Walk along the dirt road heading south. The old railway will be on the right side of the dirt road, along the area where the trucks are parked. However, you won't be able to see the railway at the beginning of the road. It's uncertain whether it has been buried or has disappeared.
The atmosphere of an old railway like this is probably unique in Thailand. If its not overrun by slums built over the tracks, youd have to trek through dense forests to find something similar. You cant just walk around and explore as comfortably as this.
While walking leisurely along the railway, it suddenly disappeared into the yard of a house. Even though the gate was open, Google didnt follow inside to take a look. Therefore, this exploration will end here for now. Ill find another angle to explore further soon.
Recently, locomotives and freight carriages have been moved to the Songkhla Railway Station in Boryang Subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla District, Songkhla Province. This is part of a project to restore the railway area around Songkhla Railway Station with the aim of preserving and developing the community learning center at the station, as well as promoting eco-tourism. Additionally, this effort aligns with the plan to develop Songkhla City into a World Heritage site.
The Songkhla railway line has been out of service since July 1, 1978, due to low revenue and declining passenger numbers. Continuing its operation would have resulted in losses, especially given the alternative transport options between Hat Yai and Songkhla, such as minivans and private cars.
Recently, the atmosphere at Songkhla Railway Station has been lively with old train carriages and multiple locomotives on display as community learning monuments and tourist photo spots. The platform and entrance area have become bustling markets where tourists shop and take photos with the locomotives from early morning. The morning atmosphere is beautiful, enhanced by the Sunday market, allowing visitors to enjoy tea or coffee while admiring the trains.
Moreover, the surrounding area, including the residential area, is being preserved and transformed into a public park for community recreation and exercise. Songkhla Railway Station is one of three historic stations in Thailand over 100 years old, along with Bang Pa-In and Kantang stations. Efforts are being made to recognize it as a valuable historic site, a community learning center, and a tourist destination.
"Stories of SRT Folks" on the morning of Sunday, June 9, 2024
A few days ago, I saw news about the relocation of Krupp, a retired German-blooded hydraulic diesel locomotive known as the "Flood Fighter," from Hat Yai along with its carriages to the former Songkhla railway station. This station is now part of a learning center dedicated to historical conservation, as the building itself, like many other railway stations in Thailand, is registered as a historic site due to its beautiful architecture.
The history of this railway line might not resonate with the newer generations, but if we go back forty or fifty years, this line was a vital artery for suburban rail transportation, connecting two cities and economies while remarkably reducing the disparity between them.
When mentioning the Songkhla railway station, one cannot help but think of the American diesel locomotive GEK 4044, one of the six legendary locomotives nicknamed "the Haunted Train Gang" due to the infamous incident in 1986 where six driverless locomotives traveled from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
In the narrative, you'll see GEK 4044 (which the newer generation might call "Great Grandfather") parked at the Songkhla station platform, surrounded by Hat Yai railway workers. Some individuals in the photo evoke memories of the atmosphere nearly 50 years ago.
In the photo, you'll see two men in navy uniforms. The tall mechanic standing in the middle is known as "Brother To," whose real name is Wisut Korcharoenwat. The person standing next to him is the driver, "Brother Nuk" (Somnuk Jitpirom), the older brother of "Adba," whom I mentioned in the steam locomotive MacArthur legend.
For those not familiar with the railway industry, it can be confusing to distinguish the various roles within the railway. In this photo, the men in khaki shorts and long pants without hats are known as "Khon Kan" (station staff), whether stationed at the station or on the train. The stylish man on the right in short sleeves and a red-banded hat is clearly the "Station Master." The man with a modest belly and a hat standing in front of Brother To is a brake operator named Chalermthai (his real name, not a cinema). The brake operator holding an orange folder is Brother Sombun Kaewkasem.
The culture of railway workers in the past was intriguing. If anyone asks about "multiculturalism," the railway industry of the past is a true example.
When thinking about Thai railway communities, many might think of the community at KM.11 near Bang Sue. In Hat Yai, the tracks separate two communities: the western side, called "Behind the Garage," and the eastern side, part of the old city plan known as Jia Ki Si, or behind the current Hat Yai railway station.
The railway community mixed people from various regions and cultures, with some coming from Kaeng Khoi, some sent from Bang Sue, and others from Pak Nam Pho (Nakhon Sawan). Many were local children from the North, South, Northeast, and West, creating a fascinating and lively cultural atmosphere.
Brother To's (Wisut's) house was across from mine, while Brother Nuk (the driver in the photo) lived behind my house. Brother To's father, known as "Ta Por (Por Korcharoenwat)," was a former steam locomotive driver who had driven many engines, both wood-fired and oil-fired, such as Mikado 361, 944, and Pacific oil-fired 848.
Brother To straddled the "ash and diesel" eras, starting as an electrician on various steam locomotives, including the ancient wood-fired Mikado numbers 901 and 911, and later as an electrician on oil-fired Mikado 970 and Pacific passenger engines 828. Pacific 824, still a legend today, is one of the steam locomotives that Brother To worked with.
