SRT, KTMB Set To Revive Bangkok-Butterworth Train Service

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reports that Thailand and Malaysia have decided to bring back the direct train service between Bangkok, Padang Besar, and Butterworth.

The idea was approved in principle at the 42nd Joint Conference between the SRT and Malaysia's Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), which was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, last week, according to Ekkarat Sriarayanphong, Chief of the Governor's Office at SRT.

In 2016, SRT ceased operating its daily express train service between Bangkok and Butterworth, limiting the route only to Padang Besar, which is situated at the border between Malaysia and Thailand.

A collaborative working group will be established to study the prospect of restoring the extended rail line for a six-month trial run, Ekkarat said.

Ekkarat further emphasised that the revival of this train service is a component of a larger plan to improve rail connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand, to make travel easier, and to enable smooth cross-border cargo movement.

He underlined the potential advantages of expanding this train route, especially in terms of encouraging travel and raising the country's revenue.

Furthermore, the Malaysian vacation excursion train My Sawasdee, which now ends in Hat Yai, will have its route extended by SRT and KTMB to Surat Thani. However, no details were given on the precise timing of the train service's future extension.

Currently, My Sawasdee only runs during holiday seasons, transporting Malaysian visitors from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai, one of the country's most visited locations.

The meeting in Kota Kinabalu also touched on expanding cooperation in freight transport. Ekkarat stated that the SRT is keen to support cross-border freight services, particularly on routes within Thailand, such as the Padang Besar-Hat Yai route.