Chiang Mai trains resume normal service after landslide repairs; passengers upbeat

On 14 June 2026, the State Railway of Thailand announced that the section of railway damaged by a landslide — which had disrupted travel to and from Chiang Mai — has been repaired and reopened for normal service. The line was closed last Sunday when a landslide beside the track near Khun Tan station in Lamphun province buried parts of the track and left structural rail elements that required careful inspection before the line could be returned to passenger use.

The landslide occurred during heavy rain, when soil and debris from the hillside slid down and covered the track. Several services were forced to slow down or be rerouted temporarily. Station staff and emergency railway maintenance teams assessed the damage and carried out emergency measures, removing rocks, soil and other obstructions from the track and strengthening the embankment and drainage around the affected site.

The impact on passengers and tourism in Chiang Mai was limited compared with the potential for a wider disruption. Tour operators and shuttle service providers said that during holidays and the high season, train delays affect a number of tourists’ itineraries, forcing them to coordinate with customers to reschedule departures and arrange alternative transport. However, reopening the line has quickly restored confidence among tourists and regular passengers.

The railway authority said the repairs were a joint effort between the State Railway’s engineering teams, local agencies and community volunteers. All track structures and signaling systems were inspected before services restarted to ensure maximum safety. In addition to temporary repairs, teams planned long-term reinforcement of the embankment by installing landslide barriers, larger drainage pipes and groundcover planting to reduce erosion over time.

Provincial security and natural disaster prevention units warned the public to follow announcements from the railway closely during heavy rains. Mountain communities along the railway were advised to prepare evacuation plans and check their homes to prevent repeated incidents. Tour operators added that if the line is closed again, alternatives such as private cars and bus services are important and should be booked in advance.

For tourists planning to travel to Chiang Mai at this time, officials recommend checking timetables with the State Railway of Thailand and following updates from origin and destination stations. As locals in Chiang Mai return to bustling activity in transport hubs, local markets and tourist sites, vendors and service businesses expressed relief that the railway is back in operation and called for long-term measures to cope with the rainy season’s risks to the rail system.