The Korcharoenwat family has two railway bloodlines: Brother To (the eldest) and Brother Kie (deceased), while the others became teachers in famous Hat Yai schools. Ta Por, of Chinese descent, was diligent and needed to support his family, so his house became a grocery store run by his wife, "Aunt Wee," selling everything from traditional snacks to Western pastries.
In the railway neighborhood, a diverse population made life interesting, blending local songs, leaf flute music, Southern folk songs, and even Chinese tunes played by Ta Por after work. The railway staff's salary alone wasn't much, so they found additional ways to earn income, enriching the community with a variety of culinary delights.
Grandmother Chang, a small but energetic central Thai woman whose son was a train driver stationed in Hat Yai, brought central Thai dishes like crispy rice crackers with savory toppings, while Aunt Jue, wife of a train electrician from Phetchaburi, introduced sweet treats like Thong Yip and Thong Yod. These culinary treasures were sold at small folding tables in the railway area.
The railway community also had spiritual healers, exorcists, and various ritual practitioners, making it a place of holistic well-being.
Today, Brother To, now 77 years old, remains a living legend, a cherished folk memory that deserves to be recorded for future generations to read and smile as they remember their ancestors.
Summary of the Songkhla City Council meeting regarding agenda item 5.15: Request for approval to amend the budget statement for the Songkhla Railway Station Community Learning Center Conservation Project by the Engineering Office. The details are as follows:
1. Mr. Somchai Chantrapratin, Deputy Mayor of Songkhla City, proposed a motion to approve the amendment of the budget statement for the fiscal year 2022. The proposal suggested changing the budget allocation from repairing and renovating the locomotive, carriages, and freight cars to constructing restrooms, building a metal fence, and repairing the old railway station building. This change was due to the incomplete handover from the State Railway of Thailand and to maximize budget utilization.
2. Mr. Phitak Thongsuksai, a council member, expressed concerns about the severely deteriorated condition of the locomotive, carriages, and freight cars, questioning the source of funds for their repair as the new project focuses on constructing restrooms and fences.
3. Mr. Phorntep Surakamhaeng, another council member, suggested that the project should prioritize repairing the railway carriages before constructing restrooms and fences. He also questioned the type and purpose of the wooden sleepers present at the site.
4. Mr. Jakrapong Techaananttrakun, a council member, shared concerns about the deteriorated condition of the locomotive and carriages and requested that the administration clarify future plans for restoring the train.
5. The Mayor explained that this was an old project with multiple budget allocations over the years and issues with receiving the locomotive from the State Railway of Thailand. He acknowledged the severely deteriorated condition of the locomotive and proposed a new idea to transform the project into a "Haunted Train" tourist attraction, as the 4-million-baht budget would likely be insufficient for repairs.
6. The administration further clarified that Phase 3 of the project had not yet been handed over, and no payments had been made to contractors. The wooden sleepers at the site were part of the railway tracks to be used in the next phase of the project.
Finally, council members discussed and checked the quorum before voting to approve the amendment of the budget statement for the fiscal year 2022 as proposed in the motion.
**Talking About Trains with Warapong Raklee**
On the Show *Biking on Air*
Broadcast on PSU Radio, FM 88.0 MHz
Saturday, June 15, 2024, 10:00-11:00 AM
**Biking on Air**
Hosted by the Hatyai Bicycle Network and enthusiasts of walking and cycling.
Every Sunday, we discuss daily life cycling topics, such as commuting for meals, trips, or work. Cycling can be a daily activity, from Monday to Saturday. Today, our guest is Warapong Raklee from the SMART GROWTH HATYAI page.
At the beginning of the show, the host, Akenay Panjatep, introduced Warapong to discuss the Songkhla Train Station. The conversation included moving a locomotive to the old station, a registered historical site by the Fine Arts Department.
**Importance of Songkhla Train Station**
Warapong highlighted the historical and architectural significance of the Songkhla Train Station. Moving old locomotives and passenger cars to this station helps create an educational space, preserving the travel memories of the past. Although the relocated locomotive is not the original used on the Songkhla route, it holds value in creating a historical learning space.
**Bogie and Locomotive**
During the conversation, Warapong explained that "bogie" refers to the wheel set under a passenger car. The "Davenport locomotive" used on the Songkhla route has unique characteristics, with a single cab different from typical locomotives running the Hat Yai-Songkhla line.
**Restoration and Usage of the Station**
Warapong discussed the ongoing restoration project of the Songkhla Train Station, aiming to enhance its appearance and future use as a historical learning site.
The discussion also covered the use of bicycles in Hatyai, with insightful exchanges on the topic. In the Netherlands, cycling is common in both large and small cities, and public transportation accommodates bicycles, easing travel, especially for students commuting long distances, like from Hatyai to Songkhla. Trains that allow bicycles would make travel more convenient and safe.
In Thailand, the education and transport systems need to adapt to support cycling to school, such as reducing the weight of schoolbooks or adjusting teaching methods to facilitate cycling commutes. In Japan, a standardized education system ensures students don't need to compete for top schools, allowing them to walk or cycle to nearby schools without worrying about educational quality.
Additionally, promoting local electric bicycle production should be considered. Hatyai could become a model for creating electric bicycle businesses, boosting the local economy and generating jobs for the community.
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