Seamless Train Travel: Thailand and Malaysia's Rail Revival
Train service between Bangkok and Butterworth set to restart in July.
Get ready for a smooth ride! Thailand and Malaysia are bringing back the iconic train line between Bangkok and Butterworth in as little as three months. This exciting move comes after high-level talks between the two nations, focusing on enhancing cross-border transport links.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit announced that the revived service won't keep passengers waiting any longer than July. He hailed this milestone as a significant step forward in the journey to connect the two countries.
Back in 2016, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) terminated the express train service from Bangkok to Butterworth, stopping the service at Padang Besar, a train station shared by Thailand and Malaysia. But now, the talk of the town is all about the return of this much-loved service.
KTMB, or Keretapi Tanah Malayu, the Malaysian counterpart of the SRT, is on board with this partnership. The resumed service is just the beginning, as plans are also in the works to establish a new train link between Sungai Kolok in Thailand's Narathiwat province and Tumpat in Malaysia's Kelantan state.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have agreed to speed up ties between the neighboring nations, with a focus on increasing cross-border transport options.
The revival of the Bangkok–Butterworth train service is predicted to supercharge tourism, trade, and economic cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia. Travelers and freight will benefit from a hassle-free connection, making it easier than ever to explore the region.
This move symbolizes the strengthening of the Thai-Malaysian bond and is expected to herald a new era in ASEAN rail connectivity. Some sources hint that a direct train service between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok may also be back on the tracks later in 2025, further cementing the partnership between these two vibrant nations. So, keep your eyes peeled for more surprises!
[1] ASEAN UP
[2] The Thaiger
[3] Bangkok Post
[4] The Malaysian Reserve
[5] New Straits Times
Finance sectors in Thailand and Malaysia might see increased revenue due to the boost in tourism and trade stemming from the resumed train service between Bangkok and Butterworth. This automotive- Independent partnership between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and its Malaysian counterpart, Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTMB), could also foster new opportunities in transportation, potentially expanding into automotive manufacturing in the future.
