Bangkok: The Department of Rail Transport revealed that the number of travelers on the last day of the year, December 31st, exceeded 1.42 million people.
According to Thai News Agency, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported a record-breaking surge in passengers on New Year's Eve due to countdown events, with the Gold Line seeing a significant 25% increase.
Mr. Pichet Kunathamarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, shared that the total number of passenger-trips reached 1,429,462 on December 31, 2025. This figure was 6.48% lower than the estimates set for the day. Despite the lower-than-expected numbers, the Gold Line broke records with its highest ridership since December 26, 2025, largely fueled by the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2026 at ICONSIAM. The BTS Skytrain extended its operating hours to manage the influx, although it saw a decrease of approximately 95,000 passenger-trips compared to the previous year.
The intercity trains managed a total of 98,407 passenger-trips with 213 services, including 9 special trains. The Southern Line saw the highest number of passengers with 32,702 trips, while other lines such as the Northeast and Northern Lines also reported significant numbers. BTS operators increased train frequency to handle peak traffic, especially on the Yellow and Gold Lines, which recorded higher-than-estimated passenger numbers due to major countdown events.
Despite successful management of passenger flow, the day was marred by an accident involving an intercity train. A motorcyclist ignored a lowered automatic level crossing barrier, resulting in a fatal collision. Additionally, a malfunction in the Gold Line's power supply caused a 44-minute delay, but was swiftly resolved to minimize disruptions.
To accommodate continued New Year's travel, the SRT has scheduled additional special trains for January 1, 2026, on various lines, including the Northern, Northeastern, and Southern Lines. Mr. Pichet commended the overall facilitation of services but expressed concerns about recurring accidents at railway crossings. He urged the public to adhere to traffic regulations to ensure safety during the holiday period.