At 18 kilometers long, this railway bridge in Lopburi province is probably the longest in Thailand. Its unique feature is that it doesn't run in a straight line, but rather describes a long curve. All of this makes it an extremely photogenic spot. So much so that it has become a tourist attraction, for which the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) offers day trips by train from Bangkok on weekends. On these special trips, the train stops on the bridge so that passengers can take photos. Normally, it crosses the bridge without stopping. The Khok Salung Railway Bridge is located on the Bua Yai – Kaeng Khoi railway line. It spans the reservoir of the Pasak Chonlasit Dam. The station and railway line were built after the old line was flooded following the construction of the dam. Apart from the long excursion trains from Bangkok, passenger trains on this line are quite short, as they carry only a few passengers. Personally, apart from one of the tourist trains, I don't consider the bridge a must-see when visiting Lopburi. But if you're not far away, why not make a detour?

Day trips on the Rod Fai Loi Nam (Thai for "train that floats on water"), which crosses the Khok Salung railway bridge, must be booked at the station or on the website of the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) (www.railway.co.th). As this trip is very popular with Thais, early booking is recommended! Please note that the train day trips are generally only offered from November to February, with one departure each Saturday and Sunday. Optionally, you can book smaller, paid excursions by minivan to visit the nearby dam, sunflower fields, etc. The train times for crossing the bridge (last checked on May 7, 2022) are: 9:33 a.m., 11:17 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:46 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. Please be aware that trains in Thailand are not always punctual. For the 2023 season, the train is scheduled to depart from Bang Sue Grand Station at approximately 6:00 AM. The route passes through Samsen, Bang Sue, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Don Mueang, Rangsit, Ayutthaya Junction, Saraburi, and Kaeng Khoi before reaching the bridge at approximately 10:30 AM. The train will stop there for 20 minutes to allow passengers to enjoy the view and take photos. It will then continue to the final stop at Khok Salung, where another 30-minute stop is planned for purchasing local products. Afterward, the train will return to the dam, giving passengers free time for lunch. The return journey is scheduled for approximately 3:30 PM, with arrival in Bangkok shortly before 7:00 PM.

To reach the Khok Salung railway bridge, as mentioned earlier, it is recommended to purchase a ticket for the SRT train excursion, which runs on Saturdays and Sundays for three months of the year. Alternatively, you can take a train on the Bua Yai Kaeng Khoi line or travel by car. The journey from Lopburi takes approximately one hour.

How to get there

How do you get to the Khok Salung Railway Bridge? As mentioned earlier, the best way to reach the Khok Salung Railway Bridge is by taking the SRT train, which runs three times a year on Saturdays and Sundays. Alternatively, you can take a train on the Bua Yai Kaeng Khoi line or drive. The journey from Lopburi takes about an hour.