Book Reviews Uncategorised

Rails of the Kingdom: The history of Thai railways

by Leonard H. Le Blanc III

by Ichiro Kakizaki.

White Lotus Press, 2012, 228 pages. www.seateservices.online

For well over a millennium in Thailand goods and people simply moved at the speed of a cart, human foot power or boat. Railroads changed everything here. Finally there was a transportation system that united the whole country with rails of steel. 

Rails of the Kingdom is a book aimed at a general readership. It presents a broad history of Thailand’s state railways system from the late 19th century down to the present. It covers how the railroad system came into being and the rail policy changes over the decades. It is also filled with 100 photographs, with many informative charts, tables and maps as references. It also reports on the development of inter regional rail networks.

Additionally, the author overviews urban railways in Bangkok that includes the elevated light rail system, subway or underground, and the airport rail link. Also included are a comparison with road transport and highway development. There are brief descriptions of other rail systems in neighbouring countries. For hardcore Thai railroad fans.

(Visited 376 times, 1 visits today)
Avatar photo
The author is the Dean, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement and Professor of Social Sciences and Human Security at the American University of Sovereign Nations, a new on-line, U.S.-based university and also General Manager of SEATE Services. Additionally he is a Contributing Editor of Expat Life in Thailand magazine. Len has written and been a story contributor for TIME Magazine, Literary Editor for the Pattaya Trader magazine and authored four books on Amazon. He has also edited numerous books for the White Lotus Press. He holds nine academic degrees, has travelled extensively and lived all around the world and a retired U.S. Naval Reserve officer. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife Lena, daughter L.J. and son J.L.
Previous Post

You heard it here first: Bangkok’s early newspapers and broadsheets.

August 5, 2020
Next Post

Scramble for Rails: Japanese Military Transport on Thai Railways during World War II

August 5, 2020
Subscribe to the newsletter
Be the first to get updates, tips, and offers from Expat Life in Thailand Magazine!

Don't Worry. We Don't Spam.