20-8-2024 (BANGKOK) In a significant move to enhance regional connectivity and promote tourism, Thailand and Malaysia have announced plans to resurrect the direct train service between Bangkok and Butterworth, while also extending a popular Malaysian excursion train to include Surat Thani in Thailand.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), Malaysia’s national railway operator, have reached an agreement in principle to conduct a test run of the transnational service. This development comes after years of disconnection, with the previous Bangkok-Butterworth express service having been discontinued in 2016.
SRT deputy governor Awirut Thongnet revealed on Tuesday that a joint study would be undertaken to assess the feasibility of the proposal. The initial plan is to operate the service for a trial period of six months, allowing both nations to evaluate its success and potential long-term viability.
Currently, passengers travelling between Thailand and Malaysia by rail must disembark at Padang Besar, a border station shared by both countries in Songkhla province, and switch to a Malaysian train to continue their journey. The proposed direct service aims to eliminate this inconvenience, offering a seamless travel experience between Bangkok and Butterworth, a key gateway to the popular tourist destination of Penang island.
In a parallel development, the two railway agencies have agreed to extend the route of the Malaysian holiday excursion train, My Sawasdee. Presently terminating at Hat Yai in southern Thailand, the service will be extended to reach Surat Thani, a province renowned for its picturesque resort islands. This extension is expected to significantly boost tourism in the region, offering Malaysian visitors easier access to Thailand’s southern attractions.
The My Sawasdee train, which currently operates only during holidays, ferries Malaysian tourists from Kuala Lumpur and intermediate stops to Hat Yai, a city already popular among Malaysian visitors. The proposed extension to Surat Thani is likely to open up new avenues for cross-border tourism and cultural exchange.
These landmark decisions were reached during a meeting between the SRT and KTMB in Kota Kinabalu, located in Malaysia’s Sabah state. The announcement on Tuesday has been met with enthusiasm from both the tourism industry and frequent travellers between the two countries.
