Chaiya Railway Station is a first-class railway station on the Southern Line that plays a very important role in the development of Chaiya in the modern era. The arrival of the railway more than 100 years ago not only changed the transportation system, but also changed the economic and social structure of the entire city, causing the center to move from the coastal area of ​​Phum Riang Subdistrict to the area around the station and giving rise to the “Talad Chaiya Subdistrict,” which became the new economic center of the district.

History of Southern Railway Construction

Chaiya Railway Station (abbreviation ชย.) was built during the development of the Southern Railway line in 1909–1916 to connect from Songkhla to Phetchaburi, with objectives in both transportation and national strategy in the era of colonial expansion in the region.

During construction, the railway tracks were elevated to be above flood level, and some of the soil was used to fill “Sra Manorah,” an ancient pond of Chaiya, reflecting a major landscape change in the city's history.

Changes in Chaiya

The arrival of the railway caused the administrative and economic center to move from Phum Riang Subdistrict to the railway station area, resulting in the establishment of many important government agencies around the area, including:

• Municipal office
• Chaiya District Police Station
• Chaiya Provincial Court
• Provincial Prosecutor's Office
• Chaiya Prison
• Chaiya Hospital
• Provincial Waterworks Authority
• Electricity Authority Office
• Many public and private schools
• Various commercial banks

These things made the area around the station become the “new Chaiya city center” completely.

The charm of Chaiya Market and the railway community lifestyle

The area in front of the station is the lively Chaiya Market, full of local restaurants, traditional Kopi-style coffee shops, and famous Chaiya salted eggs, which are considered a unique souvenir of the area.

The atmosphere in the morning and evening is especially lively with train passengers, merchants, and taxis that provide services, reflecting the railway community lifestyle that still has its traditional charm.

The gateway to Dharma and slow-life travel

Chaiya Railway Station is an important connecting point for travelers heading to Suan Mokkhabalaram and Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya, making this area not only a transportation point but also the starting point for spiritual journeys and cultural tourism.

Social roots and important families

After the development of the city around the station, the “Panich” family, the family of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, moved from Phum Riang Subdistrict to the Chaiya Market area to engage in commerce, showing the importance of this area as the new economic center of that era.

• Train: Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat and many Southern Line trains stop. The journey takes ~8–10 hours.
  Car: From Surat Thani city, take Highway 41 to Chaiya district

• The market is busiest from 06:00–08:00.

• Recommended to try breakfast and traditional coffee in front of the station.

• Buy Chaiya salted eggs as souvenirs immediately.

• There are taxis to Suan Mokkh and Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya.

• Suitable for taking pictures of the wooden building and the station sign.

Fare:

• Depends on the type of train and distance. Check via D-Ticket, State Railway of Thailand.

Opening hours:

• Open 24 hours (according to the train schedule)