The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) put three winter rail tours on sale at 10:00 on 11 November 2026: Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi on 27–29 November, Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) on 12–13 December and Sisaket on 18–20 December. Each is sold as one package with train, hotel, meals and guided sightseeing. Explera DMC Thailand explains what agents can use and what to reconfirm first.
Explera handles ground arrangements as a Thailand DMC for travel agents. Its Thai company, Explera DMC Co., Ltd., holds TAT licence 14/05119, the Tourism Business Licence issued by the Department of Tourism, and the group is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and a member of ASTA (900408341). Write to b2b@explera.co.th.
What are the three SRT winter rail tours?
The Nation reported the launch on 11 November as "Winter Rail Getaways", and Bangkok Biz News carried the same programme a day later. That phrase is the newspaper's headline; SRT's own trip names are below.
- Kanchanaburi – Sangkhlaburi Slow Life, 27–29 November (3 days, 2 nights). The Bridge over the River Kwai, Tham Krasae, Hin Dat Hot Spring, the Mon Bridge, Wat Wang Wiwekaram, the "sunken town" (Mueang Badan) and Three Pagodas Pass. Two hotel nights and nine meals.
- The Heritage Trail Korat, 12–13 December (2 days, 1 night). Phimai National Museum, the Phimai stone sanctuary, the Thao Suranari Monument, Chumphon Gate and a pottery session at Dan Kwian. One hotel night and six meals.
- The Sound of Sisaket, 18–20 December (3 days, 2 nights). Travel on the SRT Royal Blossom or Beyond Horizon carriages, then Phu Makheua, Wat Pa Ariyatham, a giant cactus garden and VIP entry to the Thailand World Music Championships 2026. Two hotel nights and nine meals.
Both reports say the package covers the hotel, the stated meals, transport during the trip and guided sightseeing. Ask the trade desk for current prices.
Who do these rail tours suit?
They suit repeat visitors, long-stay guests, expatriates and rail enthusiasts who want a slow, sociable trip into the provinces. The Sisaket departure is the only one of the three that names its train, and it is sold by train and seat category. These are fixed public departures on set dates, so they fit a client whose dates can move to meet the train, not a group that needs its own timetable. Our guide to Thailand's sleeper trains and scenic lines covers the regular services that run every day.
How can an agent use an SRT excursion train in a programme?
Treat the rail tour as a fixed block and build around it. Add Bangkok nights before and after, with a private transfer to and from the station through our transport team. If the dates do not match, or the client needs a guide in their own language, a Thailand DMC can run the same places privately by road or regular train: see our pages on Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima and Sisaket, and our excursions and day trips service. The rest of what we do is on our Thailand DMC services page.
What should agents reconfirm before selling?
Neither report answers these points, so check each one before you quote a client.
- Foreign passengers. Booking is through SRT's D-Ticket website and app, the 1690 hotline and station counters. The reports do not say whether foreign passport holders can buy the packages on every channel.
- Language. No guide language is stated. Assume Thai until SRT says otherwise.
- Departure station and times. Not given for any of the three trips.
- Seats left and conditions. SRT asks buyers to check the full terms and the remaining seats before booking. The first trip leaves on 27 November.
- Road sections. The Kanchanaburi line ends at Nam Tok, well short of Sangkhlaburi, so expect part of that trip to be by road.
- The Sisaket event. We could not confirm the music championship's 2026 dates with its organiser. Last year's edition was listed for 17–21 December.
Next steps
Send us your client's dates, numbers and language through our contact page. The trade desk replies within 24 hours and will tell you whether the SRT departure or a private version fits better.
Sources
- Nation Thailand: 3 all-inclusive Winter Rail Getaways for the year-end holidays from SRT (11 November 2026)
- Bangkok Biz News (in Thai): SRT winter rail tours to Kanchanaburi, Korat and Sisaket (12 November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
When do the SRT winter rail tours run?
Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi on 27–29 November 2026, Korat on 12–13 December and Sisaket on 18–20 December. Sales opened at 10:00 on 11 November.
What is included in the SRT winter rail tours?
The reports list the hotel, a set number of meals, transport during the trip and guided sightseeing. The Sisaket trip adds VIP entry to the Thailand World Music Championships 2026.
Can foreign tourists book these SRT rail tours?
The reports do not say. SRT sells them through D-Ticket, the 1690 hotline and stations, and no guide language is stated, so reconfirm both points before you sell.
Can a Thailand DMC arrange the same route privately?
Yes. The same sights can be visited on your client's own dates with a private vehicle and a guide in their language, with a regular train section where the timetable allows. Ask the trade desk for a quote.
