment" on board southern line trains. This service supports Muslim passengers traveling home during the Eid al-Adha festival, with full safety measures implemented along the route.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn stated that he recognizes the importance of performing religious duties while traveling and is concerned for Thai Muslim citizens. He urgently instructed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to convert "prayer compartments" to be attached to southern line trains to support the Eid al-Adha festival, highlighting a travel vision that is inclusive and attentive to all religions. The service will begin from 22 May 2026 onward.
With care and understanding of the lifestyle of Thai Muslims who travel home during important festivals, Mr. Pipat proactively ordered the SRT to quickly convert passenger cars into dedicated "prayer compartments." These are essential for religious practices, allowing Muslim passengers to perform their rituals onboard comfortably and properly according to religious principles.
He also firmly instructed the SRT regarding "safety measures." All parties must strictly inspect train readiness and equipment, assign personnel to monitor via CCTV systems at stations and onboard nationwide, and coordinate with railway police to ensure confidence throughout the journey.
Anan Phonnimdaeng, Deputy Governor and Acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, said the SRT has been given a mandate to facilitate convenience and ensure safety during Eid al-Adha travel, which falls on 28 May 2026 this year.
The SRT has converted third-class coaches into open spaces divided into four separate rooms, clearly separated by gender, and installed ablution facilities to comply with religious requirements. These prayer compartments will be attached to two express trains:
Express trains 171/172 Bangkok-Apiwat – Sungai Kolok – Bangkok-Apiwat,
and express trains 169/170 Bangkok-Apiwat – Yala – Bangkok-Apiwat.
Beyond supporting religious activities, the SRT has added extra passenger cars to express trains 173/174 Bangkok-Apiwat – Nakhon Si Thammarat – Bangkok-Apiwat to reduce congestion during holiday periods. This service began on 15 May. This upgrade, alongside ongoing seat reservations for monks in third-class carriages, reflects equal care for passengers of all faiths.
Eid al-Adha, or the 'Great Eid,' is an important festival for Muslims worldwide. It occurs in the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, symbolizing sacrifice and faith. On this day, Muslims gather to celebrate and share happiness. The introduction of prayer compartments represents a thoughtful gift from the government to its citizens.
Passengers wishing to travel can inquire further by contacting the customer service center at 1690, available 24 hours, or through the SRT's PR team Facebook page. They can also check train times and track train locations in real-time athttps://ttsview.railway.co.th/v3/to ensure peace of mind from departure to arrival.
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