Train service between Bangkok and Butterworth, resuming in July.
Thailand and Malaysia to Kickstart Stalled Train Links: Here's the Lowdown:
Welcome to the exciting news about Thailand and Malaysia rekindling their railroad connections, and planning new transportation links!
In the upcoming months, the train ride from Bangkok to Butterworth, the gateway to Penang, is all set to make a comeback. The service was put on hold back in 2016 when operations ceased beyond Padang Besar — a shared border train station. According to Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Thailand's Transport Minister, the rejuvenated service will commence no later than July 2025, he revealed during his talks with Malaysian counterpart Anthony Loke.
Talk about progress! Another joint endeavor is brewing – aiming to establish a direct train connection between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok by the end of 2025, riding on existing track infrastructure without needing new constructions. The collaborative efforts between Keretapi Tanah Malayu (KTM) and Thailand's State Railway (SRT) are centered around integrating shared ticketing and timetables.
On the expansion front, a new transit connection is proposed between Sungai Kolok in Thailand's Narathiwat province and Tumpat in Malaysia's Kelantan state. However, rehabilitating the track is necessary. Thailand has also floated suggestions to expand rail services to border towns in Malaysia, including Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas, with the aim of fueling local economies.
The ties between these dynamic Southeast Asian nations don't just stop at railway connections. A Single Window Inspection system is being developed to expedite cross-border freight movement. Additionally, digital driving license harmonization under ASEAN agreements is on the anvil to streamline operations.
All these developments are in line with the pledge made by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on more cross-border transportation options. The East Coast Rail Link in Malaysia and Thailand's high-speed rail projects are expected to drive long-term regional integration.
Sources:
- Thailand Railway News
- The Star Online
- The Nation
- Bangkok Post
- Malay Mail
- Jungrungruangkit, the Thailand Transport Minister, has announced that the suspended train service from Bangkok to Butterworth will be revived by July 2025.
- Plans are underway for a direct train connection between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok by the end of 2022, utilizing existing track infrastructure.
- A new transit connection is proposed between Sungai Kolok in Thailand and Tumpat in Malaysia, but rehabilitation of the track is needed first.
- Expanding rail services to border towns in Malaysia, such as Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas, is being considered to stimulate local economies and drive regional integration.
