History

The Department of Rail Transport was established in accordance with The Ministry and Departments Revision Act (No.18), B.E. 2562, which is listed in the Royal Gazette Volume 136 section 49 page 9 on 14 April 2019, and is effective on the day following the date of its publication in the Royal Gazette (i.e. 15 April 2019). The establishment was by raising and transferring business rights, liabilities and obligations Including government officials and employees of the Rail Project Development Office.

Then, at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 21 May 2019, the meeting passed a resolution approving Mr. Sarawut Songsivilai, Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, served as the first Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport. On the same day, Mr. Chaiwat Thongkoon, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport And the former director of OTP has signed a transfer order of Mr. Sorapong Paitoonphong, Assistant Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, to serve as Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport.

Later on 9 June 2019, H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua had the royal command to officially appoint Mr. Sarawut Songsivilai as Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport.