Calendar of Festivals and Events 2023
The following are the dates for special events, anniversaries, and festivals linked to the railway in Thailand.
2023
- 26th March: Steam train trip to Ayutthaya
- 1st-3rd April: Kaeng Khoi Second World War Commemoration Festival *
- 3rd June: Steam train trip to Nakhon Pathom
- 28th July: Steam train trip to Ayutthaya
- 12th August: Steam train trip to Chachoengsao
- 23rd October: Steam train trip to Ayutthaya
- November-December: River Kwai Bridge Week **
- 26th November: Monkey Party in Lopburi
- November-January: Floating Train Excursion ***
- 5th December: Steam train trip to Chachoengsao
* Kaeng Khoi Second World War Commemoration Festival
This festival in Kaeng Khoi in Saraburi commemorates an air-raid by Allied bombers on 3rd April 1944 that targeted the workshops in the railway yard. Unfortunately, some of the local population were also killed. The festival is usually a 3-4 day event taking place during the first few days of April every year. The event features a light and sound show depicting the lives of people in Kaeng Khoi district during the Second World War, cultural performances, a folk song contest, sports competitions and exhibitions of attractions in Kaeng Khoi district. The State Railway of Thailand arranges special daily trips for people planning to take part in the activity.
Map for Wat Kaeng Khoi:
** River Kwai Bridge Week and Kanchanaburi Red Cross Fair
The annual ‘River Kwai Bridge Week and Kanchanaburi Red Cross Fair’ from the end of November to the beginning of December at the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. It is staged to honour the Allied PoWs and Asian labourers forced by the Japanese army to build the infamous Death Railway during World War II. The highlight is a light and sound show, while there is also other entertainment like cultural and concert performances, exhibitions, food and music and the sale of locally made products.
Map for the River Khwae Bridge:
*** Floating Train Excursion (Rot Fai Loi Nam)
During the winter months, the State Railway of Thailand organises special excursion trains at the weekends to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam. When it reaches the dam, the train stops for 20 minutes for tourists to enjoy the scenery and take pictures, and then continues to the last station at Khok Salung where it stops for 30 minutes for tourists to enjoy shopping for OTOP products. Then it returns to the dam for tourists to have leisure time and lunch for around five hours.
Map for Pa Sak Jolasid Dam: