Airport Rail Link Resumes Full Service After Depot Derailment

The Airport Rail Link resumed full service at 10:07pm on Wednesday after officials removed a train that had derailed at its depot in Bangkok's Khlong Tan area. Anan Phonimdaeng, governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), said full services between Phaya Thai and Suvarnabhumi airport stations resumed after officials cleared the train and inspected a railway switch at the site in the Khlong Tan depot. SRT, SRT Electrified Train Co (SRTET) and Asia Era One Co had yet to conclude their investigation into the derailment, Mr Anan said. Asia Era One, which took over the Airport Rail Link operation from SRTET, said it would replace the railway switch and upgrade the reversing loop at the depot where the derailment happened to prevent a similar incident from recurring. The derailment occurred at the depot at 12:47am on Wednesday when an Airport Rail Link train left the tracks as it was returning to the depot after completing its daily service at midnight. The incident disrupted train deployment throughout Wednesday, leaving only one train in operation at hourly intervals instead of every 10 to 15 minutes. Airport Rail Link connects inner Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport, which is Thailand’s main gateway. It operates from 5:30am to midnight with six to eight trains in service depending on traffic. Its EMV contactless fare payment system has also resumed operation.