Thailand and Malaysia set to re-establish the Bangkok-Butterworth rail connection this year to strengthen tourism ties between the two nations.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) have agreed to reinstate the Bangkok-Butterworth rail service this year. This decision, made during their 43rd joint conference in August, marks a significant step towards enhancing cross-border cooperation between the two countries.
The restored service will connect Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok with Padang Besar and onwards to Butterworth in Penang. Passengers no longer need to change trains at Padang Besar, as they currently do when travelling from Thailand to Penang by rail. Immigration checks for passengers will still take place at Padang Besar, but they will continue their journey on the same train to Butterworth.
The first train is expected to run within this year, improving passenger convenience and boosting tourism between the two countries. The service's restoration is a part of the broader theme "Railnaissance" or the revival of the railway system.
Key enhancements agreed upon for the service include advancing double-tracking projects, integrated ticketing systems for easier cross-border travel, coordinated rolling stock inspections and certifications, and unified emergency standard operating procedures. Both countries also plan joint marketing and promotion efforts to boost rail tourism along this route.
The restoration is expected to significantly improve cross-border travel convenience, reconnect communities, and stimulate tourism and economic activities in the border and surrounding regions. Discussions have also included potential extensions of rail links from the border town Sungai Golok to other Malaysian locations to further develop local economies.
Moreover, there is an ambition to revive a direct Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok train service within 2025, further enhancing connectivity between the two countries. The reinstated service will be similar to the existing Bangkok-Vientiane service, aiming to start no later than July 2025 or within the year.
The talks aimed to reinforce the strategic role of rail in ASEAN and work towards seamless regional connectivity. SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala described the talks as a major step in laying a firm foundation for long-term cooperation. The agreement aims to deepen cross-border cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia, contributing to ASEAN’s regional integration and sustainable transport efforts.
In conclusion, the revival of the Bangkok–Butterworth rail service marks a major milestone in ASEAN’s regional integration and sustainable transport efforts, promising greener and more seamless cross-border travel and tourism between Thailand and Malaysia.
- The restoration of the Bangkok-Butterworth rail service will not only improve cross-border travel convenience but also stimulate tourism and economic activities, primarily in the border regions and beyond.
- As part of the "Railnaissance" initiative, key enhancements to the revived rail service include improvements such as double-tracking, integrated ticketing systems, coordinated inspections and certifications, and unified emergency procedures.
- Both countries will collaborate on joint marketing and promotion efforts to boost rail tourism along the new route, with discussions extending to potential extensions of rail links to other Malaysian locations for further economic development.
- Ambitious plans are underway to revive a direct Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok train service within the next few years, further enhancing regional connectivity and sustainable transport efforts within ASEAN.
